Johnnie Beattie focused on repaying Ayr as he jumps on Birmingham bus
He travels with the Scottish Cup champions by coach south to Birmingham today where they will prepare for tomorrow's cup match against a side struggling at the foot of the English Championship, but buoyed by a double-header win over Doncaster Knights. Due to postponements through the winter period, that match was for league and British and Irish Cup points, and the 'Bees' of Birmingham nipped in and landed what was only their third win in 17 league games in a 35-29 thriller.
Ayr, meanwhile, are intent on bouncing back from their loss away to Pontypridd in the only match they have been able to play so far in the competition. They also have Ross Samson, the Edinburgh scrumn-half, in their squad, while Richard McCallum comes into the stand-off berth and Robbie Fergusson plays at outside centre partnering the older and experienced Mark Stewart, who is back from injury.
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Hide AdAfter getting over the surprise at finding he was ineligible for Glasgow's Heineken Cup matches Beattie is also focused on playing his part. "I am desperate to get back involved and get back to pro and international level," he said. "Absence does make the heart grow fonder and it has been hard watching Glasgow and Scotland for the first half of the season. But this weekend is about Ayr and nothing else for me. They have been great in allowing me the chance to play this weekend and hopefully next weekend too in their next cup match, and I just want to repay them by helping to play a part in getting a win at Birmingham."
Birmingham and Solihull: to be confirmed.
Ayr: G Anderson; D Steele, R Fergusson, M Stewart, C Taylor; R McCallum, AJ Macfarlane; G Reid, S Fenwick, A Kelly, D Kelly (capt), D Stewart, A Dunlop, R Colhoun, J Beattie. Subs: G Sykes, S Adair, S Nimmo, P McCallum, R Samson, S Manning, P Burke, G Swio.