Preview – Round 4 rearranged FOSROC Super6

Heriot’s Rugby v Stirling County 2pm

Heriot’s will be looking to continue their good run of form from the previous weekends as the now sit third in the table. They have made few changes to their team who beat Southern Knights last weekend, in the front row Ali Johnstone packs down alongside Murray McCallum and Josh Scott while Ronan Seydak and Charlie Jupp come into the second and back rows respectively.

The back line remains largely unchanged, James Spencer starts over Jack Blain who moves to the bench and Robbie Chalmers impressed last weekend so retains his starting spot at full back.

Head Coach, Phil Smith said: “The team put in a strong performance last week against the Southern Knights and we are confident going into another at Goldenacre.

“Although will be fully aware that Stirling County will come well prepared and looking for another win.”

Ben Cairns will travel to the capital looking for an improved performance from his squad. The Stirling forward pack welcomes Dean Taylor-Menzies, Connor Gordon and Ollie Bartlett while Sean Kennedy and Bruce Sorbie earn their first starting positions in the back line.

Cairns said: “We have had one of our best training weeks of the season. We know we were below par, especially in the second half, versus the Bulls last weekend. They showed us a clinical edge that we lacked, and the boys have worked tirelessly to try and resolve that for this weekend.

“Heriot’s are in good form having completed the double versus the Knights and are playing with real confidence. They are the only FOSROC Super6 side we are still to play.

“Saturday is a huge match for us, having been in contention in every match but only picking up one win. We are determined to put in a performance that we can be proud of and that allows us to go into the Christmas break on a high.”

Ayrshire Bulls v Watsonians 3pm 

Second place Ayrshire Bulls host FOSROC Super6 league leaders Watsonians to Millbrae in a top of the table clash.

Lewis Anderson and Ruairidh Sayce start in the front row for the Bulls while Gavin Wilson earns a start at openside flank. In the back-line Tom Jordan starts at inside centre with Craig Gossman earning a place on the wing.

Head Coach Peter Murchie knows that the opposition will provide a real threat to the Bulls run of good form. He said: “Watsonains are five wins from five, something that does not happen by accident.

“They are a well drilled team who have a number of threats across the park. We were pleased with aspects of our performance against Stirling last week, but we will need to raise the performance level again on Saturday, and for the full 80 minutes to get the desired result.”

Watsonians remain the only unbeaten team in the FOSROC Super6, Head Coach Fergus Pringle has made only three changes to his squad who beat Boroughmuir Bears last weekend. Finlay Simpson starts at second row with Campbell Wilson starting in the front row and Michael Badenhorst in the back row. In the backs there is only one change as Agues Guthrie replaces Ruaraidh Smith who drops to the bench.

Although top of the table Pringle knows that his squad have parts of their game that they can work on. He said: “While we’ve been grinding out wins, we feel we still have plenty of room to improve. Our aim is to fix some key areas of our game that weren’t up to scratch against Boroughmuir and then put in a disciplined 80-minute performance on Saturday.

“Bulls have built some momentum over the last few weeks and we are under no illusions as to how tough a task it will be if we are to come out on top.”

The third rearranged fixture of round 4 of the FOSROC Super6 takes place on Friday 10 January when Boroughmuir Bears host Southern Knights.