Currie hope lay-off has not knocked edge off their appetite

Currie coach Ben Cairns hopes his men can resume with the momentum they were building before an extended break at home to fellow BT Premiership play-off challengers Hawick tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Ryan Grant has been released by Glasgow Warriors to play for Currie

“Having not played for a month the players are desperate to get back into match action and hopefully continue the fine form we showed prior to Christmas,” he said. “This match will go a long way to deciding who will make the play-offs and we will be doing everything possible to make sure it’s us who come away with the spoils.”

Cairns has three Glasgow pros at his disposal: props Mike Cusack and Ryan Grant, as well as winger Rory Hughes who scored five tries in five matches during a recent loan spell with London Scottish.

Champions Heriot’s travel to face a Gala side battling to escape the bottom two places with the Goldenacre men knowing that defeat could see them slip from the top four if results elsewhere go against them.

“Both teams are playing for different stakes which means getting into the game quickly and taking your chances will be key,” said Heriot’s coach Phil Smith.

Meanwhile, a Boroughmuir side desperate for points to pull clear of the relegation zone are not underestimating the size of their task as they travel to face a Selkirk outfit that is already consigned to the drop.

Muir are bolstered by the inclusion of Edinburgh pros Otulea Katoa and Magnus Bradbury as well as the return from long-term injury of Academy players Scott Burnside and Jake Kerr, who start on the bench.

BT National Division One leaders Watsonians welcome GHA, while the Myreside men’s nearest challengers Marr are in the Capital to face fifth-placed Edinburgh Accies in a clash that could have a major bearing on the promotion race.

In Division One Musselburgh have a tough assignment at Jed-Forest and Stewart’s Melville welcome Dundee High.

Preston Lodge host Kirkcaldy in Division Two while Lasswade, who feature in a group of four needing wins to escape the relegation fight, head for Glasgow to meet Cartha Queens Park.

Haddington sit second in Division Three and can step up their promotion bid with a win at home to Perthshire while Livingston are on the road to play West of Scotland, and a win for RHC Cougars at home to Dalziel would move the Barnton men closer to safety.