On Friday evening Southern Knights travel to Millbrae in a top of the table clash with Ayrshire Bulls.

On Saturday Heriot’s Rugby host Stirling County at Goldenacre. The weekend’s action concludes on Sunday at Myreside as Watsonians host Boroughmuir Bears – live on FreeSports.

Sunday 3 October: Watsonians Rugby v Boroughmuir Bears 

Watsonians Rugby host neighbours Boroughmuir Bears this afternoon in a fourth versus sixth battle. The fixture has the added interest in the second and deciding leg of the Allan McNeish mamorialtrophy.

If you can’t make it to Myreside you can watch the game live on FreeSports with commentary from Stuart MacFarlane and Chris Patterson.

Match Officials
Ref: Ian Kenny
AR1: Dunx McClement
AR2: David Changleng
No4: Kevin McGhee
Time: Ben Evans

Watsonians Head Coach Fergus Pringle said: “Boroughmuir have been playing some very good rugby and have been unlucky at times with some close results going against them against strong opposition. We know it’s going to be a big challenge on Sunday at Myreside but we are determined to bounce back after some close results ourselves and put in an accurate, disciplined performance against the Bears.

“There are three changes in the starting pack with Harrison Courtney, Kieran Watt and Campbell Wilson coming in to start. Cole Lamberton gets his first opportunity in the match day squad off the bench. In the backs, Joe Reynolds, Dom Coetzer come into the starting team.“

Boroughmuir Bears Head Coach Graham Shiel said: “We were pleased with our performance in parts last week, but again were unable to match Ayrshire Bulls losing out in the end. It requires another huge shift from the squad this week to achieve the levels we need to be competitive and enable us to challenge a strong Watsonians squad. The remaining fixtures provide playing opportunities and the chance to challenge quality teams and build performaces to be proud of.

“We must keep striving for improvement in all areas individually and collectively and this weekend provides the sternest of tests in which to measure ourselves.

“Craig McKenzie comes into the starting XV at hooker this week. Euan Ferrie moves forward from back row to 2nd Row. Trystan Andrews starts at 8 and Craig Keddie leads the side from 6. Martin Cimprich get’s a start at 10 with an otherwise unchanged backline.

“Finlay Scott starts from the bench this week and we again welcome Michael Jones back into the Bears squad on a ‘permit’ loan this week. We are very grateful to Heriots Rugby for allowing Michael to be available. We retain Scott Habib in the match day squad as an ‘emergency cover’ from our club 1st XV, thanks to the understanding of Rchard Sievwright and his coaching.

“Kyle McGhie comes onto the bench joining Murray Johnstone and Ronan Kerr who returns from injury.”

Watsonians Rugby; 15. Harvey Elms, 14. Lomond Macpherson, 13. Lewis Berg, 12. Dom Coetzer, 11. Ru Smith, 10. Joe Reynolds, 9. Roan Frostwick; 1. Harrison Courtney, 2. Ross Graham, 3. Angus Williams CAPTAIN, 4. Kieran Watt, 5. Michael Badenhorst, 6. Luis Ball, 7. Campbell Wilson, 8. Sam Daly.
Replacements: 16. Cal Davies, 17. Cole Lamberton, 18. Nathan Borel, 19. Harry Fisher, 20. Karl Main, 21. Murray Scott, 22. Marc Morrison, 23. Scott King

Boroughmuir Bears: 15. Glen Faulds, 14. Tom Brown, 13. Duncan Munn, 12. Robbie McCallum, 11. Jordan Edmunds, 10. Martin Cimprich, 9. Kaleem Barreto; 1. Ross Dunbar, 2. Craig McKenzie, 3. Martin McGinley, 4. Euan Ferrie, 5. Jack Fisher, 6. Craig Keddie CO-CAPTAIN, 7. Rhys Tait, 8. Trystan Andrews.
Replacements: 16. Finlay Scott, 17. Michael Jones, 18. Scott Habib, 19. Scott McGinley, 20. Ronan Kerr, 21. Murray Johnstone, 22. Kyle McGhie, 23. Mzwandile Mncube

Saturday 2 October: Heriot’s Rugby v Stirling County 

Fresh from their win last weekend Stirling County make the trip to the capital this afternoon to take on Heriot’s Rugby at Goldenacre.

For those who can’t make it highlights of the game will be available tomorrow morning with commentary from Dale Clancy

Match Officials
Ref: Graeme Ormiston
AR1: Jonny Perriam
AR2: Bob Nevins
No4: Brian McGuff
Time: Dr Rebecca Wheater

Heriot’s Rugby Head Coach Andrew Kelly said: “We are looking forward to playing at home and backing up our performance from last week. Both teams will be playing attacking rugby so should be a great contest.

“We have gone with the same pack as last week and made a few changes to the back line. The challenge for this group is to build on the performance from last week. We lost the game but there were a lot of positives in the way we played.”

Stirling County Head Coach Ben Cairns said: “After two five-point wins at home, we have put ourselves in a good position to fight it out at the top end of the table. A win on Saturday will secure top four, with the potential of a higher placed finish going into the final week of the season.

