Steve Lawrie believes the intercity drama will continue in the Scottish Hydro Electric Premier One programme when Watsonians take on Glasgow Hawks on Saturday (5 January, kick off 3pm).

Over 6,000 fans watched Edinburgh snatch a breathtaking win over neighbours Glasgow at the home of Scottish Rugby on 28 December and hooker Lawrie expects that same level of excitement to filter down to the meeting at Myreside.

Lawrie said: “I think it promises to be another exciting game. It will also be physical because it always is against them, but I’d like to think we will win. We beat them earlier on in the season, so hopefully we’ll get another win.”

The 23-year-old has been a pivotal player in Watsonians’ season so far and has flourished in the maroon and white – the colours worn with distinction by our club chairman Gavin Hastings during his playing days.

And the Edinburgh-born number two admits he is delighted to be given the chance to play regular rugby again after the rules restricting the use of professional players in Premier One were lifted.

He added: “I’m so pleased the ruling was changed about professional players playing for clubs because otherwise there would be so many guys going without rugby every week.

“I was at Watsons for four or five years, so I’ve got a good bunch of mates there and it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It is a good standard as well – particularly for a hooker. It is not an easy apprenticeship.”

Lawrie is fully aware as well that his form for Watsonians has been charted by coaches Andy Robinson and Rob Moffat and if he continues his good form then he will be handed a chance to shine at first team level.

He said: “In fairness to Andy and Rob they are speaking to the club coaches and getting feedback. Our form is also in the press in the Evening News on a Monday or in Scotland on Sunday, so they’ll know how you performed.

“You’d like to think that if you are doing well then you will get rewarded with a first team call-up – that is a big motivational factor.”

Meanwhile, points machine Ally Warnock is set to wear the black and amber of Currie again at GHA this Saturday as the reigning champions look to close the gap on runaway leaders Boroughmuir.

The Meggetland-based club will field lock Fergus Pringle at Hawick, who are expected to name prop Geoff Cross, who played a starring role in the recent first team win over Leinster.

Scotland A prop Ryan Grant is scheduled to feature up front for Stirling County against Dundee HSFP while Greig Laidlaw is expected to continue producing the heroics for Scotland’s oldest club, Edinburgh Accies at Ayr.

Flanker Scott Newlands – back from Sevens duties with Scotland – and centre Matt Dey, who has recovered from concussion suffered while on first team duty, are set to line up for Heriot’s against Melrose, who are expected to field Calum MacRae in the centre – should the back recover from a pulled muscle in time.

Edinburgh Rugby Club actively supports the rugby clubs in the district of Edinburgh, so if you are unable to make it down to watch the game at Cardiff on Friday night then why not get your weekly fix of live rugby by going to watch your local club?

Scottish Hydro Electric Premier One Fixtures (Saturday 4 January)

Ayr v Edinburgh Academicals
Stirling County v Dundee HSFP
GHA v Currie
Watsonians v Glasgow Hawks
Hawick v Boroughmuir
Heriot’s v Melrose