David Blair admits he is excited to be on the threshold of making his debut for Selkirk tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 22 November, kick off 12.15pm) against Currie at Malleny Park.

Despite being educated at Edinburgh Academy and helping Accies’ survive the drop from Premier One last season, stand-off Blair was drafted by recently promoted Selkirk.

Now the 23-year-old, nicknamed Razor, is preparing to wear the colours of the Borders club in Balerno this weekend; something he is looking forward to.

David and his big brother Mike will be back in Red and Black next Friday when the 2007 Magners League champions, Ospreys fly into EH12 forwhat promises to be a memorable clash. Call 0131 346 5180 to book your seat (Adults: £15, Concessions: £10, Juniors: £5) and become part of a club that an inspirational capital can be proud of.

Blair said: “I went down last night (Thursday) and trained with Sean (Crombie), Ben (Meyer) and Crossy (Simon Cross).

“They seem to be a good bunch of guys and I’m really looking forward to playing because I haven’t played a great deal of rugby this year.

“Last Thursday’s back-up game was my first full 80 minutes of the season, so I just want to play. I’m just really glad that Selkirk have given me an opportunity to get some game-time.”

Blair produced a stunning ‘show and go’ during the short-lived friendly match against Georgia that his older brother, Mike would have been proud of.

And the skilful playmaker says that he has benefited from working with legendary Scotland stand-off and Edinburgh half-back coach Gregor Townsend.

He added: “I have been working with Gregor on how to attack the line. It has taken me a while to adapt to that, but fly-halves nowadays have to be an attacking threat.”

This weekend, Matt Dey will be representing his third capital club, his school FP side, Stewart’s-Melville, Heriot’s and now he will make his debut for Edinburgh Academicals at Raeburn Place against Boroughmuir.

The Scotland A centre has not played competitive rugby for five months after undergoing shoulder surgery immediately after the Churchill Cup in the summer.

As a result, Dey says he is looking forward to linking up his Accies’ stand-off Alex Blair, the youngest brother of close friend Mike, even though he admits it will be slightly odd because he has known him since he was a child.

Dey said: “After spending five months out through injury, I am just happy to be back playing again and fortunate enough to have been selected by Accies.

“I’m hoping to help contribute to a derby win over Boroughmuir, although it will be a wee bit weird playing alongside Alex because I’ve known him since he was about eight years old.
“He will be the third Blair brother I’ve played alongside and it should be a good game.”

Greig Laidlaw is also available for selection for Accies this weekend while ‘Muir have hooker Steve Lawrie and Scotland 7’s new boy Fraser McKenzie in their squad.

Both Andrew Easson and Andrew Turnbull are available for Currie for the match against Selkirk while Bruce McNeil is available for Hawick against a Heriot’s team containing Jim Thompson and Marc Teague.

Remember Edinburgh Rugby Club actively promotes and supports all of the rugby clubs from in and around the district of Edinburgh, so why not pop along and get your fix of live rugby action this weekend by visiting your local Scottish Hydro Electric Premier One team.

Saturday, 22 November 2008
Currie v Selkirk , 12:15pm
Edinburgh Academicals v Boroughmuir, midday
Hawick v Heriot’s, 12.15pm
Melrose v Ayr, 12.15pm