“Heriot’s played some fantastic rugby down at The Greenyards and I am sure will be hurting with the way they ended the match. This is a must-win for them, and we know they will be massively up for it with their home support behind them.

“We were very happy with large parts of our performance last time out but know we need to tighten up our game management and defensive effort if we are to get the result we want.

“Only one change to the starting team with Max Williamson switching in for Josh King. We welcome Josh Van Vuuren back into the squad and Marcus Holden who has recovered from his injury sustained in round 1 of the competition.”

Heriot’s Rugby: 15. Robbie Chalmers , 14. Ben Evans, 13. Rory McMichael, 12. Robert Kay, 11. Callum Young, 10. Bruce Houston, 9. Alex Ball; 1. Chris Keen, 2. Michael Liness, 3. Dan Gamble, 4.Ronan Seydak, 5. Fraser Hastie, 6. Ruairidh Leishman, 7. Iain Wilson CAPTAIN, 8. Callum Marshall.
Replacements: 16. Cameron Fenton, 17. Andrew Nimmo, 18. Josh Scott, 19. Jason Hill, 20. Lewis Govenlock, 21. Jed Gelderbloom, 22. Matt Russell, 23. James Couper

Stirling County: 15. Craig Robertson, 14. Steven Hamilton, 13. Archie Russell, 12. Grant Hughes, 11. Tom Roche, 10. Euan Cunningham, 9. Caleb Korteweg; 1. Adam Wood, 2. Reyner Kennedy CAPTAIN, 3. Lewis Skinner, 4. James Pow, 5. Max Williamson, 6. George Arnott, 7. Connor Gordon, 8. Dean Taylor-Menzies
Replacements: 16. Angus Fraser, 17. Kevin Crainey, 18. George Breese, 19. Josh King 20. Josh Van Vuuren, 21. Andrew Goudie, 22. Landon Hayes, 23. Marcus Holden

Friday 1 October: Ayrshire Bulls v Southern Knights 

The key-battle of the weekend takes place tonight under Friday night lights at Millbrae as both Ayrshire Bulls and Southern Knights could guarantee themselves a spot in the FOSROC Super6 Final on Sunday 17 October.

For the Southern Knights to guarantee themselves a place they must earn themselves at least two league points from tonight’s match. A bonus-point win, a win or a draw would do it although they could also get themselves a spot if they lose the game by seven points or less and score four or more tries in the process.

Hosts Ayrshire Bulls need to win with a bonus-point this evening to guarantee themselves a place in the final.

For those who can’t make it to Millbrae this evening tonight you can watch it live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport Scotland channel with commentary from Paul Mitchell and Robbie Ferguson.

Match officials:
Ref: Hollie Davidson
AR1: David Sutherland
AR2: Ruairidh Campbell
No4: Duncan Pine
Time: Andy Summers

Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach Pat MacArthur said: “After a few weeks on the road, playing at home on Friday provides a great platform for us to raise our performance levels again for this top of the table clash. Southern Knights are a good team that know how to win. We will need to be at our best if we want to secure a place in the final.

“There are five changes to the starting line up this week. After strong performances off the bench George Thornton, Alex McGuire and Jordan Lenac start, swapping places with Calvin Henderson, Rhodri Tanner and Harry Warr. Robbie Nairn and Tom Jordan return form injury which means Elias Caven and Christian Townsend miss out.”

Southern Knights Head Coach Rob Chrystie said: “The atmosphere at Millbrae on Friday night is sure to be electric for this fixture. The Bulls will be full of confidence having won convincingly in recent weeks. We have had another good weeks training and know we will need to be better than last week against a side that are hitting some excellent form.

“Andrew Mitchell and Patrick Anderson start in the backline this week. In the pack Iain Moody returns at No8, whilst Dalton Redpath packs down in the second row.”

Ayrshire Bulls: 15. Matt Davidson, 14. Aaron Tait, 13. Robert Beattie , 12. Tom Williams, 19. Robbie Nairn, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Jordan Lenac; 1. George Thornton, 2. Alex McGuire, 3. Michael Scott, 4. Edward Bloodworth, 5. Tom Everard, 6. Ryan Sweeney, 7. Yaree Fantini, 8. Blair MacPherson CAPTAIN
Replacements: 25. Rhodri Tanner, 17. Ruairidh Sayce, 18. Calvin Henderson, 16. Rory Jackson, 20. Gavin Wilson, 21. Finn Callaghan, 22. Matt Minogue, 23. Harry Warr

Southern Knights: 15. Joe Jenkins, 14. Patrick Anderson, 13. Nyle Godsmark CAPTAIN, 12. Andrew Mitchell, 11. Sam Pecqueur, 10. Jason Baggott, 9. Cameron Jones; 1. Shaun Gunn, 2. Russell Anderson, 3. Euan McLaren, 4. Angus Runciman, 5. Dalton Redpath, 6. Ruaridh Knott, 7. Allan Ferrie, 8. Iain Moody.
Replacements: 16. Fraser Renwick, 17. Grant Shiells, 18. Calum Crookshanks, 19. Daniel Suddon, 20. Harry Borthwick, 21. Murdo Mcandrew, 22. Billy Wara, 23. Iain Sim.