On Friday evening Southern Knights host Stirling County under Friday night lights at The Greenyards.

On Saturday Heriot’s Rugby host Boroughmuir Bears in an Edinburgh derby at Goldenacre and on Sunday the action returns to Myreside as Watsonians host Ayrshire Bulls.

Sunday 10 October: Watsonians Rugby v Ayrshire Bulls

Ayrshire Bulls make the trip to the capital this afternoon to face Watsonians Rugby in the last fixture in the ten regular rounds of competition before next weekends’ final fixtures.

Although Ayrshire Bulls have already secured their spot in the FOSROC Super6 final next Sunday, Watsonians Rugby will be looking to earn themselves one league point which would enable them home advantage over Stirling County in the 3^rd v 4^th final on Friday night.

Spectators are welcomed to Myreside but if you can’t be there you can watch all the action live on FreeSports with commentary from Jamie Lyall and Graeme Beveridge, presented by Dougie Vipond.

Match Officials
Ref: Ian Kenny
AR1: Keith Allen
AR2: Michael Todd
NO4: Willie Anderson
Time: Andy Summers

Watsonians Rugby Head Coach Fergus Pringle said: “It doesn’t come much tougher than facing an in-form Ayrshire Bulls team on Sunday at Myreside. They have won their last five games and have the best defence and attack record in the league. Pat and his coaching team have done a fantastic job to get them playing such a well-balanced, effective game.

“For us, as a group, it’s a chance to test ourselves against the top team in the league and put in a performance that we’re proud of.

“There are seven changes to the starting team from our game against Boroughmuir. There are four in the pack where Karl Main, Cal Davies and Sam Grahamslaw return to the starting pack, and Ben Muncaster comes in to play his first game for Watsonians as a fulltime pro, having missed out on playing for us as an academy player last year.

“Kwagga Van Niekerk returns to the bench after recovering from injury. In the backs, Reiss Cullen returns at scrum-half, Scott King returns at inside centre and will be partnered by Matt Currie. It’s great to have Matt involved for the first time at Watsonians, having made his Edinburgh debut as an academy player before his Super6 debut with us.”

Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach Pat MacArthur said: “We travel to Watsonians for the final regular game of the season. Watsonians have had a tough few weeks but will be desperate to finish the season on a high, we know from our encounter with them earlier in the season that they are a good team and we will have to play well to get a result. For ourselves it represents a chance to keep building towards the final and for players to stake a claim for final spots.

“A number of changes this week with first starts for Ewan Bulger, Finn Callaghan and Tom Lanni. We also see Calvin Henderson, Rhodri Tanner, Gavin Wilson, Rory Jackson and Matt Minogue promoted from the bench, giving everyone the opportunity to state a claim for the finals squad. Christian Townsend, Jamie Drummond, Adam McGowan and Gavin Lowe, who will make his first appearance this season returning form a long term injury, come onto the bench.”

Watsonians Rugby: 15. Dom Coetzer, 14. Harvey Elms, 13. Matt Currie, 12. Scott King, 11. Lomond Macpherson, 10. Joe Reynolds, 9. Reiss Cullen; 1. Sam Grahamslaw, 2. Cal Davies, 3. Angus Williams CAPTAIN, 4. Luis Ball, 5. Michael Badenhorst, 6. Ben Muncaster, 7. Karl Main, 8. Sam Daly.
Replacements: 16. Ross Graham, 17. Harrison Courtney, 18. Nathan Borel, 19. Kwagga Van Niekerk, 20. Campbell Wilson, 21. Roan Frostwick, 22. Marc Morrison, 23. Ru Smith

Ayrshire Bulls: 15. Elias Caven, 14. Aaron Tait, 13. Tom Lanni, 12. Robert Beattie, 11. Finn Callaghan, 10. Matt Minogue, 9. Jordan Lenac CAPTAIN; 1. George Thornton, 2. Rhodri Tanner, 3. Calvin Henderson, 4. Ewan Hamilton-Bulger, 5. Tom Everard, 6. Rory Jackson, 7. Gavin Wilson, 8. Ryan Sweeney
Replacements: 25. Alex McGuire, 17. Ruairidh Sayce, 18. Michael Scott, 16. Blair MacPherson, 19. Jamie Drummond, 21. Christian Townsend, 22.Gavin Lowe, 23. Adam McGowan

SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER: Heriot’s Rugby v Boroughmuir Bears 

Boroughmuir Bears make the short trip to Goldenacre this afternoon to face city rivals Heriot’s Rugby, a win for either side would guarantee themselves home advantage in the 5th v 6th final next Saturday.

If you can’t make it to Goldenacre highlights of the game will be available on Sunday morning, with commentary from Dale Clancy.

Match Officials:
Ref: Finlay Brown
AR1: Ross Mabon
AR2: Alistair Watt

Heriot’s Rugby Head Coach Andrew Kelly said: “We are looking to learn from our errors last week and put in a performance against Boroughmuir Bears. The Bears will be confident after a good win against Watsons so it will be another tough encounter.

“We are looking to give some of our younger guys a chance to perform at this level. The challenge for this group is to be more consistent with their execution in attack.”

Boroughmuir Bears Head Coach Graham Shiel said: “We were pleased with the outcome last week as we strived for continued improvement individually and collectively, although conceding two late tries took the shine off an otherwise solid performance. We were able to capitalize on moments of very good play last week which kept the scoreboard moving in the right direction for us and fortunately were able to hold on to a late surge by Watsonians and cap off a very good afternoon.

“We recognize the potential that Heriots possess and the Bears need to match Heriots in all areas and find ways to perform at the best of our ability repeating the good aspects of our performances throughout the 2021 season. As has been the theme throughout our season it requires another huge shift from the squad this week to achieve the levels we need to be competitive and enable us to challenge a strong Heriots squad in the final round of games.

