Friday 31 May: Southern Knights v Stirling Wolves
KO 7:35pm

How to Watch
This Friday’s game will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA with coverage starting from 7.30pm.

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 on the BBC ALBA channel on BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/bbcalba and BBC Alba YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/bbcalba.

Be There
Tickets are available from Southern Knights HERE

Match Officials 
Ref Mike Adamson
AR 1 Sam O’Neil
AR 2 Bob Nevins

Coaches Comments 
Scott Wight (Southern Knights): “With it potentially being our last ever game at the Greenyards we’re looking to go out with a performance. We’ve had a lot of positives throughout most games but we’ve got to be consistently better across the 80minutes.  We’re very much aware Stirling need to come down and win to be in the final so it’s going to be very difficult, but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to.”

Eddie Pollock (Stirling Wolves): “We again have a very settled squad with Macenzzie Duncan returning from injury replacing the unavailable Ruaridh Knott. Jare Oguntibeju and Craig Jackson rotate in for Archie Clarke and Euan Cunningham who join the finishers after strong performances last week against the Bears. JP Phelan returns to Wolves as an injury replacement for Ben Cullen.  

“Knights had a strong second half against Heriot’s last week and are improving every week. They are a committed strong side playing at the Greenyards which is never an easy challenge. We need to match that physicality and commitment if we are to impose ourselves on the game.  

“The result last week was pleasing however we were disappointed with our defensive effort and need to show a big improvement in all aspects of that area this week. The players know how important the game is and will be looking to put in a performance on both sides of the ball that gives us the best chance of a positive result.”

Team Selections

Saturday 1 June: Watsonians v Boroughmuir
KO 3pm

How to Watch
Highlights of the game will be here on Monday.

Be There
Tickets are available from Watsonians HERE

Match Officials
Ref Rob McDowell
AR 1 David Young
AR 2 David Changleng

Coaches Comments
Watsonians Head Coach Fraser Brown: “Last weeks narrow loss to Edinburgh was both very encouraging and frustrating in equal measure. I was really pleased in how we approached the game, dominating territory and the momentum for most of the game. However our accuracy around our set-piece and inside Edinburgh’s 22 was poor and ultimately cost us the game. 

This week we will have to take every opportunity available to us. We know the Bears are dangerous from anywhere on the pitch and have a real attacking mindset. We will have to be at our best defensively and a lot more clinical when we get the ball.” 

Boroughmuir Bears Coach Graham Shiel: “Very similar appraisal of round 5 as it was of round 4, there were some improvements in our performance last week, but overall it was a disappointing result for the Bears.  

We did not create as many opportunities last week as we did in round 4, but ironically, we had a strike rate and scored more points. Consistency with the better aspects of our game are what we crave, but I suspect all coaches would say the same. We need to continue to work hard right the the end to find the improvements we need to allow us to be competitive in this competition. We have a young group of players who are learning some hard lesssons, but I hope that it stands the players in good stead moving forward around consequences and how costly errors and missed opportunities can be. Better learning them now at his level rather than ahead when it could be more costly for them.  

There was a good crowd last weekend on a nice sunny Saturday afternoon at Meggetland and whilst the result did not go for us, the spectators were treated to some open (too open for my liking) rugby and a feast of scores. While I am sure the spectators would wish for a similar outcome this weekend, I hope it is a lot closer from a Bears point of view and that we can find a way to weave the positive parts of our performances to date, together and get closer to an 80 minute performance as we move towards the curtain coming down on Super Series.  

Watsonians have been one of the top performing sides in the competition, with strong squads throughout their existence, with this season being no different. We will be expecting another very physical encounter this weekend as we complete the last of the regular rounds before the finals weekend. Watsonains will be disappointed in their season by their own standards and will be looking form improvements. I hope that the game this weekend lives up to expectations and is a closely contested encounter of the south of Edinburgh as both teams compete for the Allan McNish trophy.  

Ironically it is an away game for us this week versus Watsonians (at Meggetland) so whilst home advantage is not something we have been able to capitilise on to date, maybe an away fixture at home might help?”
Team Selections

Saturday 1 June: Heriot’s v Ayrshire Bulls
KO 3pm

How to Watch
Highlights of the game will be here on Monday.

Be There
Tickets are available from Heriot’s HERE

Match Officials
Ref Hollie Davidson
AR 1 Michael Todd
AR 2 Ciaran Stark

Coaches Comments
Heriot’s Head Coach Ben Cairns: “Matt Davidson is away in Madrid playing against Dupont for GB7s this weekend so Liam Richman moves to 13 and Christian Townsend comes in at 10 against his previous club. Sam Pecqueur rotating in for Lewis Wells is the only other change in a settled backline.  

Wallace Nelson retains his starting berth after an outstanding performance against his old side, including 20 tackles and 0 missed. Wallace moves to the blindside to accommodate the returning Sam Wallace at 7. Charlie Jupp moves into the 2nd row with Pat Spence moving to the bench. The Final change to the pack sees Michael Liness start at hooker.   

On the bench, Sinjin Broad comes in for the very unfortunate Euan McAra, Jason Hill returns to the squad and Rory Jackson, from Heriots Blues, is in line to make his debut providing us with emergency hooker cover.  

Games versus the top side in the competition always mean a bit more. The Bulls have been consistent performers throughout the Sprint with a pretty direct and simple game plan. I am sure they will be looking to get back to winning ways after a tough loss versus a loaded Glasgow A side.   

For us, we have given ourselves a small opportunity to make the playoff final and with what could be our final game ever together at Goldenacre we intend to do all we can to grasp that opportunity.”  

Ayrshire Bulls Coach Pat McArthur: “It doesn’t get much bigger than this. In our last league game of the season, we face an in-form Heriots team in what is effectively a semifinal. With threats across both the forwards and backs, we know we need to be at our absolute best. The disappointment of the last game served as motivation as we concentrated on perfecting the details, and the players are eager to rectify last week’s mistakes.  

Only four changes have been made to the starting lineup, with Grant Stewart, Richie Simpson (returning from Glasgow duties), Fergus Johnston, and Mason Cullen stepping in for the injured David MacCartney, as well as Reiss Cullen, Tim Brown, and Thomas Glendinning who move to the bench.”

Team Selections