Sunday 15 August: Stirling County v Heriot’s Rugby

With both sides looking to record their first win of the season this afternoons match between Stirling County and Heriot’s Rugby will be a tough encounter for both teams.

Crowds are welcome at Bridgehaugh this afternoon, tickets can be bought HERE.

Match officials
Ref: Finlay Brown
AR1: David Sutherland
AR2: Jonny Perriam
No4: Alistair Watt
Time-keeper: Dr Rebecca Wheather

Previous encounters:
Saturday 21 December
Heriot’s Rugby 29-19 Stirling County
Saturday 18 January
Stirling County 15-16 Heriot’s Rugby

On selection Stirling County Head Coach Ben Cairns said: “With a number of players available for the first time, there are several changes to the squad. Tom Roche replaces Craig Robertson who picked up an injury vs Watsonians.

“In the pack, there is a debutant in each row. We are delighted to have Lewis Skinner finally fit and available. It’s been a long old road for Lewis but he’s worked so hard for this moment and we are looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch. Murphy Walker comes in to partner Lewis in the front row.

“The second row sees Max Williamson make his debut and in the back row Callum Crucikshank is the debutant.

“George Breese, JP Phelan & Byron Bowes move to the bench. Debuts also lie in wait for Bradley Luney, Euan Cunningham & Ross McKnight.

“Another tough one to take last Friday night at Myreside. Lots of effort and some heroics in defence but ultimately discipline and accuracy cost us the match.

“We have worked hard to rectify those issues this week and hope we can put them right on Sunday. Heriots are in a similar boat to ourselves and will be desperate to pick up their first win of the season. The scoreline did not reflect how close their game was last weekend and we know they will be coming to Bridgehaugh to right a few wrongs.

It’s our first Sunday match live on Freesports and the whole of the Stirling County community is looking forward to the occasion.”

Stirling County: 15. Tom Roche, 14. Steven Hamilton, 13. Archie Russell, 12. Grant Hughes, 11. Logan Trotter, 10. Andrew Goudie, 9. Kristian Kay; 1. Lewis Skinner, 2. Reyner Kennedy CAPTAIN, 3. Murphy Walker* 4. James Pow, 5. Max Williamson*, 6. Callum Cruickshank, 7. Connor Gordon, 8. George Arnott.

Replacements: 16. Angus Fraser, 17. George Breese, 18. JP Phelan, 19. Byron Bowes, 20. Bradley Luney, 21. Euan Cunningham*, 22. Landon Hayes, 23. Ross McKnight*

Heriot’s Rugby will be looking to record their first win of the season this afternoon when they travel to Bridgehaugh.

On team selection Heriot’s Rugby Head Coach Andrew Kelly said: “As a squad, we have not seen the execution and discipline standards that the players set themselves. The squad selected this week are motivated to meet these standards.

“Both teams are striving for their first win of the season which means it will be an intense contest. We are looking forward to fixing our issues this week. Our focus is on performance.”

Heriot’s Rugby: 15. Ross Jones, 14. Rory McMichael, 13. Robert Kay, 12. Stuart Edwards, 11. Callum Young, 10. Nathan Chamberlain, 9. Alex Ball; 1. Andrew Nimmo, 2. Michael Liness, 3. Dan Gamble, 4. Callum Marshall, 5. Adam Sinclair, 6. Iain Wilson CAPTAIN, 7. Jack McClean, 8. Jack Mann.
Replacements: 16. Cameron Fenton, 17. Josh Scott, 18. Chris Keen, 19. Ruairidh Leishman, 20. Fraser Hastie, 21. Jed Gelderbloom, 22. Bruce Houston, 23. James Couper

Saturday 14 August: Southern Knights v Ayrshire Bulls 

The Southern Knights will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the FOSROC Super6 table this afternoon [Saturday 14 August] when they host Ayrshire Bulls in their first home match of the season.

Fans are welcome to The Greenyards this afternoon, tickets can only be bought HERE.

Match officials for this game are: Keith Allen (ref), Graeme Ormiston (AR1), Ross Mabon (AR2), Bob Nivens (No4) and Graeme Eastland (time-keeper).

Previous encounters:
Saturday 23 November 2019
Southern Knights 10 – 29 Ayrshire Bulls
Sunday 26 January 2020
Ayrshire Bulls 20-29 Southern Knights

On selection Southern Knights Head Coach Rob Chrystie said: “Captain Craig Jackson returns for our first home game of the season and Billy Wara starts on the wing. Euan McLaren comes back in to start at tight head which is the only change in the pack from last weekend.

“Its great to be back at the Greenyards for our first FOSROC Super6 game. Ayrshire Bulls are always a tough prospect and look to have threats across the park. With a big crowd expected, our players are raring to go and determined to put in a performance this weekend.”

Southern Knights: 15. Joe Jenkins, 14. Billy Wara, 13. Nyle Godsmark, 12. Craig Jackson CAPTAIN, 11. Jacob Henry*, 10. Jason Baggott, 9. Murdo Mcandrew; 1. Shaun Gunn, 2. Russell Anderson, 3. Euan McLaren, 4. Angus Runciman, 5. Daniel Sudden, 6. Dalton Redpath, 7. Harri Morris*, 8. Iain Moody
Replacements: 16. Fraser Renwick, 17. Grant Shiells, 18. Calum Crookshanks, 19. Harry Borthwick, 20. Neil Irvine-Hess, 21. Cameron Jones, 22. Cameron Scott, 23. Patrick Anderson
*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player

The Ayrshire Bulls will travel to Melrose this afternoon looking to carry on their winning performance from last weekend, all be it in better conditions.

