Murchie steps up from Super6

Murchie becomes the first Head Coach to graduate, after the first season of the FOSROC Super6, into a full-time professional rugby setting.

The former full-back amassed 116 appearances for Glasgow Warriors as a player and returned to the club earlier this season when Danny Wilson invited him to work with the team.

Prior to Murchie leading the Ayrshire Bulls in the inaugural FOSROC Super6 season he was Head Coach of Ayr for two years where he led them to their double-winning campaign in 2018/19.

Murchie’s consistent form for Glasgow saw him first called into the Scotland squad ahead of the 2012 autumn internationals, before earning his first cap in South Africa on the 2013 summer tour.

He started his coaching career with Stade Nicois courtesy of Scottish Rugby’s involvement with the French side, joining as a player/coach in the summer of 2017 before hanging up his boots in January 2018.

Murchie said: “Obviously a few things have changed since I was at Scotstoun, but there are still a few familiar faces and it’s a club that I know well.

I learnt a tremendous amount during my time at Ayr and with Ayrshire Bulls – for me, it was vital that I had that experience.
Pete Murchie

You learn on the job in a way, because it’s very different to being a player. You make mistakes and you learn from those. I’m incredibly grateful to Ayr – they’re a great club and I’m eternally thankful to them.

“There are a lot of quality players in Scottish rugby coming out of the academy system and the age-grade teams, working with guys like Ollie [Smith] at the FOSROC Super6 level has given me first-hand experience of what these guys can do. They’re starting to come through and take their opportunities, which can only be a good thing for everyone involved with the club. It’s vital for the future.

“The coaches have all been extremely welcoming, and I’m really grateful to Danny [Wilson] first for the invitation to come and work with the team and then for the chance to join full-time. They’re a great group that are trying to push the club forward, and it’s a great environment to be involved in.”

Ayrshire Bulls CEO Billy McHarg congratulated his club’s former Head Coach on his new role, saying: “It’s no surprise to me that Pete is now joining Glasgow Warriors as Assistant Coach.

“During his time with Ayrshire Bulls and Ayr RFC he has been an excellent Head Coach, built on his work ethic and attention to detail. He was well liked at the club and we wish him well.

“Glasgow Warriors’ gain is Ayrshire Bulls loss; however, we would never stand in the way of a coach or player progressing into any professional set up from our FOSROC Super6 team.”

FOSROC Super6 Tournament Director, Stephen Gemmell, said: “As a young ambitious coach, this is a fantastic opportunity for Pete to move up in his coaching career.

“It’s a natural progression from his full-time role as Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach where he was pivotal in building a successful squad to compete in the inaugural FOSROC Super6 season in 2019/2020.

“The development of coaches is a key strand of Super6 and Pete’s progression into the role with Warriors is clear evidence of how that can work.”
FOSROC Super6 Tournament Director, Stephen Gemmell.

The recruitment process for the Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach is now underway, further information on how to apply can be found HERE.