Derby Day, Friday Night Lights and Premiership Action Await

At Malleny Park, Currie Chieftains face Heriot’s Rugby in an Edinburgh derby that promises to be an entertaining contest. The fixture will be broadcast live on the Scottish Rugby YouTube channel as the second Match of the Week of the season. 

Heriot’s head into Saturday’s clash on the back of an impressive opening-week performance against Hawick. If they can produce a similar display this weekend, they will put themselves firmly into the early mix as they look to challenge Ayr’s pursuit of a third consecutive title. 

Heriot’s Head Coach Stuart Edwards knows his side will have to deliver another strong performance if they are to return to Goldenacre with the victory. 

“We are excited to head to Malleny on Saturday to face Currie. We have had some great battles over the years and this weekend is sure to be similar. 

“We are obviously pleased with our opening-round result against Hawick, but we are not getting ahead of ourselves. We know Currie will provide a real test following their victory over Hawks. I have challenged our players to back up the opening week’s performance.” 

The added factor of the fixture being selected as the Scottish Rugby Match of the Week brings another layer of excitement, with the game set to be broadcast live and accessible to supporters across the country. 

Edwards added: “As coaches, we know each other well, and Saturday is sure to be an exciting fixture and, hopefully, a great advert for Premiership rugby in Scotland. It is great to see the game being live streamed on the Scottish Rugby YouTube channel, allowing supporters to access the fixture across the country and beyond.” 

Currie will be looking to prevent the likes of Ross McKnight and Thomas Glendinning from producing a repeat of last week’s impressive performances, as they look to build on their opening-round victory over Glasgow Hawks. 

Currie Head Coach, Mark Cairns, said: “We were pleased with how we started the league against Hawks last week, but Heriot’s will present a different challenge. They played very well against Hawick and looked really sharp, so we know we’ll need to step up again this week. We’re really looking forward to our first home game this season. With all three senior teams playing at Malleny on Saturday, there should be a great buzz around the club and hopefully a good crowd there to support them team.” 

Elsewhere in the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership, the first Border derby of the season takes place at Mansfield Park, with Hawick hosting Kelso. Both sides will be eager to claim local bragging rights with Hawick looking to secure their first points of the season. 

Watsonians will also be looking to bounce back from their opening-round defeat to Ayr when they welcome GHA to Myreside. 

Melrose play their first home game of the season as they host Glasgow Hawks, while Edinburgh Accies will be hoping to secure their first win of the campaign when they welcome the men from Millbrae, Ayr, to Raeburn Place. 

All Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership fixtures take place on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm. 

It is also a busy weekend in the Boys’ U18 Open Competition, with Dollar Academy, Merchiston Castle School, Strathallan School and Glenalmond College all beginning their campaigns. 

The action gets underway under the Friday night lights, with Edinburgh Academy hosting Dollar Academy, Merchiston Castle School travelling to George Watson’s College and Stirling County welcoming Strathallan School. 

The remaining fixtures take place on Saturday, with Ayr facing Erskine Stewart Melville, GHA looking to secure their first win of the competition against Boroughmuir and Marr hosting Glenalmond College, who will make their Open Competition debut. 

With the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership also getting underway with four fixtures on Saturday, it promises to be another busy weekend across the Scottish Rugby domestic calendar. 

Read our full preview of the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership season here.