Caledonian rugby will play second fiddle to the Scotland versus Australia game at Murrayfield on Saturday, with only a handful of games being played in the lower divisions – in addition to two key games in the National Shield and Caledonian Regional Bowl.
The most eye-catching clash in Caley Division One is at Thurso, where Caithness and Aberdeenshire will battle to claim fourth place, while leaders Dunfermline can move five points above Ellon, who are not in action, should they beat lowly Hillfoots at home.
In the only other game in the league, Aberdeen Wanderers will be bidding to win their first game of the season, but, even with home advantage, are likely to find third-placed Grangemouth Stags a handful.
There is only one game in Caley Two North, but it is a significant one at Rubislaw where winless 2nd Aberdeen Grammar take on their Highland counterparts in a game which gives the two clubs an opportunity to demonstrate their strength in depth.
To date, Grammar’s reserves are winless, while Highland sit second to Moray – having won five of their six starts.
The only game in Caley Three North is in the northern section, where basement clubs 2nd Caithness and Inverness Craig Dunain clash at Millbank.
Moray test themselves in National Shield v ‘big beasts’ Ellon
The gap in fixtures in the Caley area gives Moray the opportunity to play their National Shield tie against Ellon.
It is a big step up for the Elgin side, but, for player-coach Cameron Hughes, it is chance to “test ourselves against one of the big beasts of the Caley game”.
In the Caledonian Regional Bowl, Mackie meet Aberdeen University Medics at Redcloak. The students will bid to get back to Murrayfield at the end of the season having been beaten in the final of the competition in 2018.
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