For 18-year old prop Jake Shearer it will be a step up from the Ayr 1st XV side who won National League Division 1 before Christmas.  

Shearer, a product of Cumnock (now The Robert Burns) Academy in Ayrshire came through the youth ranks at Cumnock RFC and Ayr before making his senior debut in the back row for the Millbrae side in April last year.  

Since then, he’s had the opportunity to experience Super Series rugby with the FOSROC Future XV in the 2023 Championship and was part of the Scotland U20 training squad prior to the Under-20 Six Nations earlier this year.  

“It’s been quite good [the step up to senior rugby], I enjoy the challenge, something new to work towards.” He told the Scottish Rugby podcast.

“I’ve been at Ayr for five years now, as a wee lad you’re looking up to guys like Blair McPherson coming out the gym just thinking ooft. It’s a bit odd now that I’m playing with him but its good, giving us something to aim for.  

“Every bit that you get better – you instantly just get humbled straight back down. You start getting good at U18s, thinking about senior rugby, then you’re doing decent at seniors, have a go at U20, Super Series…we will see how that goes. 

Jake Shearer in action for Ayr’s youth side. (Image credit: Susie Hay)

As a young front row player Shearer has no one better as a Head Coach than Glasgow Warriors Centurian and Scotland hooker, Pat McArthur. He said: 

“Having Pat as a scrum coach is just great, he teaches us just all the wee bits. He’s great in helping me in open play too, keeping calm and just playing what’s in front of me.”  

You can catch Jake and the rest of the Ayrshire Bulls in action on Friday 19th April at Millbrae as they take on Stirling Wolves in the opening round of the 2024 FOSROC Super Series Sprint, kick-off 7:35pm.