SATURDAY 23 APRIL: STIRLING COUNTY v AYRSHIRE BULLS 

The third and final fixture in the second round of the Sprint Series comes from Bridgehaugh when Stirling County host Ayrshire Bulls – kick-off 4.30pm.

In round one, Ayrshire Bulls got the win over Boroughmuir Bears whilst Stirling County narrowly lost out to Watsonians.

How to Watch
You can watch all of the action from Stirling live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the Scottish Rugby website here: https://www.scottishrugby.org/fanzone/live-souther…

Be there
Entry to the Bridgehaugh is free on Saturday but those attending are encouraged to sign up via this link: https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/stirling-co…

2021 results
Stirling County 30-28 Ayrshire Bulls
Ayrshire Bulls 48-17 Stirling County

Match Officials
Referee – David Sutherland
AR1 – Jonny Perriam
AR 2 – Alistair Watt

What the Coaches said
Ben Cairns (Stirling County): “Logan Trotter starts at full back with Marcus Holden moving to 10. Craig Jardine rotates in for DJ Innes and Walter Fifita joins his fellow Warrior, Ratu Tagive, on the wing. The pack sees George Breese come in for the injured Lewis Skinner at tighthead, James Pow in for Max Williamson who is in South Africa with Warriors and Connor Gordon returning to co-captain the side having missed last week due to illness.

“John McKenna and Cairn Ramsay, who joins the 23 from Currie Chieftains as Emergency prop cover, lie in wait to make their competitive debuts for the side.

“Last week’s loss was a tough one to take but ultimately our lack of clarity and discipline in the final moments cost us. This week we look forward to our first home match of the season and cannot wait to be back playing at Bridgehaugh. The Ayrshire Bulls will travel with confidence after a first round win. They have a really balanced squad with a big pack, some quality backs and will be strengthened further by the pros released to them too.

“There’s been a big focus on how we improve our match day experience at the club and with a new tannoy system, The University of Stirling Cheerleaders, live music, street food, an inflatable park, face painting and our mascot Wolfie in attendance there will be a great atmosphere and fun for all the family. It’s a special place to be when Bridgehaugh is bouncing, and I know how much the boys thrive off that support.”

Pete Horne (Ayrshire Bulls): “After a great start to our campaign last week we have made some changes to the 23 representing us against Stirling County. The players coming in have been working hard and deserve an opportunity to show what they can do. I am excited to see two youngsters make their debuts in Ali Rodgers, who was excellent in pre season, and Andy Stirrat who was one of Scotland under 20’s stand out performers.

“We also welcome Enrique Pieretto to our environment and I am sure he will make a very positive impact alongside Grant Stewart and Tom Lambert from Glasgow Warriors.

“Stirling County played very well against Watsonians last week and were unlucky not to come away from Myreside with a win, they play some great rugby and build a lot of pressure by holding onto the ball.

“Although we got the job done at home last weekend there are a number of shifts we need to make in our game to get to where we want to be. We are all aware of what happened the last time we went to Bridgehaugh, but we have a proud group of players and they don’t need any extra motivation to go out and enjoy working hard for each other this weekend.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

A first look at the teams for @StirlingCounty v @AyrshireBulls tomorrow.#FOSROCSuper6 pic.twitter.com/UIbVPK6gl2

— FOSROC Super6 (@Super6Rugby) April 22, 2022

SATURDAY 23 APRIL: SOUTHERN KNIGHTS v WATSONIANS 

The second fixture of the weekend comes from Melrose when Southern Knights host Wastonians on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).

The Knights lost out in round one to Heriot’s whilst Watsonians pipped Stirling County to a win at Myreside.

How to Watch
You can watch all of the action from Melrose live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the Scottish Rugby website here: https://www.scottishrugby.org/fanzone/live-souther…

Be there
You can buy your tickets to the fixture at The Greenyards here: https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/southern-kn…

2021 results
Southern Knights 25-8 Watsonians
Watsonians 32-21 Southern Knights

Match Officials
Referee – Ian Kenny
AR1 – Ruairidh Campbell
AR2 – Sam O’Neil

What the Coaches said
Bruce Ruthven (Southern Knights): “We will need to be better individually this week if we’re going to compete over the 80 minutes. We understand the challenge ahead but we have had a very productive weeks training and the boys are in good spirits.

“It’s always great game against Watsonians and we know this Saturday wont be anything different, It’s our first home competitive game of the season so their will be a good support for the Knights and an afternoon which everyone is looking forward too.

“All four of The Scotland U20 players will be involved on Saturday in Rudi Brown, Murray Redpath, Corey Bowker and Kieran Clark. Ben Afshar also falls into the U20 category and is pushing Murray Redpath hard for a starting spot. Bruce Riddell comes in as emergency loan for Loose head-prop cover. Average age of squad this weekend is 23.”

