Friday 7 October: Ayrshire Bulls v Stirling Wolves

This Friday, the first game of the penultimate round of the regular competition kicks off where Ayrshire Bulls welcome Stirling Wolves to Millbrae (kick-off 7.45pm).

How to watch

All Friday games will be broadcasted live on free-to-watch channel FreeSports. FreeSports can be found on Sky HD channel 422, Virgin HD 553, TalkTalk 64, BT Vision channel 64, Samsung TV Plus and is also available on the FreeSports Player — www.freesportsplayer.tv. 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 at Millbrae to watch Ayrshire Bulls host Stirling Wolves. Find your tickets here: https://www.ayrrugbyclub.co.uk/product/ayrshire-bulls-v-stirling-county/ 

Match Officials

Ref – David Sutherland
AR 1 – Neil Muir
AR 2 – Alistair Watt

Comments from the Coaches:

Pat McArthur (Ayrshire Bulls) said:

“There are a number of changes with Jamie Shedden (starting) and Richie Simpson (bench) returning from injury. Gavin Wilson and Rory Jackson starts in the back row this week instead of Sione (unavailable) and Lewis McNamara (injured) with Blair reverting back to 8. We also continue to rotate the squad to ensure match fitness with Michael Scott and Ollie Smith starting and Andrew Nimmo and Liam McNamara reverting to the bench.”

“We welcome Stirling Wolves to Millbrae Friday night. They are a team on the up and will be buoyant after their win last week. Our players will be determined to maintain the momentum and level of performance we have shown in the last few weeks. Competition for places in the semi-finals squad is hotting up and remains a driving force for individual players.”

Ben Cairns (Stirling Wolves) said:

“A host of pros released to make it another tough selection week which has been pleasing…”

“Euan Cunningham starts on the wing for the injured Logan Jarvie. Ben Salmon returns to the squad for the 1^st time in the Championship after his U20s stand down period followed by an untimely injury. He starts at 13 with Ryan Southern shifting in one for the unavailable Marcus Holden. Finlay Burgess rotates in to start at 9 after an impressive performance off the bench last week.”

“The pack sees a bit of a reshuffle too with George Breese moving to tighthead and Cameron MacMillan starting for the injured Adam Wood. Gregor Hiddleston starts at hooker with Angus Fraser moving to the bench. Max Williamson returns in the boiler house with Hamish Ferguson moving back to 6 for the unavailable Jack Hill. George Arnott comes in for a deserved start at 7 and will captain the side.”

“On the bench, John McKenna comes back into the mix as do the released Lewis Bean, our returning co-captain Connor Gordon and Craig Jardine who is back fit.”

“Always a tough place to go but we will go to Millbrae with confidence and nothing to fear after our first win of the season. We have talked to the players about relishing the challenge and being excited by the opportunity of picking up a rare win at Millbrae.”

“The Bulls are a quality team. They have a big physical pack who give them a great platform and a dangerous back 3 who finish things off pretty well. Hopefully the weather holds and we can play our part in another cracker under the Friday Night Lights.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

Saturday 8 October: Boroughmuir Bears v Watsonians

The Bears welcome current table leaders Watsonians to Meggetland for the first of Saturday’s double header (kick-off 1pm).

How to watch

Watch this game live on the Scottish Rugby website, BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.

Be There

There’s still time to grab your tickets to watch Boroughmuir Bears and Watsonians go head-to-head at Millbrae. Find your tickets here: https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/boroughmuir-rugby/boroughmuir-bears-v-watsonians-2022-fosroc-super6-championship/

Match Officials

Ref – Finlay Brown
AR 1 – George Pounder
AR 2 – Stephen Ward

Comments from the Coaches:

Graham Shiel (Boroughmuir Bears) said:

“Callum McFeat Smith reverts to the Loose Head side of the scrum with Marcus Goodwin coming back into the side at Tight Head. 18-year-old Jerry Blyth Lafferty retains the Hooker berth continuing his good form in the Super6 Championship for the Bears. Jack Fisher takes a breather this week having played in all Bears games for long periods which allows Euan Ferrie to return from injury to partner Callum Atkinson in the middle row. Liam McConnell starts again this week looking to build on his development alongside the experience of Craig Keddie starting this week at No. 8 (Captain) and Scott McGinley at openside flank. Ruairidh Swan and Jack Bergin continue at half back and with the injury to Duncan Munn sees Adam Scott step into 13 to partner Scott Robeson at 12. A settled Back 3 with Joe Jenkins Tom Brown and 17-year-old Kerr Johnstone who did very well last week in his first start in senior adult rugby and we hope he continues this path.”

