Watsonian FC withdraw from Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership play-off semi-final
6 Mar 2026
Watsonian FC have withdrawn from the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership play-off semi-final due to lack of available players, resulting in Ayr RFC receiving a bye and progressing to the Final of the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership final on 21 March.
To maintain the credibility of the competition and avoid additional pressure on the playing calendar, Scottish Rugby considered all other options to fulfil the tie and after consultation with the clubs involved and the wider Premiership Forum, subsequently informed Ayr RFC that they will receive a bye and progress to the final.
Vicky Cox, Scottish Rugby’s Head of Competitions and Compliance, said: “At such a vital time in the season, it is important to us to ensure integrity of the competition. We are disappointed by this situation given the weekend in question was an agreed standby weekend, but respect Watsonian FC’s decision to withdraw from the play-off semi-final.”
The Premiership Final will be broadcast, in line with the agreement with BBC Alba, on Saturday 21 March.
Ayr will contest the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership Final against Currie Chieftains at Millbrae with a 4.10pm kick-off.
