GREENOCK Wanderers start their new league campaign tomorrow with a difficult trip to the south side of Glasgow where old rivals Cartha Queen's Park provide the opposition.

The Haggs Castle outfit inflicted two defeats on Wanderers last season, the first of which came on opening day when they prevailed by a solitary point.

Another tough and closely fought encounter is anticipated tomorrow but the locals will travel with confidence after a good pre-season build up, with the exception of last weekend's injury strewn match at Kirkcaldy.

Thankfully the majority of those injuries have cleared and Wanderers have named a strong side that is more than capable of leaving the city with an opening day victory.

Vice-president John McDougall said: "We are looking forward immensely to the new season and in reality the restructuring of the leagues has meant that we are playing against a higher standard of opposition than we did last term.

"It is a real challenge to the players and coaches but we are confident that we have prepared properly. I am delighted with all the hard work the new coaching team have put in and they have dealt with the problems of non-availability and injury exceptionally well. We are as ready as we ever will be and looking to get the season off to a flying start." In terms of selection the locals will field probably their largest and strongest pack of forwards in many a year and the group both individually and collectively are capable of mixing it with anyone at premiership or national league level.

The front row of Dougie Smith, Stewart Alexander and Martin Lavelle are strong in the scrum and prominent in open play and they will be well supported by former captain Matt Gray and Jamie Mooney in the boiler house.

The large and formidable presence of Gray and Mooney will add considerable ballast to the scrummaging effort and their power alone should ensure forward momentum when the packs lock horns at the breakdown.

On-form Murray McDonald, Callum Robb and skipper Ali Abernethy make up the loose forward trio and a heavy responsibility will be entrusted to them to ensure they get the upper hand at the contact zone.

Behind the scrum Andy McDougall and Ant Devlin will form the axis between forwards and backs. McDougall has developed into an extremely accomplished scrum half who is capable of mixing up his game depending on the strengths of the opposition. He has a fine pass off both hands and also the ability to snipe round the base of the scrum when the gaps appear.

Wanderers are fortunate to be able to call on the experienced Ant Devlin to deputise for the injured Kenny Diffenthal.

Devlin is an outstanding talent who would almost certainly be a first team regular if he was resident in the area, but working and living down south has severely hampered his appearances for the club.

The new partnership between Devlin and McDougall promises to be an exciting one and if a sufficient supply of ball is produced by the pack then this pairing will make good use of it.

The back line has power and pace aplenty and with vice-captain Brendan McGroarty returning to his familiar centre berth, Wanderers can boast arguably the most potent runner in the league.

Michael Connolly, Alan Knox and past captain David Watson form a speedy back three but the major talking point is the selection of Graham Mooney as McGroarty's centre partner. Mooney is a specialist open side flanker but has such rugby playing ability that he can perform with aplomb in practically any position.

He has superb fitness levels and is rock solid in the tackle which will be vital tomorrow, particularly as Cartha are likely to force the play through the centre channels.

Head coach Graham Finnie said: "Cartha are a strong powerful side and our selection speaks for itself in that we have picked a big side who are capable of taking them on. It is a squad effort and we will utilise our bench throughout the 80 minutes and Marc Coyle, Ranald Moore, Stewart McTavish and Andy Love are all as important as the starting line-up.

"They will be introduced at regular intervals to freshen up the side and impact on proceedings. Our intention is to attack and take the game to Cartha." The usual staunch travelling support will head up the M8 tomorrow and there is cautious optimism about Wanderers' chances this season and particularly for tomorrow's game. Finnie has a fine blend of youth, experience and quality throughout his squad and if they can settle into tomorrow's fixture early then they have every chance of taking an opening day scalp.

Cartha Queen's Park v Wanderers at Dumbreck Road. Kick off 3pm. D Watson, A Knox, G Mooney, B McGroarty, M Connolly, A Devlin, A McDougall, D Smith, S Alexander, M Lavelle, M Gray, J Mooney, M McDonald, A Abernethy [C], C Robb. Replacements; R Moore, M Coyle, A Love, S McTavish.

Wanderers are sponsored by Texas Instruments.