| This key game could determine the fate of a Heineken Cup spot for the Reivers next season and stretch their Celtic League lead over the Warriors from a single point.
The clash at Firhill will also mark the comeback of Reivers stand-off Gregor Townsend and three of the Reivers’ internationals who featured in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup victory.
Chris Cusiter, who blasted the ball into orbit to mark the memorable win for Scotland, starts at scrum-half, moving Brendan McKerchar to the bench.
Steve Scott moves to the bench and is replaced by Ross Ford and Scott MacLeod retains his position at lock.
Semo Sititi returns to the starting line-up in place of Andy Rennick.
Stuart Moffat starts at fullback which moves Calum MacRae into the centre to pair up with Ben MacDougall and Simon Danielli slots in on the right wing having recovered from a hamstring injury.
Bates said: “We are very fortunate to welcome back Ross [Ford], Scott [MacLeod] and Chris [Cusiter]. Obviously Bruce Douglas has played a big part in the RBS 6 Nations so far so he is having a rest, which is pretty sensible.
“With two of the local sides competing against each other, both with international players back from the six nations, will hopefully encourage people to come along and continue to support Scottish rugby.
Border Reivers team:
15 Stuart Moffat; 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Ben MacDougall, 12 Calum MacRae, 11 Nikki Walker; 10 Gregor Townsend, 9 Chris Cusiter; 1 Paul Thomson (CAPTAIN), 2 Ross Ford, 3 Geoff Cross; 4 Scott MacLeod, 5 Opeta Palepoi; 6 Kelly Brown, 7 Andy Miller, 8 Semo Sititi
Substitutes: 16 Steve Scott, 17 Tom McGee, 18 John Dalziel, 19 Scott Gray, 20 Brendan McKerchar, 21 James King, 22 Charlie Hore
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