It is going to be a nail-biting weekend for the top four teams in the table as they all have the chance to be in the 1st v 2nd playoff next weekend.

Both Ayrshire Bulls and Watsonians have 18 points apiece as they currently sit in the top two spaces of the league table. The teams will meet for the first time this Sprint on Friday evening, and a loss for either side would likely see them drop out of the top two.

Currently sitting top of the table and with the home advantage this weekend Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach Pat McArthur discussed the intensity that this weekend brings.

Pat said: “The squad understands what is required to win at the weekend and will be going out with a game plan and confidence behind them. Watsonians are a strong team with threats across the park which has sharpened focus going into the final regular season game.

“The reason we are involved in Super Series rugby is to develop players for the professional system and to win in a highly competitive league. We will push hard to perform to the best of our abilities this weekend.

Reflecting on the competitiveness of the rugby in this year’s Sprint, Pat added:

“Having the pro teams involved in the series has been an added bonus for us this year. Increasing the standard of the competition as well as additional challenge of playing fully professional teams has been brilliant. I also believe the competition has again grown to be more competitive across the league with physical matches showing great conditioning and skills across all games.”

Looking ahead to Friday’s evening clash with Ayrshire Bulls, Watsonians Head Coach Stevie Scott knows they must give it all they have to secure their position in the top playoff spot and retain the Super Series Sprint silverware:

“This is why everyone is involved in this tournament is to finish top, so everyone is looking forward to the last round of league games. Training has been good this week with a clear lift in intensity as we travel to Millbrae to meet the Bulls.”

Stirling Wolves’ Ryan Southern on the ball during the 2022 FOSROC Super6 Sprint decider match between Watsonians v Stirling Wolves. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Both Stirling Wolves and Heriot’s Rugby currently sit third and fourth in the league table with 16 points each ahead of their clash this weekend at Goldenacre.

Stirling Wolves played Watsonians in the 2022 FOSROC Super6 Sprint decider and were narrowly defeated by three points with the game being decided in the last play of the game. They will be looking for their shot at redemption this year but first they must beat Heriot’s for the chance to secure their place.

As the team heads into the weekend Stirling Wolves Head Coach, Eddie Pollock is confident that the Wolves have what it takes to make it into the top playoff spot.

Eddie said: “It’s fantastic for the competition that we go into the penultimate weekend where any of the top four sides can win the top prize. For me the introduction of the Pro A sides lifted the intensity of the players and set the bar for improved performances.

“We entered this year’s competition striving to be the best we could possibly be and to keep improving week on week. Our focus this week won’t change, I know we won’t leave anything out there.”

Heriot’s Rugby Head Coach, Ben Cairns is also confident that his team this weekend will do whatever it takes to secure their spot in the playoffs off the back of their draw last weekend against Ayrshire Bulls.

Ben said: “We’ve been very happy with the way the players have prepped every week so far and have urged them to continue that again this week. The players are really excited for the weekend, we believe this is our best opportunity to reach a final since the competition began, and we intend to make the most of it. Winning would give everyone a huge boost as we head into the Championship Series.

“I think this year’s Sprint Series has probably been the most competitive competition so far. You only have to look at how close the majority of the games have been and the fact that in Round 3 the Bears, who lie 5th, were able to beat the Bulls, who currently lie in 1st place.”

Southern Knights take on Boroughmuir Bears in a precursor for next weekend’s 5th v 6th playoff at Meggetland. Bears currently sit in fifth with Knights sixth, and neither side are able to change their position in the table ahead of the final round.

Round 6 this weekend sees Watsonians travelling to Millbrae on Friday night to face Ayrshire Bulls (kick-off 7.35pm). In addition, Saturday boasts two games which will see Heriot’s Rugby welcome Stirling Wolves to Goldenacre (kick-off 3pm) and Southern Knights take on Boroughmuir Bears at the Greenyards (kick-off 5pm).

For more information on where to watch this weekend’s games, click HERE.