Curle named Scotland Club XV captain

Ayr centre, Ross Curle will captain Scotland Club XV for their opening match of 2015, at a new venue and time this Friday (6 February).Curle, who will pull on the Club XV jersey for the fifth time, will be supported by vice-captain and Currie number 8, Ross Weston, at Netherdale in Galashiels at the revised time of 6.30pm.Scotland Club XV will meet Ireland Club XV at the home of BT Premiership side Gala, in the annual Dalriada Cup clash.The match was originally destined for Old Anniesland, home of Glasgow Hawks, however, due to freezing conditions in the city, the fixture has been relocated. Head Coach, Phil Smith, said: “I have put a captain in place who has the respect of the players and who has been involved with this team before. We have seven new caps and I will look to Ross and the senior players to guide them through the early part of this process.Smith has named seven new caps in the starting XV and four on the bench: Hawick winger Scott McLeod, Melrose prop Nick Beavon, Gala hooker Russell Anderson, Boroughmuir lock Iain Moody; and Heriot’s trio Graham Wilson (scrum-half), Liam Steele (centre) and Russell Nimmo (lock) are the starting debutants.Heriot’s stand-off Gregor McNeish, Hawick prop Shawn Muir and back-rows Tommy Spinks (Glasgow Hawks) and Peter Eccles (Melrose) could win their first caps from the bench.Smith continued: “Picking seven debutants shows that we are selecting players from the club game who are on form. It is my intention to reward players for their consistent and excellent efforts in the league.The remainder of the starting XV is made up of Melrose full-back Fraser Thomson, Ayr wing Craig Gossman, Heriot’s stand-off Stuart Edwards, prop Struan Cessford and back-rows Jason Hill (Heriot’s) and Will Bordill (Ayr).Smith concluded: “The personnel I have picked want to challenge Ireland physically, as well as create as much mobility as possible.We don’t want to go to war upfront on Friday night. We want to move them and put them under pressure, as we target a win. “Ireland will be a bit of an unknown quantity, but I know they will be a very good team filled with quality players. We will have to be at the top of our game from 1 to 23.Tickets for Friday’s game are available for£12 for adults on the gate, while under-18s go free. Scotland Season Pass holders have free access to all Scotland’s home representative fixtures in 2015.Supporters who have purchased tickets for Old Anniesland already can still attend the game with the ticket they have. Scotland Club XV team to pay Ireland Club XV at Netherdale, Galashiels on Friday 6 February (kick-off 6.30pm): 15 Fraser Thomson (Melrose) 14 Craig Gossman (Ayr)13 Liam Steele (Heriot’s)*12 Ross Curle (Ayr) CAPTAIN11 Scott McLeod (Hawick)* 10 Stuart Edwards (Heriot’s)9 Graham Wilson (Heriot’s)* 1 Nick Beavon (Melrose)*2 Russell Anderson (Gala)*3 Struan Cessford (Heriot’s)4 Russell Nimmo (Heriot’s)*5 Iain Moody (Boroughmuir)*6 Jason Hill (Heriot’s)7 Will Bordill (Ayr)8 Ross Weston (Currie) VICE-CAPTAIN Replacements: 16 Fergus Scott (Ayr)**17 Ewan McQuillin (Melrose)18 Shawn Muir (Hawick)*19 Peter Eccles (Melrose)*20 Tommy Spinks (Glasgow Hawks) *|**21 George Graham (Gala)22 Gregor McNeish (Heriot’s)*23 Chris Auld (Gala)** * Denotes debutant** Denotes BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy Stage 3 Player 2014/15