FRIDAY 29 APRIL: SOUTHERN KNIGHTS v STIRLING COUNTY

In the third round of the FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series Southern Knights open the fixture card this weekend when they host Stirling County at the Greenyards.

In the two previous rounds of competition Southern Knights have been defeated by Heriot’s and Watsonians whilst Stirling County have recorded a loss away to Watsonians and a win at home to Ayrshire Bulls

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 be at The Greenyards for Friday night lights, tickets are available online or at the gate: https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/southern-kn…

Match Officials
Referee – Ruairidh Campbell
AR1 – Sam O’Neil
AR 2 – Bob Nevins

What the Coaches said
Bruce Ruthven (Southern Knights) said: “We have a new half back pairing this week with Ben Afshar and Cammy Scott who start. Rudi Brown will make his first start for the Knights after impressing last week and centre Robbie Chalmers makes his first start in the campaign and which will add some experience to the midfield.
“The pack has a more settled look with Wallace Nelson holding onto the number seven jersey after a solid performance last week. James Bett [Selkirk] will make his debut at hooker as he comes in for Russell Anderson as an emergency cover player. Aidan Cross comes onto the bench and will also make his debut for the Knights on Friday night. Jacob Henry returns from Scotland 7`s duty and takes the last spot on the replacements bench.

“It’s really important that we make improvements from last weeks game against Watsonians. We’ve have had a good weeks training with a big emphasis on making more of our chances and start converting opportunities. We played Stirling in a pre-season friendly which was a tight affair and they are coming off a strong win versus the Bulls so were under no illusions how difficult the game is going to be but at the same time everyone is looking forward to it.”

Ben Cairns (Stirling County) said: “There’s a few changes to the side due to a mixture of unavailability and rotation. It’s a new look midfield with DJ Innes coming back in for the unavailable Ben Salmon, Marcus Holden shifting out one position to replace the injured Craig Jardine and Euan Cunningham coming in at stand-off. Harry Russell rotates in for 18-year old Finlay Burgess who has had a great start to the season.

“The pack sees Gregor Hiddleston rotate in for Gus Fraser, Lewis Skinner return from injury and Benedict Grant making his debut at No. 8, debuts also lie in wait for replacements Jake Spurway, Callum Beckett and Mike Gray.

“It was a really good day at Bridgehaugh last Saturday. I felt the boys fed off the home support and put in a performance full of heart and determination against a top Bulls squad. The challenge this week is to create and harness that same energy away from home. Going back to back and away wins have been a rare occurrence for us however, the boys are in confident mood and we will take a lot of belief out of last week’s victory.

“The Knights have been really competitive in both rounds so far and will be targeting this match to pick up their first win of the season. Bruce has done a good job of rebuilding his squad and we know it’ll be a big challenge for us to come away with the spoils on Friday.

“Finally, this is our first Friday night match of the season, broadcast live on Freesports, and we are really looking forward to the special atmosphere this creates.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

A first look at how @Sthrn_Knights & @StirlingCounty line up for tomorrow night’s clash! #FOSROCSuper6 pic.twitter.com/IkkfpUddKS

— FOSROC Super6 (@Super6Rugby) April 28, 2022

SATURDAY 30 APRIL: BOROUGHMUIR BEARS V WATSONIANS RUGBY

Boroughmuir Bears host Watsonians at Meggetland in the 2pm kick off on Saturday.

So far in the Sprint Series, Bears have been defeated by Ayrshire Bulls and Heriot’s, whilst Watsonians have beaten Stirling County and Southern Knights.

How to Watch

The game will be shown live on BBC Sport online, BBC iPlayer and the Scottish Rugby website.

Be there

Tickets are still available for the game at Meggetland; you can pay on the gate or buy here: https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/boroughmuir-rugby/boroughmuir-bears-v-watsonians-rugby-fosroc-super6-1/

Match Officials

Referee – Graham Ormiston
AR1 – Samuel O’Neil
AR2 – Neil Muir

What the Coaches said
Graham Shiel (Boroughmuir Bears) said: “Craig Keddie comes back into the starting XV at No. 8, reclaiming the captaincy from Rhys Tait who did a fantastic job last weekend, again starting at openside and completing the back row, Gregor Brown who is progressing well with increased game time.

“A starting front row who did well against Heriots last week, where Corey Tait improving with every minute of game time, again starts at hooker wedged between Brandon Sweet at Loose Head and Martin McGinley at Tight Head.

“Hamish Bain has recovered from a full 80mins of rugby and we welcome back Euan Ferrie in the second row after missing last week due to injury.

“Ruairidh Swan and Harry Mercer will link up at half-backs again with Robbie McCallum and Duncan Munn outside them in the centres.