“Iain Carmichael starts from the bench this week looking for an impact when he comes on alongside Brandon Sweet and Luca Alessandri covering the front row. Josh King comes back into the squad after a couple of weeks out and Trystan Andrews again will be introduced from the bench.”

“Murray Johnstone covers scrum half with Andy McLean (Glasgow Hawks) coming into the squad as ‘emergency cover’ after impressing in the premiership this season. Also coming into the squad as ‘injury cover’ is Aaron Purewal who has recently been involved with Scotland Sevens and returning to the XV’s game.”

“After so many positives in our season, last week was a bit frustrating for the Bears, we never really grabbed hold of the game and credit to Wolves, they did. Accurate guidance from first receiver meant that Bears struggled to get a foothold in the second half, and we fell out of the contest.”

“If Wolves presented a challenge last week, there is no doubt that we have a mountain to climb this week against competition leaders Watsonians. Whilst Bears are sitting in 3^rd position there is ‘some distance’ between ourselves and the competition leaders, so this week we must improve significantly on last week’s performance, whilst continuing along our journey to find any way we can to compete with the best teams in the competition. We know that whatever squad Watsonians can field it will be strong, so Bears will need to perform at their absolute best in all areas to be able to compete.”

“Overall, there were less positives to take from last weekend, but as ever, we continue to work to address these with the limited time available and target areas in which to find improvements! Watsonians continue to dominate the competition, with a pack that is big and very physical along with a good tactical game and very strong defence – pretty much what every team is looking for. It will be a tough day at the office for the Bears. This is about stepping up and being prepared to go toe to toe with our near neighbours and compete for a full 80mins.”

Fergus Pringle (Watsonians) said:

“There are 4 changes to the backs. Jason Baggott replaces Lee Millar who is unavailable. Joe Reynolds and Lewis Berg return to start and Ross McKnight gets his first start. Murray Scott replaces Rory Brand on the bench and Angus Guthrie and Ryan Daley move to the bench.”

“In the forwards, we have 5 changes to the starting pack with Karl Main, Kwagga Van Niekerk and Jamie Berrisford remaining in the starting pack. A new front row of Harrison Courtney, Patrick Harrison and Leeroy Atalifo start while Pierce Phillips starts in the second row and Seb Cecil returns to captain the team. Jamie Hodgson is on the bench on pro release as he returns from injury. Luis Balll also returns to the squad having missed the last 2 games.”

“We’re looking forward to playing at Meggetland where we played some home games during the Sprint Series earlier in the year. Boroughmuir’s home form has been strong throughout the FOSROC Super 6 Championship and having played each other 3 weeks ago in round 6, we know the tough challenge we’ll face. We’re determined to keep improving our performances and will need a disciplined, 80 minute collective effort against the Bears to come out on top.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

Saturday 8 October: Heriot’s Rugby v Southern Knights

The weekend’s games are rounded off when Southern Knights travel to play Goldenacre residents Heriot’s (kick-off 4pm).

How to watch

Watch this game live on the Scottish Rugby website, BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.

