Jed-Forest and Glasgow Hawks in Decisive Play-off

This Saturday’s BT Premiership play-off will see National League 1 runners-up Jed-Forest take on Glasgow Hawks at Hawthornden. The stakes are high as the Borders side aim for promotion to the Premiership while Hawks fight to avoid relegation.

There are several changes to the Jed-Forest team who took a 29-43 victory over Dundee in the last round of BT National League 1, with Cameron McKay starting at hooker and forwards Jamie Oliver and Joe Northwood promoted from the bench to the starting XV.

Ross Thompson returns to Glasgow Hawks’ starting team after impressing with Scotland U20 as do Mark New and Kyle Rowe. Paul Cairncross is on the bench as Grant Stewart has returned from his extended stay with Glasgow Warriors.

Ali Campbell, Jed-Forest’s Director of Rugby said: “Jed-Forest RFC travel to Lasswade on Saturday with a full squad ready for the challenge of the play off.

“The game will prove a tough test for us playing against Hawks – a well established premiership team who won’t be wanting to be relegated.

“We are a small Borders town and these opportunities don’t come round very often so we are looking to grab it with both hands and get back into the Premiership.”

Glasgow Hawks’ Head Coach Finlay Gillies said: “This is a huge day for both clubs and we really understand the enormity of the occasion for us at Glasgow Hawks.

“Both teams are coming into this match with very different form figures and we have to ensure that we don’t let Jed settle into the game. We have prepared for this very well over the last 6 weeks and the players are in much better shape both mentally and physically.

“The players know what is expected of them and I have no doubt in my mind that every man lucky enough to pull on a Glasgow Hawks jersey at the weekend will do everything in his power to make sure that Glasgow Hawks will be playing Premiership rugby next season.”

BT Premiership / National League 1 Play-off – Saturday 5 May

Jed-Forest v Glasgow Hawks, Hawthornden, Lasswade RFC, 3pm

Jed-Forest: Lewis Young, Gregor Young CAPTAIN, Robbie Yourston, Monty Mitchell, Rory Marshall, Ewan Scott, Sean Goodfellow, Ryan Gibson, Cameron Mackay, Jamie Oliver, Clark Skeldon, Gregor Law, Blake Roff, Joe Northwood, Darren Gillespie

Replacements: Connor Hogg, Finlay Scott, Grant Paxton, Daniel Wardrop, Jamie Hynd, Elliot Stewart, Callum Young

Glasgow Hawks: Scott Peffers, Kyle Rowe, Brendan McGroarty CAPTAIN, Mark New, Bobbie Beattie, Ross Thompson, Paddy Boyer, Steven Findlay, Grant Stewart, Gary Strain, Andy Linton, Fraser Hastie, Callum Kerr, Stephen Leckey, Gary Adams

Replacements: Paul Cairncross, Lewis Skinner, Callum Duke, Erlend Oag, Liam Brimms, Callum Harrison, Sam Yawayawa