British & Irish Cup: Kalman and Welsh boost Stirling ranks for Bedford Blues test Two props who turned out for Scotland in the RBS Six Nations last year will continue their respective returns to fitness this afternoon when they aim to help Stirling County secure a third victory in the British & Irish Cup. County face a tough task at Bridgehaugh against Bedford Blues who are in the top half of the English Championship and who defeated the Scots 87-10 earlier in the season. However, they have been boosted by the release of Ed Kalman, who came off the bench for Scotland against Wales and France last year, and Jon Welsh, who started against Italy in 2012 for the national team, from Glasgow Warriors for the encounter. Kalman will start in the front-row along with captain Alex Moffat and Mike McDonald while Welsh will likely come off the bench in the second half alongside exciting young players Colin Hutton and Reyner Kennedy to boost that part of the team. Centre Mark Bennett is also released by Warriors to start and ahead of the match County head coach Graeme Young said: "In our last outing Bedford impressed with their speed of rucking and pace of ball transfer in the backs. It certainly was one of the fastest games I have experienced and we were left in no doubt of their capability. We have worked hard at training in the last few weeks and have had a good run of results. We are excited to welcome a side of Bedford's quality to Bridgehaugh and will throw everything we have at them to entertain our supporters. County, who recorded a superb 26-25 win over Bedwas in Wales in this competition prior to Christmas, need a miracle in the next fortnight to pip Bedford to first place in Pool Two and a spot in the quarter-finals, but they will want to end their first ever foray into the event on a high this week and next when they face Neath. Elsewhere today Gala, currently second in Pool Six, know a victory at home to Llanelli will put pressure on leaders Moseley. And if they are victorious in front of what is set to be a big crowd it would be their third home win out of three and set up a cracker at London Scottish next weekend. They have been given a boost by the return of Euan Dods to the key No 8 spot. Melrose are away at Llandovery in Pool Eight looking for their second win in the cross-border event. Callum Anderson is on the wing after returning to the club from Aberdeen Grammar having moved back to the Borders for work. Tomorrow Dundee HSFP are away at the Cornish Pirates in Pool Three with Scotland cap Rory Lamont still in the ranks and Glasgow Warriors" James Johnstone on the wing. Squads: Stirling County (v Bedford Blues at Bridgehaugh today at 2pm): J Hope; B McGuigan, M Bennett, B Archibald, R Hughes; S Edwards, S Kennedy; M McDonald, A Moffat, E Kalman, R Leishman, C Deacons, S Swindall, B Barsanti, R Boswell. Subs: J Welsh, R Kennedy, C Hutton, S Robertson, T Clarke, D Gilmour, C Turnbull. Gala (v Llanelli at Netherdale today at 3pm): A McLean; G Young, C Auld, B Turner, G Somerville; L Millar, George Graham; L Pettie, R Anderson, E McQuillin, C Weir, O Palepoi, C Keddie, E Dods, Gary Graham. Subs: C Mackintosh, C Hogg, T Weir, J King, D Owenson, S Cairns, C Robertson. Melrose (v Llandovery at Church Bank today at 3pm): F Thomson; C Anderson, A Letham, R Mill, J Helps; A Skeen, L Mallin; B Colvine; N Little, A Walker, G Holburn, R Miller, P Eccles, J Dalziel, A Nagle, G Runciman. Subs: R Ferguson, C Keen, R Ovens, H Watson, S McCormick, B Dick, J Murray. Dundee HSFP (v Cornish Pirates at Mennaye Field tomorrow at 2pm): R Lamont; A McLean, H Duthie, J Steele, J Johnstone; B Laursen, R Lavery; S Longwell, D Russell, A Brown, A Redmayne, R Hawkins, D Levison, R McIver, I Wilson. Subs: TBC, TBC, G Robertson, A Linton, A Dymock, J Urquhart, C Bowie.