Be There

There’s still time to grab your tickets for the Heriot’s v Southern Knights clash here: https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/heriot-s-rugby-club-limited/heriot-s-rugby-club/

Match Officials

Ref – Ian Kenny
AR 1 – Robert McDowell
AR 2 – David Changleng

Comments from the Coaches:

Fin Gilles (Heriot’s Rugby) said:

“A whole raft of changes to the squad this week as we look to give a number of players the chance to finish off the season on a high. Elliot Young replaces Michael Liness to start at hooker, Euan McLaren replaces Dan Gamble to start at tighthead prop with Josh Scott retaining his place at loosehead prop. Ronan Seydak and Fraser Hastie continue their partnership in the second row. We welcome young back row Sam Wallace to the squad, Sam has been patient and very much deserves his first start at openside flanker. Sam is another club graduate from the Heriot’s Blues, and he will join us as a long-term injury replacement for the remainder of the championship. Skipper Ruairidh Leishman has made a much-welcomed return from concussion to come in and start at blindside. The heroic Iain Wilson completes the backrow and will start at number 8. On the bench we welcome Ali Rogers on loan from Ayrshire Bulls, Ali comes into help ease our current woes at loosehead prop. Edinburgh pro Adam McBurney will make his first appearance for the club and will cover hooker from the bench, with Dan Gamble completing the front row replacements. Michael Badenhorst joins us once again from Watsonians to complete a 4/4 split on the bench.”

“A new look backline this week with young Dan King making his first start of the season at 10, he will be partnered by Murdo McAndrew who retains his spot at scrum half. It is a great opportunity this week for Dan to show his versatility and maturity as he goes head-to-head with Jaco Van Der Walt. Cammy Hutchison is released by Edinburgh, and he will partner Matt Davidson in the centres. The back 3 has had a full reshuffle with Rory Steele moving to full-back, Same Pecqueur comes in to start and Edinburgh professional Jack Blain completes a very exciting looking backline. With an enforced 4/4 split on the bench this week we have Jed Gelderbloom, Ross Jones, Jake Henry and Fraser Jones making up the remainder of the replacements.”

“We are now very much at the business end of the season, and we have no choice but to start building some momentum and belief before the play-offs. The performance against Ayrshire Bulls was disappointing but upon reflection we were more disciplined, we defended better and had more entries into the opposition Gold Zone than we have done in the previous two weeks. We just continue to be unable to turn these opportunities into points, we entered Ayrshire Bulls’ 22 thirteen times, but we were unable to capitalise on any of these chances.”

“Knights are improving week on week, and we had a very closely contested match at The Greenyards last time, the draft has seen both teams strengthened from the pro game so hopefully we see a bump in the quality of the rugby played at Goldenacre on Saturday. For us to be successful in this championship we have to turn it on now, we have to be more clinical when we have chances, for too long have we been frivolous with opportunities to put points on the board, and this is a trend we hope to buck on Saturday.”

Bruce Ruthven (Southern Knights) said:

“Keiran Clark, Aidan Cross and returning from injury Finn Douglas form a youthful and vibrant back three for the team. A midfield partnership of Ben Pickles and Kyle McGhee start for the knights after injuries to Korie Winters and Mitch Richardson last week. Edinburgh Rugby Jaco Van Der Walt start in the number 10 shirt with Douglas Crawford reverting to the scrumhalf position.”

“Youngsters Rudi Brown starts at No8 with flankers Wallace Nelson and Sam Derrick. The second row sees the familiar pairing of Jamie Campbell alongside Alan Ferrie. Stage 3 player Robbie Deans on loan from Watsonians starts at TH Prop with Edinburgh Rugby Nick Auterac on the loose. Harri Morris starts at hooker.”

“Front row experienced replacements see Russell Anderson and Fraser Renwick start from the bench with Grant Shiels and Isaac Brace. Erem Demirel will hope to make a big contribution from the bench. Harris Rutherford and David Colvine and Paddy Anderson complete a 5/3 split for the substitutions.”

“We all know it’s going to be a tough game at Goldenacre but are looking forward to the challenge this weekend. We played very well last week versus Watsonians after a slow start, and we know we must start the game strongly to be in with a shout. Heriot’s took the points a few weeks ago in a close encounter so were looking to turn the tables on tomorrow’s game.”

“Once again, we have a host of Stage 2 & 3 players representing the Knights who will be looking forward to testing themselves against the city side. Despite the outcome of recent games, we have showed that we can compete against the top teams, but we must be more accurate and take our opportunities on offer.”

TEAM SELECTIONS