Fergus Pringle (Watsonians): “While we have 12 of our 31 man squad unavailable this week through either injury or involvement with Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland 7’s, we still field a really competitive match day 23 with only three changes to the starting team from last week.

“In the backs Joe Reynolds in unavailable and is replaced by Lewis Berg who is returning from injury. Murray Scott starts at scrum-half where Roan Frostwick drops to the bench. In the forwards Campbell Wilson replaces Harry Fisher at openside flanker, who moves to the bench.

“On the bench Matt Pritchard comes in as emergency cover at hooker, adding to the two emergency cover props, Cole Imrie (Edinburgh Accies) and Dan Gamble (Heriot’s Rugby). Charlie Shiel is released by Edinburgh.

“The close result last week against Stirling highlights just how tough and competitive every fixture of the Fosroc Super6 Sprint is going to be. Going down to Melrose is always a big challenge and they showed against Heriot’s last week that they are a dangerous counter attacking team and have real attacking intent. Their set piece will be very strong and we’ll need to be ready for the way they challenge the breakdown area. We are really determined to improve collectively week on week and we are looking forward to building on last weeks performance against Stirling.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

The @Sthrn_Knights & @WATSONIANFC squads are confirmed ahead of tomorrow's game at The Greenyards.#FOSROCSuper6 pic.twitter.com/Rcw4hft5E1

— FOSROC Super6 (@Super6Rugby) April 22, 2022

FRIDAY 22 APRIL: BOROUGHMUIR BEARS v HERIOT’S RUGBY

The round begins with Boroughmuir Bears hosting Heriot’s Rugby on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Bears lost to Ayrshire Bulls in round one, while Heriot’s took an early lead in the table with a 41-24 win over Southern Knights.

How to Watch
You can watch live on FreeSports from 7:30pm, Freeview HD channel 64, Sky HD channel 422, Virgin HD 553, TalkTalk 64, BT Vision channel 64 and on the online FreeSports Player. Outside of the UK and Ireland you can watch on the Scottish Rugby website.

Be there
You can buy your tickets to the fixture at Meggetland here: https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/boroughmuir-rugby/boroughmuir-bears-v-heriot-rsquo-s-rugby-fosroc-super6-1/

2021 results
Heriot’s Rugby 31-21 Boroughmuir Bears
Boroughmuir Bears 15-13 Heriot’s Rugby

Match Officials
Referee – Finlay Brown
AR1 – Ross Mabon
AR2 – Michael Todd

What the Coaches said

Andrew Kelly (Heriot’s Rugby): “We have three Edinburgh players, Charlie Savala, Jack Blain and Chris Dean available for our match this week.

“With the short turn around and players caring knocks, we have taken the chance to make a few more changes.”

“Bears are a very good side and we will have to be at our best to compete with them.

“The coaches and players are motivated to build on our win versus Knights last week.”

Graham Shiel (Boroughmuir Bears): “After a tough week one, there are some enforced changes to the squad.

“Stepping up to captain the Bears this week is Scotland U20 Captain Rhys Tait who takes over the reins from Craig Keddie for this game.

“After a return to playing last week Gregor Brown will be looking for more game time to show what he is about, and Scott McGinley completes the back row.

“In the front row an outstanding debut from Corey Tait at this level bodes well for his future and more game time versus Heriots will challenge his development to progress.

“Brandon Sweet comes in for Ross Dunbar at loose head for his first start with Martin McGinley at tight head.

“Hamish Bain moves up to partner Josh King after an impressive round one.

“New half back partnership Ruairidh Swan and Harry Mercer will again manage the game with the impressive Robbie McCallum and Duncan Munn who gets a start at outside centre after featuring on the wing last week.

“The back three remains constant led by the experience of Tom Brown, with Joe Jenkins and Adam Scott completing the trio.

“On the bench Iain Carmichael and Chris Anderson both join us on ‘emergency cover’ as hooker and loose head prop.

“New recruit Marcus Goodwin will make his debut from the bench. The introduction of Ewan Stewart will mark his return to Super6 rugby along with Mzwandile Mncube both aiming to make an impact off the bench.

“A home fixture for Boroughmuir Bears and a welcome return of Friday night lights at Meggetland lies in store this week.

“After a tough opening round away to Ayrshire Bulls, we face top of the table Heriots Rugby in the first of back-to-back Edinburgh derbies. Heriots have been bolstered in their off season, so bring a threat up front that will pose problems for all teams in the competition.

“Our first home game of the season provides an opportunity to build on last week and the many positives in our performance whilst at the same time, provides the chance to challenge ourselves to make improvements in the areas that we underperformed in as we continue to develop and build through 2022.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

The teamsheets are in ?

Here's how @MuirBears and @HeriotsRugby will line up for Friday night's clash at Meggatland. #FOSROCSuper6 pic.twitter.com/8MWh7bW5Nz

— FOSROC Super6 (@Super6Rugby) April 21, 2022