“A unique position to be in for the Bears coaching team being able to field a very settled starting XV. Only one change to the starting XV sees Callum Ramm return from injury on the wing and Tom Brown moves from wing to start at full back.

“Cole Lamberton is the only other change to the squad coming into the squad as front row cover. We are very grateful to Watsonians Rugby for allowing Cole to join The Bears this week as a ‘Permit Player’, having played against The Bears last weekend coming off the bench. We also retain Scott Habib in the match day squad as an ‘emergency cover’ from our club 1st XV, thanks to the understanding of Rchard Sievwright and his coaching team.”

Heriot’s Rugby: 15. Ross Jones, 14. Ben Evans, 13. Rory McMichael, 12. Stuart Edwards, 11. Callum Young, 10. Bruce Houston, 9. Lloyd Wheeldon; 1. Michael Jones, 2. Michael Liness, 3. Dan Gamble, 4. Callum Marshall, 5. Fraser Hastie (25), 6. Ruairidh Lishman, 7. Iain Wilson CAPTAIN, 8. Jason Hill.
Replacements: 16. Chris Keen, 17. Andrew Nimmo, 18. Josh Scott, 19. Ronan Seydak, 20. Jack McClean, 21. Alex Ball, 22. Matt Russell, 23. James Couper.

Boroughmuir Bears: 15. Tom Brown, 14. Callum Ramm, 13. Duncan Munn, 12. Robbie McCallum*, 11. Jordan Edmunds, 10. Martin Cimprich , 9. Kaleem Barreto; 1. Ross Dunbar, 2. Craig McKenzie, 3. Martin McGinley, 4. Euan Ferrie*, 5. Jack Fisher, 5. Craig Keddie, 7. Rhys Tait*, 8. Trystan Andrews
Replacements: 16. Finlay Scott, 17. Cole Lamberton, 18. Scott Habib, 19. Scott McGinley, 20. Ronan Kerr, 21. Murray Johnstone, 22. Kyle McGhie, 23. Mzwandile Mncube

FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER: Southern Knights v Stirling County

Stirling County make the trip to the Borders this evening knowing that a fourth win on the trot could secure them a third-place finish and home advantage in the 3^rd v 4^th final on Friday 15 October.

For those who can’t make it to The Greenyards this evening you can watch it live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport Scotland channel with commentary from Hugh Dan MacLeannan and Ciaran Beattie.

Match officials:

Ref: Hollie Davidson
AR1: David Changleng
AR2: Walter Gaffney
Time: Alan Forrest

Southern Knights Head Coach Rob Chrystie said: “This weekend’s game will be our last home game of the season and it is shaping up to be a busy night at the Greenyards with hospitality almost full.

“Friday night lights at the Greenyards has worked really well this season. This weekends opponents Stirling County have been involved in some hugely exciting games this year and are playing an exciting brand of rugby, so we should be in for a cracking game.

“Grant Shiells will lead the team out from loose head and Daniel Suddon starts in the second row. FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy player Jacob Henry returns to the squad this weekend and starts in the back three at full-back with Iain Sim on the right wing.”

Stirling County Head Coach Ben Cairns said: “Three wins from three puts us in a great position to fight for that home 3rd/4th spot. Knights are also the only side we haven’t beaten this season, having drawn in round one, so there is a lot to play for at the Greenyards this weekend.

“The Southern Knights have probably been the most consistent performers in the league this season and deserve their spot in the final. Rob and his coaching team have set them up very well, they are a difficult side to break down and create a lot of scoring opportunities.

Although already qualified for the final, I am sure they will want to finish the regular season on a high, particularly since it will be their last home match this year, so we are under no illusions how difficult a challenge it will be but we are looking forward to it.

“The backline sees a bit of rotation as we look to give guys an opportunity ahead of the 3rd/4th final match next week. Marcus Holden, who returned from injury last week and impressed when he came on, starts at full-back with Craig Robertson moving the other way.

“Craig Jardine gets the nod at inside centre with Grant Hughes moving to scrum-half, Caleb Korteweg dropping out of the starting XV and Landon Hayes dropping out of the match-day squad. Coming back onto the bench are JP Phelan, having recovered from illness, Byron Bowes, fresh from winning varsity with St Andrews University and Callum Cruickshank, who has recovered from injury, who will all look to have a big impact on proceedings.”

Southern Knights: 15. Jacob Henry 14. Sam Pecqueur 13. Nyle Godsmark 12. Billy Wara, 11. Iain Sim, 10. Jason Baggott. 9. Murdo Mcandrew; 1. Grant Sheills CAPTAIN, 2. Fraser Renwick, 3. Calum Crookshanks, 4. Daniel Suddon, 5. Angus Runciman, 6. Ruaridh Knott, 7. Allan Ferrie, 8. Harry Borthwick
Replacements: 16. Russell Anderson, 17. Shaun Gunn,18. Euan Mclaren, 19. Dalton Redpath, 20. Andrew Mitchell, 21. Cameron Jones, 22. Patrick Anderson, 23. Keiran Clark

Stirling County: 15. Marcus Holden, 14. Steven Hamilton, 13. Archie Russell, 12. Craig Jardine, 11. Tom Roche, 10. Euan Cunningham, 9. Grant Hughes; 1. Adam Wood, 2. Reyner Kennedy CAPTAIN, 3. Lewis Skinner, 4. James Pow, 5. Max Williamson, 6. George Arnott, 7. Connor Gordon, 8. Dean Taylor-Menzies.
Replacements: 16. Angus Fraser, 17. George Breese, 18. JP Phelan, 19. Byron Bowes, 20. Callum Cruickshank, 21. Caleb Korteweg, 22. Andrew Goudie, 23. Craig Robertson