Will ex-Scotland internationalists inspire ORFC to victory?

Orkney RFC welcome third-placed Midlothian side Lasswade RFC to Pickaquoy’s centre pitch this Saturday, hoping that some midweek training from two Scottish ex-internationalists will provide the magic touch in their fifth league game of the season.

Scotland’s record cap and points holder Chris Paterson and Nathan Hines, who was part of the Penguins side who played Orkney as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations in August, held a Pro-Coach Masterclass session in Kirkwall on Wednesday night, providing Orkney’s players with the opportunity to learn from a duo who gained a total of 186 Scotland caps during their playing careers.

Orkney condemned Perthshire to a fourth straight defeat last Saturday with a 29-15 away bonus point victory, however this Saturday’s match looks set to be a tough test for the islanders, with Lasswade sitting two points behind the early pace-setters Dumfries Saints and St Boswell and five points ahead of their hosts.

Relegated from BT National League Division 2 last season, the Swades have suffered one defeat from their four league games so far this season, and last Saturday overcame Orkney’s rivals Highland 22-21.

The match is due to kick-off at 3pm.