Friday 7 April: Ayrshire Bulls v Glasgow Warriors A

The Friday night lights return as Ayrshire Bulls and Glasgow Warriors kick off the FOSROC Super Series Sprint at Millbrae, live on BBC Alba (kick-off 7.35pm).

How to watch

This Friday game will be broadcasted 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 these games live on the Scottish Rugby website.

Be There

Secure your spot to watch the game in person at Millbrae. Get your tickets here: https://www.ayrrugbyclub.co.uk/product/ayrshire-bulls-fosroc-super-series-sprint-match-tickets/

Match Officials

Ref – Ruairidh Campbell
AR 1 – Ross Mabon
AR 2 – Michael Todd

Comments from the Coaches:

Pat MacArthur (Ayrshire Bulls) said:

“With majority of the squad remaining the same as last season, we have good experience in the form of Grant Stewart, Blair Macpherson, Ed Bloodworth, Bobbie Beattie and Eli Caven to lead a youthful group of players eger to make their mark. Kerr Yule (17) is one of those exciting young players looking to build on his Scotland U20 success to make his debut of the bench. Others looking to make their first appearance for the Bulls are Blair Jardine, Reiss Cullen, Luca Bardelli, Grant Baird and Antony Fitch.

“It’s brilliant to open the Sprint Series at Millbrae in front of a home crowd. With Glasgow A being a new addition this years competition, the players will be keen to make their mark and test themselves against what will be very tough opposition.”

Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors A) said:

“We’re excited to be involved in the first match of the new FOSROC Super Series Sprint.

“The match is an opportunity for our players, some of whom might not have had a massive amount of game time, to show what they can do when they pull on that shirt tomorrow night.

“We’ve picked a team that blends youth and experience, and we’re looking forward to watching what they’re capable of at Millbrae tomorrow.”

Team Selections

Friday 7 April: Stirling Wolves v Boroughmuir Bears

The second Friday night fixture takes place at Bridgehaugh as Stirling Wolves welcome Boroughmuir Bears, kick-off 7.35pm.

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 to see Stirling Wolves take on Boroughmuir Bears here: https://stirlingcounty-rfc.co.uk/stirling-wolves/stirling-wolves-tickets/

Match Officials

Ref – Finlay Brown
AR 1 – Rob McDowell
AR 2 – Bob Nevins

Comments from the Coaches:

Eddie Pollock (Stirling Wolves) said:

“It’s been a good pre-season for Stirling Wolves. Over the last couple of weeks, we have had a competitive hit out against Ayrshire Bulls and Southern Knights in preparation for our first competition game of the FOSROC Super Series Sprint. Our full squad has come together over the last couple of weeks, and we’ve been working hard at training. The effort and willingness to learn has been excellent.

“We’re really impressed by Sean Kennedy and Duncan Hodge, along with the rest of the coaching team. They’ve done an amazing job getting us ready for our first competitive game against Boroughmuir Bears!

“Over the last few seasons all of our matches against the Bears have been really tight. The Bears have an excellent team ethos and play well with each other—I know that Graham Shiel and Duncan Wilson will have been working towards producing a great quality team to play against us.”

Graham Shiel (Boroughmuir Bears) said:

“We have had a positive pre-season period this year, with our learnings from last season. It is a completely different challenge preparing a squad for a season in the winter months!

“Bridgehaugh versus Stirling Wolves on Friday night – a great challenge to start the competition. Stirling Wolves and Boroughmuir Bears have been very competitive fixtures throughout the Super Series program with scorelines very close on almost all occasions. I hope that this rings true tomorrow evening and that it is a quality game with both teams embracing the opportunity to play rugby in the better weather conditions. For Bears we are looking for a solid performance to kick off the competition to allow us to build on a stable footing for the remainder of the Sprint competition.”

Team Selections

Saturday 8 April: Watsonians v Southern Knights

Another day of double-headers gets underway with Watsonians and Southern Knights who have their first meeting at Myreside, kick-off 3pm.

How to watch

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

Be There

Saturday evening plans are sorted at Myreside. Get your tickets for this match on the gate.

Match Officials

Ref – Rob McDowell
AR 1 – Ciaran Stark
AR 2 – David Young

Comments from the Coaches:

Stevie Scott (Watsonians) said:

“We are lucky to have so many players returning to the squad, and you can see this in the team selection. Consistency and experience in the competition can really help us settle in to these first few games.

“The Knights will be a tough opponent. They have strengthened since last year and will be prepared come Saturday afternoon. Two years ago they were finalists and with the calibre of rugby down in Melrose, we know they’ll be ready to push us all the way on Saturday.”

Alan Tait (Southern Knights) said:

“We’ve been working hard over the past 2 months and there’s a real energy and excitement about this group. We’re all looking forward to the game and it’s another opportunity to see how this group is developing and how the new players are gelling into the systems and structures we have put in place.

“With first caps for 12 players, everyone’s excited for Saturday game. We’ve got a new, exciting young squad with a blend of experienced players in there so it’s going to be a good chance for players to test themselves against a good Watsonians.”

Team Selections

Saturday 8 April: Heriot’s Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby A

The first round of the FOSROC Super Series Sprint is completed by Heriot’s Rugby welcoming Edinburgh Rugby’s A side to Goldenacre, kick-off 5pm.

How to watch

This game will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the Scottish Rugby website.

Be There

Get along to Goldenacre to support your team. Find tickets online here: https://heriotsrugbyclub.co.uk/buy-tickets/

Match Officials

Ref – Michael Todd
AR 1 – Jonny Perriam
AR 2 – Stephen Ward

Comments from the Coaches:

Ben Cairns (Heriot’s Rugby) said:

“The starting pack has a familiar feel to it having all played for Heriot’s Rugby previously. The backline sees 3 players set to make their debuts – Mikey Gray, Aidan Boyle & Cam Jones and a further 3 players will make their debuts from the replacements bench – Euan McVie, Wallace Nelson & Grant Hughes.

“With a few exceptions, we have largely rewarded the players who have done the bulk of our pre season work. They have prepared well and deserve the first crack.

“There’s been a fair amount of change for this group since last season however, we couldn’t have planned a better way to start this new era. A loaded Edinburgh ‘A’ side at Goldenacre is a mouth-watering prospect and we cannot wait to get out there on Saturday and are looking forward to putting in a first performance that we can all be proud of.”

Rob Chrystie (Edinburgh Rugby A) said:

“It’s a side with a real blend of youth and experience, and will provide an exciting opportunity for our academy players to play alongside seasoned professional players. There’s also an opportunity for our younger players to lead the side, with Liam McConnell and Cammy Scott both taking on captaincy roles for the fixture.

“We’re really looking forward to our involvement in the Super Series Sprint. It’s a chance to strengthen our relationships with our partnership clubs, with tomorrow’s game against Heriot’s providing a stern test at one of the most historic rugby venues in our city.”

Team Selections