FOSROC Super Series Championship 2023 Guide to the Game | Round 13

Friday 27 October: Stirling Wolves v Southern Knights

With both teams battling it out for a semi-final spot, Southern Knights travel to Bridgehaugh to face the Stirling Wolves this Friday hoping for a repeat of the scoring from their meeting earlier in the Championship, kick-off 7.35pm.

How to Watch

This game will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA.

BBC Alba is available on: Freeview / You View 7 (Scotland only), Freesat 109 (UK), Sky 117 (Scotland), Sky 169 (rest of UK), Sky Glass 121 (Scotland), Sky Glass 172 (Rest of UK), Virgin Media 120 (Scotland), Virgin Media 161 (rest of UK)

It is also available online on the BBC Alba iPlayer – https://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/bbcalba and BBC Alba YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/bbcalba.

For those who live outside of the UK and Ireland, you can watch this game live on the Scottish Rugby website.

Be There

Don’t miss out on seeing all the action in person at Bridgehaugh – get your tickets here.

Match Officials

Ref: Jonny Perriam
AR 1: Michael Todd
AR 2: Bob Nevins

Comments from the Coaches:

Eddie Pollock (Stirling Wolves) said:

“This is a make-or-break game for both teams in respect of getting a position in the playoffs. Southern Knights have improved as the season has progressed and sit just above us at present in the 4th playoff position.

“In what will be our last home match for the 2023 season we need to find a top performance to make sure we find a way to win and prolong our season for another few weeks. We are hoping for a big home support to give the boys the lift they need in this crunch match. It should be a cracker!”

Alan Tait (Southern Knights) said:

“Everyone is really looking forward to Friday night’s game. It’s obviously a huge fixture for both teams and could determine who gets the last place in the top 4, albeit we still have another game to play.

“We know the Wolves will be hurting from the previous two games and will come out firing and have a point to prove at home so an exceptional defensive performance from us is the ask. This group has grown so much over the past 6 months, and we are proud to be giving ourselves a crack at the top 4, and rightly so.”

Team Selections

Saturday 28 October: Heriot’s Rugby v Watsonians 

It’s a Capital clash on Saturday as Watsonians head to Goldenacre to meet the table toppers Heriot’s Rugby , kick-off 3pm.

Highlights of this match will be available on the Scottish Rugby website on Monday evening.

Be There

Secure your spot to see the game in person at Goldenacre this Saturday. Get your tickets here.

Match Officials

Ref: Ruairidh Campbell
AR 1: David Young
AR 2: David Changleng

Comments from the Coaches:

Ben Cairns (Heriot’s Rugby) said:

“In what was a taxing week, we were so proud of the player group who fronted up with 3 matches in 9 days and came away with maximum points. That run has put us in a great position going into the final 2 matches of the regular season, we now need to finish the job off.

“We know Watsonians will come to Goldenacre in confident mood and will be hugely motivated to set the record straight after our last encounter. They have been in good form of late having won their last 5 matches and are still in the hunt to secure a home semi-final.

“They are a very physical side, who tend to stay in the right areas of the pitch and have a good group of leaders, so we know we will need to put in another big performance if we are going to get the result we need.”

Nikki Walker (Watsonians) said:

“We are in a good space with competition for places heating up leading into the play offs.

“Heriot’s have been the team to beat and catch from day 1 of this year’s Super Series Championship. Heriot’s have scored lots of points against everyone this season, particularly us in the first half of the tournament. That result has been used as a catalyst to where we are now, and we are very confident that we are going to be very competitive going into the climax of the season.

“Heriot’s at Goldenacre is just the challenge we need before going into the semi-finals.”

Team Selections

Saturday 28 October: Ayrshire Bulls v FOSROC Future XV

Ayrshire Bulls have their final fixture in the regular rounds of competition at home in Millbrae as the FOSROC Future XV travel down to Ayr again, kick-off 5pm.

Highlights of this match will be available on the Scottish Rugby website on Monday evening.

Be There

There’s still time to get your tickets for Millbrae this weekend – get your tickets here.

Match Officials

Ref: Finlay Brown
AR 1: John Smith
AR 2: Alistair Watt

Comments from the Coaches:

Pat McArthur (Ayrshire Bulls) said:

“It’s a must win again for us this week being the last game of the regular season. We have healthy competition in the squad and players know this is the last chance for them to put their hands up for the Semi Final.

“The Futures have had some mixed results but looking at the stats they have the fastest ruck speed in the league and score a lot of tries. They are a fit young team that will come at you for the whole 80 minutes, which means we cannot lose concentration. With us playing just before the world cup final we are hoping for the usual big crowd at Millbrae.”

Scott Forrest (FOSROC Future XV) said:

“Millbrae is one of the toughest places to go and play and is exactly the type of experience these young players need to be exposed to. Our first half against Heriot’s showed a lot of improvements from the previous game against the Wolves and that is what we are looking for again this Saturday.

“We have started to see some more consistency in our selection which we hope starts to translate into our performances on the pitch. Some of our individual performances have been outstanding over the course of the season, our challenge of our remaining matches is to see a big step up in our performance as a team.”

Team Selections