Ollie Smith Looks Ahead to Scottish Rugby Match of the Week Between Marr Rugby and Ayr RFC

Ollie Smith began his rugby journey at Marr before moving to Ayr, where he progressed into senior rugby before making the step into the professional set-up. 

His introduction to the game came at Marr in Primary 3, aged around seven, after following in the footsteps of his older brother. It did not take long for Smith to discover a love for the sport. 

“My brother was two years older than me and my dad had taken him along when he was in Primary 3 and he had refused to get out the car,” Smith recalled. “So two years later it was my turn and I think I was like a duck to water – I just loved it.” 

Those early years were shaped by the simple routines of youth rugby: weekend training, tournaments and plenty of time spent with teammates. Looking back, it is those experiences away from the pitch that Smith remembers most fondly. 

“It was a lot of fun. We would always train on a Saturday at Fullarton Woods. On the Sunday we would usually have a tournament, maybe in Glasgow and a couple of times we went down to Hawick for the weekend. I just always remember it being enjoyable rugby.” 

Even the small details of those weekends have stayed with Ollie, from the post-training sweet treats to the journey home with his dad. 

“And then on a Saturday there would always be a tuck shop after training. I would always get a couple of pounds from my dad for the tuck shop and then we would drive home and listen to Off the Ball on the radio – so always good memories thinking about my Marr days.” 

Making the Step Into Senior Rugby 

By the time Smith moved to Ayr at Under-15 level, the nature of his rugby was beginning to change. The games carried greater significance, training became more structured and the expectations around performance increased. 

“When I moved to Ayr it was Under-15s and Under-16s, so it starts to get a little more serious and a bit more weight attached to the games and tournaments,” he explained. 

That increased focus was matched by a strong coaching environment at Ayr. With a large squad and a clear approach, Smith and his teammates enjoyed considerable success in the competitions they entered. 

“We had a regimented coaching set-up and they had a clear goal and I think that’s why we were quite successful as a team. We had a big squad and I think we had enough for two full teams and we were very successful in the competitions we played in.” 

Alongside his club rugby, Smith attended Strathallan School, where he continued to develop as a player and enjoyed success, helping the school win the Scottish Schools Cup in 2017. 

After leaving school, Smith returned to Ayr’s first XV and faced another significant transition: stepping out of schoolboy rugby and into the senior game. Under the guidance of head coach Peter Murchie, he began to experience the demands of a semi-professional environment. 

“When I went back after school we had a good coaching set-up and a good squad. Peter was our head coach when I first started and he was great for me starting that journey into semi-pro lifestyle and the jump from schoolboy to men’s rugby.” 

Smith was part of the Ayr side that won the Premiership and Scottish Cup double, before going on to represent the Ayrshire Bulls in the inaugural Super6 season in 2019/20, where he was named Player of the Year. 

It was a period that bridged the gap between the player Smith had been developing into at club and school level and the professional career that followed. 

The Ayrshire Rugby Pathway 

Smith is one of a number of players to emerge from the Ayrshire rugby community and progress into the professional game, with Stafford McDowall, Ross Thompson and others also coming through the region’s schools and clubs in recent years. 

For Smith, that pathway is rooted in more than simply the quality of the rugby. The strength of the Ayrshire scene, he believes, is also tied to the sense of community surrounding the clubs. 

“I felt like when you played at Millbrae there was a strong fan base there,” he said. “It’s situated in a small village and they all come out for the game days and it makes for a good atmosphere. 

“You would have a chip on your shoulder that you wouldn’t want to lose, especially not at home at Millbrae.” 

A Meeting of Two Former Clubs 

That connection to both clubs gives Smith a particularly close interest in this weekend’s meeting, as Marr and Ayr prepare to go head-to-head in Scottish Rugby’s Match of the Week. 

The U18 Boys’ Open Competition fixture gets underway at 10:30am, with the match available to watch live on the Scottish Rugby YouTube channel. 

Marr are still searching for their first win after three games, while Ayr made a winning start against Stirling County before suffering defeats in their following two matches. 

With both sides eager to change their fortunes, Smith expects plenty of intensity when the two clubs meet. 

“I think it’s always a pretty feisty affair,” he said. “I think there is quite a lot of rivalry still going on over there and it’s good – it adds a little bit extra to the game and it makes it that bit more exciting. 

“I think it should be exciting and one I’m keen to watch.” 

And when it came to predicting the outcome, Smith was understandably reluctant to nail his colours too firmly to the mast. 

“Maybe a draw and everyone plays well,” he joked. 

Having represented both clubs at different stages of his journey, there was still one question left to answer: when push comes to shove, where will Smith’s loyalties lie? 

His answer ultimately came back to where it all began. 

“I think I would still have to go with Marr but it’s hard. It’s a lose-lose answer but I think I’d have to lean towards Marr because that’s where my roots are and that’s where I started.” 

Elsewhere, Boroughmuir Rugby, who currently sit fourth in Pool A, travel to Merchiston Castle School on Thursday night. GHA RFC will be searching for their first win of the campaign when they face Dollar Academy on Saturday, while Stirling County host Glenalmond College. 

Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership 

In the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership, Edinburgh Accies and Glasgow Hawks go head-to-head in a bottom-of-the-table clash, with both sides still searching for their first win of the season. 

Hawick will take confidence from last week’s strong performance against Ayr as they look to go one step further and secure their first win of the season against GHA RFC. 

Defending champions Ayr make the trip to Poynder Park, where Kelso RFC will be hoping to cause an upset. 

Melrose Rugby welcome Heriot’s Rugby Men as they seek a response to last week’s last-minute defeat against Currie Chieftains. 

Elsewhere, Watsonians FC host Currie Chieftains in another Edinburgh derby, with local bragging rights up for grabs. 

Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership 

Round three of the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership gets underway with Corstorphine RFC still searching for their first win of the campaign when they take on Watsonians FC, having suffered defeats in their opening two matches. 

At Gordon Park, Garioch RFC host Stirling County in a top-versus-bottom clash, with the visitors aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. 

Heriot’s Rugby Women make the trip to Hillhead Jordanhill RFC, where the hosts will be hoping to make it three wins from three following their strong start to the campaign. 

Biggar have made an impressive start to the season and will be aiming to continue that form when Cartha Queen’s Park visit Dumbreck Road.