Caithness derby can shake off Highland rust
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THE rivalry of a north derby is the perfect antidote for a dormant few weeks for Highland.
Head coach Dave Carson hopes the intensity of taking on rivals Caithness can help the Inverness side shake off the rustiness that comes with playing just once in five weeks.
Last weekend’s game with Glenrothes was called off because of the cold snap in the Highland Capital, meaning Carson has had to relay on training sessions to get his side match-ready.
However, despite the frustration that comes with a lack of competitive action, Carson knows his side will be up for tomorrow’s battle.
"There’s definitely a rivalry between the two sides. Our guys know a lot of the players up there and there’s always a bit of jibing going on," he said.
"We know it will be a tough game — no one goes up to Caithness and expects them to roll over."
He added that he does not expect a pretty game between the two sides and that it will be decided by whoever wins the forward battle.
"The pitch is going to be heavy but that’s going to be the same with rugby pitches all over Scotland right now," said Carson. "We were over the moon with the win against them earlier in the season, when our pitch was good and there was a lot of running rugby. But tomorrow will be a battle for the forwards."
Carson has no fresh injury concerns heading into the game and will have James Taylor returning to the squad following a rib injury.
Taylor was due to make his comeback against Glenrothes last weekend and Carson admits it has been frustrating for the second-row man to be on the sidelines.
"He’s been out since the end of September and was in a lot of discomfort. But there’s nothing you can do with injuries like that and he’s just had to bide his time," he said.
"He’s a big fella and we’ve missed him. It’s good to have him back and he’ll add a bit of experience to the side."
Two places and 11 points separate the two north sides in the table and Highland took the spoils in the early-season encounter at Canal Park.
Caithness changed coaches before the season, the departing Colin Sangster replaced by Russell Mill and it may have taken time for the latter to implement his new ideas.
"The new head coach will have been trying to stamp his authority on the side and get his ideas across. They were higher up the table last season and may be disappointed with how their season has gone so far," said Carson.
With the season approaching its half-way stage, Carson can see both positives and negatives from their first nine games.
"It’s obviously disappointing to lose three games but if you look at the teams we put out, there were nine or 10 missing from the cup final side," he said. "But it’s given the chance for some of the young boys to be blooded and for a change, we’ve managed to keep a lot of our successful under-18 boys.
"It’s a bit quicker and the hits are a bit harder, but they’re gaining experience all the time."
