FOSROC Super Series Sprint 2023 Guide to the Game | Round 4
The FOSROC Super Series Sprint continues this weekend with Round 4. Here is our guide to the games for this weekend.
Friday 28 April: Stirling Wolves v Watsonians
Stirling Wolves will be looking to continue their winning ways when they welcome Watsonians to Bridgehaugh on Friday evening, live on BBC Alba (kick-off 7.35pm).
How to watch
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 Bridgehaugh. Get your tickets HERE.
Match Officials
Ref: Ian Kenny
AR 1: Samuel O’Neill
AR 2: David Young
Comments from the Coaches:
Eddie Pollock (Stirling Wolves) said:
“The big games come thick and fast, and it doesn’t come bigger than Watsonians the reigning Champions. The experienced Stevie Scott has taken over as Head Coach and will bring a very experienced settled squad to Bridgehaugh looking for a win to overtake us in 2nd place. They are a talented all-round side and will give us another huge test that we must meet head on if we are to continue our positive start to the Super Series.
“I was delighted by the quality of our performance last week in all areas of the game. Our ability to attack in a variety of ways has kept the opposition guessing at times and we hope to continue to ask searching questions of a physical Watsonians defence. Defensively we have been much improved this season due to a targeted improvement in work rate and physicality in the tackle. The players put in a huge shift last week in this regard and we will need to go again in front of another large Bridgehaugh crowd.”
Stevie Scott (Watsonians) said:
“We head to Bridgehaugh on Friday to play a good Stirling Wolves team. They have started the Sprint Series well, coming off the back of good performance last week. They have a good back row and good decision makers throughout the team so we know we’ll have to be at our best on Friday night.
“We made too many errors last week in all aspects of our game, however we still managed to score 33 points but conceded the same amount. The boys responded well to the review & trained well off the back of it.”
Team Selections
Saturday 29 April: Boroughmuir Bears v Heriot’s Rugby
Another day of double-headers gets underway with Heriot’s Rugby traveling for the first time in the Sprint to Meggetland for a Capital clash with Boroughmuir Bears, kick-off 3pm.
How to watch
Highlights of this match will be available on the Scottish Rugby website on Monday evening.
Be There
Don’t miss out on the action at Meggetland this weekend. Get your tickets for this match HERE
Match Officials
Ref: Ross Mabon
AR 1: Ciaran Stark
AR 2: Rob McDowell
Comments from the Coaches:
Graham Shiel (Boroughmuir Bears) said:
“A much more pleasing performance versus Ayrshire Bulls in round 3, having been completely outplayed by Glasgow Warriors ‘A’ at Meggetland the previous week.
“We took a huge amount of learning from round 2 and whilst not nice, it certainly focused the group ahead of playing the Ayrshire Bulls. It is important that we continue our learning, as we grow and seek improvement individually and collectively.
“We are proud of the improvements we made in our game last week, as a group performing at a level which allowed us to compete and apply pressure on Bulls. Also pleasing was the fact that we had the ability to absorb pressure for long periods when Bulls had possession, which had not been as accurate as we would have liked in the first 2 rounds of the competition.
“This week the Bears turn their focus to Heriot’s Rugby. Heriot’s have had a good start to their season and carry threats across their squad making them dangerous opponents. They had a very positive result against current Champions, Watsonians last week, so they are travelling the 4.5mile journey in good form. We know that every game requires that we perform to our potential, otherwise we are vulnerable, so nothing short of our best will challenge Heriot’s and allow the Bears to be competitive.
“Regardless of our opposition, our aim at the Bears remains consistent – make improvements in our performance, enabling us to become more competitive at this level. We are working hard each week as we look to find ways to build momentum. Last week, provided a bench mark for the standards that we need to maintain and reach week in week out to be a competitive unit in this competition.”
Ben Cairns (Heriot’s Rugby) said:
“There was a lot to like about last weekend’s performance against one of the best sides in the competition. We could not fault the groups effort and attitude, we made 100 more tackles than our opposition and managed to hang on for what could be a significant 3 points. However, we were disappointed with our lack of control, discipline and execution at key times and is something we will look to improve this weekend.
“This week, the challenge for us is to see whether we can go away from home for the first time and play with the same energy and commitment levels we produced last weekend.
“The Bears will be hugely buoyed by their fantastic win over the Bulls last time out. They are a really cohesive group and that ability to stay in the fight and continue to scrap for each other was massive in their win. Our ability to dictate the tempo and execute our game plan will be huge if we are to get anything out of the game.”
Team Selections
Saturday 29 April: Southern Knights v Ayrshire Bulls
Round 4 of the FOSROC Super Series Sprint is concluded as Southern Knights host Ayrshire Bulls at the Greenyards, kick-off 5pm.
How to watch
This game will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the Scottish Rugby website.
Be There
Travel to the Greenyards to support your team. Find tickets online HERE.
Match Officials
Ref: Samuel O’Neil
AR 1: Ruairidh Campbell
AR 2: Chelsea Gillespie
Comments from the Coaches:
Alan Tait (Southern Knights) said:
“There’s a lot of lads coming back from injury, putting their hands up in training and really testing the group. The coaches have had a few good discussions about combinations and players and now its about putting our best team out that’s available to us to get us that win.
“The bench is very strong this week and we are hoping they make a real impact for the team when they come on.
“We are really looking forward to the game, we know how strong Ayrshire Bulls are, probably the most consistent team in Super Series. They’ve got a strong pack with a high work rate so they’ll take a bit of looking after but I’m confident in this group. It’s going to be another challenge, as all games are in Super Series, as the quality and standard week to week is always improving and it’s only getting quicker!
“We’re a young side that’s building but its key we get a collective performance from the group for 80 mins and really challenge ourselves and each other to get the best out of us and get that result I know the players and fans want and deserve.”
Pat MacArthur (Ayrshire Bulls) said:
“Not the result we wanted last week – we need to be more ruthless and take our opportunities.
“This week gives us another opportunity to show we can perform away from home. The Knights have some big forwards and exciting backs so we will have to be ready for the challenge that lies ahead. The players have trained well this week and know the performance levels that will be expected.”
Team Selections