London Scottish club captain Lewis Calder is set to make his competitive debut at hooker against rivals London Welsh this weekend.
The 25-year-old can expect a tough introduction to life in the front-row when he faces up to a physically renowned Welsh pack at Monks Lane in week one of the British and Irish Cup.
Calder has turned out twice for local rivals Richmond this season in his unaccustomed position but this weekend will be an altogether different challenge for the former Scotland under-21 captain.
Nevertheless Acting Head Coach James Buckland, himself a hooker in his playing days, has backed his man to handle the heat.
He said: “Lewis has been an exceptionally good open side but we feel his future lies at hooker. He has got the build for it, the attitude and that tenacious edge.
“He played there in pre-season and got some game time out on loan for Richmond.
“We targeted this window to give him a shot. He will be involved in the next two games.”
Buckland continued: “Lewis has trained really well and works very hard. He is quite hard on himself with the specific skills involved at hooker and he will make a few mistakes. But we are backing him to come good.”
Scottish has made a good start to this season’s Greene King IPA Championship campaign winning three of their first four games.
This weekend’s opponents have fared even better winning all four games and sit top of the table ahead of a fortnight of Cup action.
“London Welsh are the team that stepped down but they have consolidated and have a big squad with Premiership experience,” Buckland said.
“They will make a few changes but it certainly won't hurt them.”
Reflecting on the season so far Buckland added: “Three from four isn't too bad. We have got some good finishers and Miles Mantella has managed to get himself over the line a few times.
“The league was always going to be tight. Bedford is at the wrong end of the table just now but they will come good as will Moseley.”
Listen to James Buckland's full audio interview here
London Scottish team to play London Welsh on Saturday October 12:
15, James Love, 14, Peter Homan, 13, Mike Doneghan, 12, PJ Gidow (c), 11, Miles Mantella, 10, Dan Newton, 9, Jamie Stevenson, 1, Jamie Kilbane, 2, Lewis Calder, 3, Tomas Francis, 4, Paul Spivey, 5, David Lyons, 6, Chevvy Pennycook, 7, Joe Trayfoot, 8, Ben Russell.
Replacements: 16, Harry Allen, 17, Mark Irish, 18, Lewis Thiede, 19, Mark Bright, 20, Ben Pattenden (London Scottish Academy), 21, Oli Grove, 22, Andy Reay.
London Welsh:
15. Alan Awcock, 14. Joe Ajuwa, 13. Dante Mama, 12. Sonny Parker, 11. Nick Scott, 10. Will Robinson, 9. Alex Davies, 1. Billy Moss, 2. Kevin Davis, 3. James Tideswell, 4. Mitch Lees, 5. Ben West, 6. Richard Thorpe, 7. Mike Denbee, 8. Ben Pienaar (c).
Replacements: 16. Alec Hepburn, 17, Andy Titterrell, 18, Peter Edwards, 19. Daniel Browne, 20. Carl Kirwan, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Ollie Frost.
