Blues' captain out for season
His absence will be keenly felt as he has been a virtual ever-present in the middle of the back row for the last three seasons since the retiral of Craig Wilson.
It remains to be seen to whom head coach Quintan Sanft will turn to fill this vital role, as no one else in the squad has had any real experience of this back row position.
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Hide AdAnother key decision will have to be made over who will fill the two lock positions. This is an area with real strength in depth, with James Pow, Connor Wood, Michael Harper and Steve Mitchell all in contention. Mitchell made a strong impression when he came on in the pack reshuffle last week after Neilson’s injury. It’s likely one of this quartet may well start at number 8.
The Blues will be wary of this Saturday’s opposition, Preston Lodge, who surprisingly beat league leaders Cartha QP last Saturday.
PL currently sit one league place and two points ahead of Kirkcaldy in the NL 2 table.
After their impressive win against Ardrossan, the Beveridge Park side will be anxious to record two successive wins, which they have failed to do so far this season.
The 2nd XV are also at home on Saturday (KO 3pm), playing erstwhile first XV opposition, Morgan Academy FP.