Arnold Clark Premiership feature match: Watsonian v Heriot’s

EDINBURGH , SCOTLAND - AUGUST 16: Heriot's’ Ruaridh Leishman during the launch of the 2024/2025 Arnold Clark Premership season at Currie Chieftains RFC, on August 16, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Number two takes on number three on the table as visitors Heriot’s have achieved maximum points five rounds in, while the home side have won three on the bounce against Melrose, Edinburgh Accies and most recently, Hawick.

For added suspense, it’s an Edinburgh derby to contest the Bill McLaren Shield, after Watsonians won away at Melrose and subsequently defended the Shield against Edinburgh Accies.

Five things to watch this weekend:

• Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership leaders Corstorphine host third-placed Watsonians in a mid-season battle for the top two playoff spots.
• Heriot’s captain Ruairidh Leishman (pictured) is the third top try scorer in the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership with five from as many matches, despite playing at number 8.
• Musselburgh and Hawick go into their match at Stoneyhill locked on one win from five so far. Both will go in search of a win to kick start some strong form.
• Glasgow Hawks (12 points) and Melrose (11 points) go into Saturday’s match sitting seventh and eighth on the table respectively, and will use this match as a platform to kick on into the top half of the table.
• Stirling County are looking to stay within striking distance of league leaders Corstorphine, and will have the chance to do so against Stewartry, despite the distance between the clubs both physically and on the table.

This weekend’s matches:

Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership
Friday 4 October:

• Watsonian FC v Heriot’s Rugby Men, 7:35pm, LIVE on BBC ALBA

Saturday 5 October, all 3pm kick-offs:

• Currie Chieftains v Marr RFC
• Glasgow Hawks RFC v Melrose Rugby
• Kelso RFC v Ayr RFC
• Musselburgh RFC v Hawick RFC
• Selkirk RFC v Edinburgh Academical FC

Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership
Saturday 5 October, all 2pm kick-offs:

• Corstorphine RFC v Watsonian FC
• Heriot’s Rugby Women v Cartha Queens Park RFC
• Hillhead Jordanhill RFC v Garioch RFC
• Stewartry RFC v Stirling County RFC