“Glen Faulds earns his first start of the campaign in the back 3 taking over from Adam Scott, joining Tom Brown and Joe Jenkins.

“On the bench Iain Carmichael (Glasgow Hawks) and Chris Anderson (Boroughmuir RFC) both join us on ‘emergency cover’ as hooker and loose head prop. Callum Smith returns along with Jack Fisher. Scott McGinley starts from the bench this week having featured heavily in the first 2 games.

“Murray Johnston covers scrum half with Ronan Kerr making his first appearance of the season starting from the bench this week and completing the match day 23 is Adam Scott.

“We welcome our close neighbours Watsonians from across the road to Meggetland. As always, we know that it will be a very tough game and we will have to perform at our best to be competitive in our pursuit of winning our first game of 2022.

“Watsonians come into round 3 unbeaten, having overcome Stirling County and Southern Knights in close encounters.

“As ever the challenge for this group is to individually perform at the level required of the competition for longer periods of the game, looking to reduce errors and in achieving that we can then combine as a squad to put together a performance which allows us to be competitive at Super6 level and to one to be proud off.”

Fergus Pringle (Watsonians) said: “We have a few players back from injury this week in the backs.

“Harry Paterson comes in at Fullback for his first game for the club. It’s great to finally have Harry involved after recovering from long term injury and then being away with Scotland 7s.

“Joe Reynolds starts at 12 with Angus Guthrie moving to the wing. Ryan Daley drops to the bench. Rory Brand gets his first start at 9 and Lee Millar returns from injury onto the bench.

“In the forwards there is one change from last week with Karl Main starting at 7. Callum Norrie replaces Dan Gamble from last week and Patrick Harrison comes onto the bench for his first opportunity in a match day squad.

“We’re really looking forward to the game on Saturday against the Bears.

“We came away with 5 points against a tough Knights team down at Melrose but we know there are a few things we need to improve on collectively.

“The Bears are a tough team that have played well in their first 2 games without getting the rewards. They hold onto ball well and are dangerous in transition situations.

“Their pack has also fronted up well against two strong packs in the first 2 games.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

The team sheets are in for @MuirBears v @WATSONIANFC ⬇️#FOSROCSuper6 pic.twitter.com/AvcZmbSq0b

— FOSROC Super6 (@Super6Rugby) April 29, 2022

SATURDAY 30 APRIL: AYRSHIRE BULLS v HERIOT’S RUGBY

On Saturday afternoon table-toppers Heriot’s make the trip west to face Ayrshire Bulls.

The city side are aiming to make it three wins from three whilst the Bulls will be looking to get back to winning ways following a defeat on the road last weekend.

How to Watch
The game will be shown live on BBC Sport online, BBC iPlayer and the Scottish Rugby website.

Be there
Tickets are still available for the game at Millbrae: https://ayrrugbyclub.co.uk/product/ayrshire-bulls-v-heriots-rugby/…

Match Officials
Ref – Keith Allen
AR1 – Ben Blain
AR2 – Michael Todd

What the Coaches said
Pete Horne (Ayrshire Bulls) said: “This week we are boosted by the return from injury of Ryan Sweeney and Rory Jackson who take their place in the match-day squad. Finn Callaghan earns his first start of the season after an encouraging performance off the bench last week.

“Although it was a disappointing result last weekend there were several very encouraging aspects to our performance. There are still a couple of shifts we need to make to our game but we have had a fantastic training week and I am excited to see the match-day squad go out and represent our group this weekend. Heriot’s have been the pace setters so far this season showing a great blend of power up front with some attacking flair to go with it. It should make for a brilliant game at Millbrae.”

Andrew Kelly (Heriot’s Rugby) said: “Jed Gelderbloom and Jamie Campbell, Contracted Academy players with Edinburgh Rugby, have earned their first starts for the club this week. They have impressed when coming off the bench against the Knights and the Bears. They are both very talented young players with loads of potential. We also welcome back Cammy Hutchison who along side Freddie Owsley have both been released by Edinburgh. Everyone is very excited to see these guys play.

“The Bulls had a tough game at Stirling last week and will be motivated to get a home win this week, so we are in for a tough contest. We are focusing on ourselves again this week. We gave away possession in our own far too easily last week so will focus on trying to play more rugby in the Bulls half. The aim is to go 3 from 3 and the confidence is high in the camp.”

TEAM SELECTIONS

.@HeriotsRugby travel west on Saturday afternoon, aiming to maintain their 100% start to the season versus @AyrshireBulls ?#FOSROCSuper6 pic.twitter.com/Cazh9Y908a

— FOSROC Super6 (@Super6Rugby) April 29, 2022