Highland 'desperate' for return to action after three-week lay-off
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Two games against Hillfoots were postponed, meaning Carson has had to prepare his squad for this weekend’s trip to RAF Lossiemouth in training only.
However, with high numbers at training there is competition for places in both the first and second XV squads. The first XV squad remains largely unchanged with only Tam Magowan and Oscar Baird missing. Both have been given a rest due to niggling injuries and Iain Crush and Grant Jamieson come in to cover the same positions, the latter making his first XV debut.
Lossiemouth present somewhat of an unknown quantity to the Canal Park side but Carson believes this will matter little come kick-off.
“It’ll probably take about 20 minutes or so to get our shape back but the boys are desperate to play,” he said. “They can change their side dependant on who is on base at the time but if we play to our potential, then I’d be confident of us getting the win.”
The RAF side have had a fairly good run so far after stepping up a league yet they will be up against an on-form Highland side that will be going out to secure a bonus-point win to keep up the challenge for the league title.
Highland currently sit third with a game in hand but they will have to wait and see what punishment is handed down to Hillfoots, which could include suspension from the league and two games less to play.
Jamieson’s debut tomorrow is something that Carson is excited about and is keen to see how the second row gets on in his first-team bow.
“He was man-of-the-match for the seconds and we’re throwing him straight in. He’s turned up really well in training, is an excellent baller and looks like he could be a great addition to the side, which already has great depth,” he said.
The second XV have a home fixture after a good number of games on the road and they take on Banff at Canal Park. The squad has continued to improve and the competition for places fuels that improvement.
Coaches James Hay and Alastair McKenzie will have a strong squad to take on a Banff side that has not played a lot of games, with a bonus-point win needed to keep up the title chase.
First-team coaches Bruce MacGregor and Alisdair Wemyss will be watching the seconds’ game to further assess those players likely to make the move up.
The junior sides are still on their league break but the Minis and Micros return to training this Sunday at 11am.
