Damien Kelly (Ayr) and Angus Martyn (Boroughmuir) have returned to the Scotland Club International pack to face Ireland at Myreside on Friday 13 March (kick-off 7.30pm) – admission is free.

Kelly and Martyn, who missed the side’s 13-12 defeat to France at the Stade Robert Diochon last month, will start at lock and open-side flanker respectively in place of Allan Kelly (Glasgow Hawks) and Andy Dunlop (Ayr) who drop to the bench at the expense of Andy Adam (Currie) and Dan Teague (EdinburghAccies).

Alasdhair Macfarlane (Ayr) and Colin Goudie (Heriot’s) have also earned a place in the starting line-up having benched against the French.

The pair come in as straight swaps for scrum-half Richard Snedden (Currie) and wing Callum Anderson (Melrose) however the inclusion of new addition Dave McCall (Heriot’s) means there is no pace in the 22 for Anderson.
 
Scotland team manager, Ian Rankin, said: “Damien [Kelly] has the experience of playing in the squad for the last few years and has been the heart of our pack – as well as being the cornerstone of the pack in the recent Ayr success [crowned Scottish Hydro Electric Premier Division One Champions at the weekend] so it’s good to have him back in the team.

“As for Gus [Martyn], well we looked at the make up of the Ireland squad and saw the need for an authentic seven. The Irish pack is going to be a handful, Gus has played at this level before and we need his experience.

“I think he’d agree that his form earlier in the season was not up to his usual high standards but he has forced his way back into the team with some great displays.”

Despite all of Scotland’s points against France coming from the boot of Scott Wight, Rankin is confident that the team has what it takes to cross the whitewash.

”We were very close to scoring on a couple of occasions but the French defence was outstanding to stop us”, added Rankin.

“We definitely have the ability to play heads up rugby, especially with the attacking prowess of guys like Lee Jones (Selkirk), Fraser Harkness (Selkirk) and Colin Goudie (Heriot’s) – you just have to read the papers to see that all these guys are on form for their club sides so hopefully they can take that form onto the pitch on Friday night.”

Scotland club international team to face Ireland at Myreside, Friday 13 March (kick-off 7.30pm)

15 Fraser Harkness (Selkirk)
14 Colin Goudie (Heriot’s)
13 Malcolm Clapperton (Boroughmuir)
12 Dougie Brown (Watsonians)
11 Lee Jones (Selkirk)

10 Scott Wight (Melrose)
9 Alasdhair Macfarlane (Ayr)

1 Alan Dymock (Heriot’s)
2 Pat MacArthur (Ayr)
3 Elliot McLaren (West of Scotland)
4 Damien Kelly (Ayr)
5 Scott Sutherland (Ayr)
6 John Dalziel (Melrose) CAPTAIN
8 Ross Weston (Currie)
7 Angus Martyn (Boroughmuir)

Replacements
16 Scott Burnett (Heriot’s)
17 Gordon Reid (Ayr)
18 Allan Kelly (Hawks)
19 Andy Dunlop (Ayr)
20 Richard Snedden (Currie)
21 Gavin Craig (Selkirk)
22 Dave McCall (Heriot’s)

• Admission to all Scotland age-grade home fixtures is free

REPRESENTATIVE AND AGE-GRADE FIXTURES
All Scotland home fixtures listed below are free to attend

Scotland Women
Friday 13 March – Scotland v Ireland, Meggetland (kick-off 7.30pm)
Saturday 21 March – England v Scotland, Esher RFC SW London (1.30pm)

Scotland under-20
Friday 13 March – Scotland under-20 v Ireland under-20, McDiarmid Park, Perth (kick-off, 7.30pm)
Friday 20 March – England under-20 v Scotland under-20, Sixways Stadium, Worcester (kick-off 8pm)

Scotland under-19
Saturday 4 April, France v Scotland under-19, Dourdan, (kick-off tbc)

Scotland under-18 6 Nations Festival preparation fixtures
Sunday 22 March – England under-18 v Scotland under-18, Kingston Park, Newcastle (kick-off 2pm)
Sunday 29 March – Scotland under-18 v The Boys Club of Wales, Bridgehaugh (kick-off tbc)
Sunday 5 April – Leicester Academy v Scotland under-18, Leicester (kick-off 12 noon)

Scotland under-17
Tuesday 7 April – England A v Scotland under-17, Millfield Festival, Somerset (kick-off 7pm)
Thursday 9 April – Scotland under-17 v Belgium, Millfield Festival (kick-off, 11.45am)
Sunday 12 April – Scotland under-17 v Wales A, Millfield Festival, (kick-off, 9.30am)

Scotland club international
Scotland club international v Ireland at Myreside, Friday 13 March (kick-off 7.30pm)