After both sides claimed close-run victories in round one of the IDC, they have named strong squads as they look to protect an undefeated start to the campaign.

Knowing their formidable opposition, Glasgow have opted to rotate their starting props, bringing in Michael Fox (GHA) and Brandon Sweet (Marr), and Tom Martin (Ayr) earns a start at hooker after a strong showing from the bench last week.

Glasgow head coach Kenny Diffenthal said his side will be looking to go toe to toe with The South at their home: “Never having played The South we are in uncharted territory, but we know from last year’s performances and their fightback against Edinburgh last week it will be a tough and extremely demanding encounter. They have a big physical pack and a set of talented backs, so we need to be able to match this challenge and go toe to toe with them.

“We need to be patient and precise in defence, soak up any pressure and counter as and when the opportunities present.   We aim to build on last week’s performance and make sure we continue the momentum,” Diffenthal added.

The South head coach Matty Douglas made comment of how difficult selection was this week, having lost Aaron McCombe and Andrew Mitchell to niggling injuries.

“However we have great replacements available, so our team is strong and well balanced. The pack carries a strong club identity with very sturdy back up. Our bench remains very strong,” he said.

“In the backs we introduce Archie Barbour of Kelso for his first match on his home ground. We are excited to see what Archie can achieve at this level.

“Everyone in the borders is looking forward to welcoming a strong and buoyant Glasgow to Poynder Park. We will have a warm welcome ready for them and hope to see a good crowd at the game to support the players in providing a real spectacle.”

On the other side of the draw, Edinburgh host 2023 IDC champions Caledonia Reds at Raeburn Place. Both will look to put their round one loss behind them so they can be in with a chance to win the competition come the final weekend.

Caledonia Reds have also chosen to shift their pack around, making three changes to the starting line-up this week.

Bryce Robertson has been selected at hooker ahead of Fraser Allan who drops out of the squad. Connor Faulds has been selected at full-back, with Adriu Muritoki moving to the wing and Ryan Flett dropping out of the squad. Meanwhile, DJ Innes returns from injury to start at 12 with Murray Mitchell dropping to the bench.

Caledonia Reds head coach Colin Sangster said his side is raring to go, but knows full well the danger that Edinburgh presents.

“Following on from last week’s narrow loss to Glasgow, the players are excited to take on Edinburgh this weekend. Last week we lost a close game with Glasgow, which could have gone either way and given the closeness of Edinburgh’s first game, it’s clear that these are games of fine margins.

“Edinburgh were unlucky not to get the win, where, especially in the first half they played some great rugby against a strong South team. So, we need to raise our game up a notch or two and I have no doubt that our squad will rise to the challenge,” Sangster added.

Sangster’s opposite number, Edinburgh head coach Bob McKillop, said his coaching team was pleased with much of the performance, resilience and bravery the team showed to fight back and almost win in the previous week.

“After the initial disappointment the squad, led by the senior players, have identified the areas they’d like to improve upon, but also the areas of strength that we all want to see more of.

“We lost a wee bit of momentum in the third quarter last week, without that we would have won. This week we will be desperate to play for the full 80 minutes,” McKillop said.

IDC ROUND TWO:

Saturday 30 March
Edinburgh v Caledonia Reds
Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, 3PM KO

Saturday 30 March
The South v Glasgow & The West
Poynder Park, Kelso, 3PM KO

TEAM SHEETS FOR ROUND TWO:

Edinburgh:

15. Charlie Brett (Captain), Currie
14. Rory Hindhaugh, Musselburgh
13. Robbie Kent, Edinburgh Accies
12. Neil Armstrong, Edinburgh Accies
11. Ryan Daley, Currie
10. Jamie Forbes, Currie
9. Gregor Christie, Currie

1. Ross Dunbar, Edinburgh Accies
2. Cal Davies, Edinburgh Accies
3. Graeme Carson, Currie
4. Struan Whittaker, Edinburgh Accies
5. Michael Badenhorst, Musselburgh
6. Ali Bain, Currie
7. Rory Kirkpatrick, Heriot’s
8. Jamie Sole, Edinburgh Accies

REPLACEMENTS
16. Ryan Stewart, Currie
17. Cole Imrie, Edinburgh Accies
18. Arran Hain, Edinburgh Accies
19. Josh Minty, Watsonian FC
20. Stu Allison, Watsonian FC
21. Danny Owenson, Musselburgh
22. Scott Clark, Preston Lodge
23. Rory Watt, Musselburgh

Caledonia Reds:

15. Connor Faulds, Falkirk
14. Adriu Muritoki, Highland
13. Max Wallace, Edinburgh Accies / Deeside
12. DJ Innes, Currie Chieftains / Grangemouth
11. Magnus Henry, Highland
10. Callum Beckett, Currie Chieftains / Stirling County
9. Harry Russell (Captain), Falkirk

1. Stephen Murray, Highland
2. Bryce Robertson, Watsonians / Stirling County
3. Struan Cessford (vc), Heriots / Dundee
4. Connor MacFarlane, Aberdeenshire / Grangemouth
5. Malachy Keough, Heriots / High School of Dundee
6. Calum Macpherson, Highland
7. Sam Cardosi, Currie Chieftains / Dundee
8. Alistair Johnstone, Heriots / Dollar Academy

REPLACEMENTS
16. Scott Rendall, Orkney
17. Glen Brough, Gala / Orkney
18. Ross Brown, Musselburgh / Ellon
19. Struan Robertson, Gordonians / Strathallan & Kirkcaldy
20. Rory Brown, Kirkcaldy
21. Fionnlagh Call, Musselburgh / Highland
22. Glen Faulds, Falkirk
23. Murray Mitchell, Strathmore

Glasgow & the West District:

15. Torquil MacLeod
14. Scott Bickerstaff
13. Charlie Lonegran
12. Conor Bickerstaff (Captain)
11. Tom Lanni
10. Colin Sturgeon
9. Grant Baird

1. Brandon Sweet
2. Tom Martin
3. Michael Fox
4. David Andrew
5. Stephen Leckey
6. Rohan Pottie
7. Mark Mccornick (vc)
8. Blair Jardine

REPLACEMENTS
16. Dario Ewing
17. Alex Apthorpe
18. Ali Rogers
19. Ruairidh Airlie
20. Luke Mccutcheon
21. Robbie Baird
22. Max Mcfarlane
23. Jake Jacobson

The South:

15. Kirk Ford, Hawick
14. Archie Barbour, Kelso
13. Dwain Patterson, Kelso
12. Frankie Robson, Kelso
11. Callum Anderson, Selkirk
10. Struan Hutchison (vc), Melrose
9. Andy Tait, Kelso

1. Shawn Muir (Captain), Hawick
2. Fraser Renwick, Hawick
3. Nicky Little, Hawick
4. Dalton Redpath, Hawick
5. Keith Melbourne, Kelso
6. Connor Sutherland, Hawick
7. Calum Renwick, Hawick
8. Jae Linton, Hawick

REPLACEMENTS

16. Ross Graham, Hawick
17. Grant Shiells, Kelso
18. Terry Logan, Kelso
19. Bruce McNeil, Kelso
20. Angus Dun, Gala
21. Douglas Crawford, Melrose
22. Josh Welsh, Selkirk
23. Ben Gill, Gala