BT Cup

SEMI-FINALS

Watsonians v Melrose

Jamie Mayer has given up all hope of returning to pro rugby, and vowed to help Watsonians continue their resurgence, after returning to Myreside from Leeds Tykes. ''Knowing my leg would never be strong enough to allow me to play on the Test scene again, there was no point in striving to get back to the pro ranks,'' he said. ''I have my future to think about and my priority is to find a long-term career, hopefully in Edinburgh. There is no reason I can't keep playing for Sonians in the top flight next season.''

Mayer will be up against another former Scotland midfielder, Graham Shiel, who returned to Melrose after terminating his Edinburgh contract mid-season, and is determined to make his first senior appearance for the club at Murrayfield. ''I was injured for the 1996 final, and was ineligible as a pro three years later,'' he said. Watsonians coach Gary Callander has Bernie Hennessy at stand-off and Colin Lawson at full-back, so Scotland Sevens star Colin Gregor is a sub. Melrose have Bruce Ruthven on the left wing, while Ian Cornwall switches to tighthead. Jon Bradburn gets the nod at No.4, which pushes Toby Lynn to the back-row and Alec Clark to the bench.

Forecast Mayer merrier than Shiel

Boroughmuir v Heriot's FP

Heriot's are boosted by the return of centre Nick Armstrong and Hugh Gilmour. Coach Phil Smith said: ''I suppose it is my dream team with everyone available for once. It was hard to pick the starting XV. Andy Wilson was close to getting the nod for full back ahead of Calum MacRae, which underlines our strength in depth. There is plenty of incentive for all of us, particularly Hugh and Tam McVie, who have won league medals, but never got close in the cup.''

For Muir, Tommy McGee is back on front-row duty after suspension.

Forecast Smith's dream-team to shine

BT Premiership 1

Glasgow Hawks v Aberdeen HSFP

Hawks seek revenge in the wake of their hammering in last weekend's IT final at Rubislaw. ''Grammar played fantastic rugby up there, but we are confident we can plug the holes,'' said Jim Barrie, Hawks' backs coach. They are without Kenny Sinclair and Steve Swindall, but welcome back Graham Morrison, Colin Shaw, and Kenny Barclay. Brian Clark, the Aberdeen manager, said: ''We are looking to build on our IT success and end our league campaign with a bang.'' Luke McCann switches from stand-off to centre with Murray Strang recalled at No.10. In the back-row, John McKenzie replaces Rory McKay and Ally Thompson is in for Dan Teague.

Forecast Hawks to claw back pride

Jed-Forest v Hawick

Jed are boosted by the early return from Far East sevens duty of Mark Lee and Clark Laidlaw for the game which doubles as a Border League clash. There is doubt over midfielder Gary McGarva.

The Australian Takiari brothers, Troy and Tyson, team up for Hawick for the first time in a league match, while Joe Pattison is back at centre after recovering from a car crash. Neil Stenhouse takes over the captaincy from Matt Landels.

Forecast Jed to prevail

Currie v Stirling County

Both sides seek the victory which will ease fears of relegation. County are in more danger, four points adrift of today's opponents and with two matches against Heriot's to come. Mike Duncan is back from New Zealand and will be at No.10 for Currie, while Andy Kelly will start if not used by Edinburgh last night.

Stirling are without Millan Browne and flanker Colin Eadie, who has been plagued by a neck injury.

Forecast Curtains for County

BT Shield

SEMI-FINALS

Ardrossan Acad v Dundee HSFP

Dundee made a successful incursion into Ayrshire to beat Ayr at Millbrae in the Combined Tournament, but they are not treating Ardrossan lightly ''since any team which has got this far has earned respect'' according to former All Black Jason Hewett, scrum half and coach of the Mayfield team. ''All our matches now are big games,'' he said, ''and that has created a real buzz around the club.'' There will be late fitness tests at Memorial Field where a few players are still carrying bumps from the quarter-final against Caithness. ''We had a poor first half but then came good,'' said coach Alan Hogarth, ''but we can't do that against Dundee. This is a huge match for us and if we cannot play above ourselves, then I will be disappointed because there is no doubt that we can get a result.''

Forecast Dundee's experience and firepower too much for Accies

Preston Lodge v Ellon

PL have won promotion to Premiership 3 and are a step away from Murrayfield and now face Ellon with no injuries but the nagging worry that their form has shaded since promotion was secured. ''There is no way we will underestimate Ellon,'' said president George Patterson. ''This is almost our final and we hope we will have a big crowd at Pennnypit.'' Ellon's Kevin Wyness said: ''We are used to being on the road now and have a couple of things up our sleeves. Win or lose, we will be out to enjoy the match .''

Forecast Ellon to make it two seasons in a row at Finals Day

BT Bowl

SEMI-FINALS

Annan v Hawick YM

The gulf between the sides is four divisions but YM president, Raymond Corbett said: ''We know we can compete, but we don't know if we can compete for 80 minutes. We've virtually clinched our league title and will be in NL4 next season. This would be the icing on the cake.''

Annan came good in the second half of last Sunday's quarter-final to beat Garnock 31-8. Spokesman Donald Watson said: ''We made it to the semis several years ago, but this time we intend to go one better. We don't know that much about YM, but we don't expect an easy game.''

Forecast Annan to go one better

Irvine v Stewartry

Irvine coach, Allan Wilson is confident his side can reach Murrayfield. ''Our intention is to try to move their big forwards about, tire them out,'' he said. The tie kicks off at 2.30pm to allow Stewartry prop Stuart Fenwick time to play before he leaves with the Scottish under-19 squad for the FIRA tournament. President John Low said. ''In his first year in charge last year, coach Davie Borland got us to Murrayfield, and he plans to make it two in a row. Obviously, we'd prefer to be at home, and we'd prefer to be the underdogs, but we're confident. Our strength is in the pack, but we're not just a 10-man team.''

Forecast Stewartry to shade it

BT Premiership 3

Corstorphine look to reverse their earlier defeat against East Kilbride who have lost their way and though their league position won't change, it will give them a lift going into their final game next week against Ross High. Dunfermline face a Musselburgh side who now lie only one place above them in the table and with Musselburgh's final match away to Dundee and Dunfermline due to travel to EK, the incentive is there to end the season matching today's opponents on points if not goal difference.

David Kelso, Alan Christie,

Stuart Sutherland