On team selection Head Coach Pat MacArthur said: “There are two injury forced changes to the starting line-up means Ruairidh Sayce and Gavin Wilson coming in for George Thornton and Yaree Fantini respectively with Craig Miller and Rory Jackson filling their spot on the bench.

“Elias Caven gets his first start swapping places from the bench with Aaron Tait. On the bench we also see Matt Minogue return from injury and Jamie Drummond getting his first opportunity in the Super6.

“Southern Knights away is always a big fixture in the calendar, and one the players look forward to. The Knights are in good form, they have some big forwards and exciting backs so we will have to be ready for the challenge that lies ahead.

“The players have trained well this week and know the performance levels that will be required in what I am sure will be a packed ground with the relaxation of covid restrictions.”

Ayrshire Bulls: 15. Matt Davidson, 14. Elias Caven, 13. Tom Williams, 12. Tom Jordan, 11. Robbie Nairn, 10. Christian Townsend*, 9. Jordan Lenac; 1. Ruairidh Sayce, 2. Rhodri Tanner, 3. Michael Scott, 4. Edward Bloodworth, 5. Tom Everard, 6. Ryan Sweeney, 7. Gavin Wilson, 8. Blair MacPherson CAPTAIN
Replacements: 16. Jamie Drummond*, 17. Craig Miller, 18. Calvin Henderson, 19. Ewan Bulger, 20. Rory Jackson*, 21. Harry Warr, 22. Matt Minogue, 23. Aaron Tait
*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player

Friday 13 August: Boroughmuir Bears v Watsonians Rugby 

Boroughmuir Bears host neighbours Watsonians Rugby tomorrow [Friday 13 August] evening in a game broadcast live on BBC iPlayer or BBC Sport Scotland’s website. If you are outside of the UK and Ireland you can watch the game on the Scottish Rugby website.

Spectators are welcome at Meggetland for the Edinburgh city derby and can be bought HERE.

Match officials for this game will be Ian Kenny (referee), Ruaridh Campbell (AR1), Michael Todd (AR2), David Changleng (No4) and John McLaughlin (time-keeper)

Previous encounters:
Saturday 7 December 2019
Watsonians Rugby 28-10 Boroughmuir Bears
Sunday 15 December 2019
Boroughmuir Bears 20-30 Watsonians Rugby

Each year these two clubs play for the Allan McNish Memorial Trophy of which Watsonians are the current holders.

Allan McNish was a Watsonian backrow forward in the 1960’s, he played for Edinburgh alongside Boroughmuir’s Ken Ross. Allan went on to take over the Edinburgh coaching reins from Boroughmuir’s Arthur Ross. He was a former Watsonians President who died suddenly in 1995 from a heart attack at home, the trophy was introduced by Allan’s family to mark the special connection between the clubs.

The trophy is played for over two legs with the aggregate score defining the overall winner, it will be presented on Sunday 3 October when Watsonians host Boroughmuir Bears at Myreside.

Boroughmuir made a solid start to the 2021 FOSROC Super6 with a win over city rivals Heriot’s at home. The will be looking to keep their home record solid with a victory over their neighbours tomorrow night.

On selection Boroughmuir Bears Head Coach Graham Shiel said: “George Cave comes into the front row to make his first start for Boroughmuir Bears. Jack Fisher starts again at lock with Euan Ferrie and Trystan Andrews makes his first start at No.8.

“Behind the scrum remains settled with the solitary change seeing Tom Brown returning at full-back replacing Callum Ramm with Glen Faulds sliding across to the wing.

“Murray Johnstone earns his first inclusion in the Bears squad for 2021 and will come off the bench at scrum-half.

“We are delighted to be at home again and to welcome neighbours Watsonians to Meggetland.

“Watsonians arrive in good form so nothing less than our very best will get close to our opposition, but we can say the same for all teams as has been shown over the first two weekends.

“Watsonians carry threats throughout their squad and the Bears squad is in no doubt around the size of task ahead for the group this weekend. They are very much up for the challenge and the chance to face the competition joint leaders.”

Boroughmuir Bears: 15. Tom Brown, 14. Glen Faulds, 13. Michael Gray*, 12. Robbie McCallum*, 11. Jordan Edmunds, 10. Tom Pittman, 9. Kaleem Barreto; 1. George Cave, 2. Craig McKenzie, 3. Dan Winning CO-CAPTAIN, 4.Jack Fisher, 5. Euan Ferrie*, 6. Craig Keddie CO-CAPTAIN, 7.Rhys Tait*, 8. Trystan Andrews.

Replacements: 16. Cameron MacMillan, 17. Ross Dunbar, 18. AP McWilliam, 19. Ewan Stewart, 20. Scott McGinley, 21. Murray Johnstone, 22. Martin Cimprich, 23. Mzwandile Mncube

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player

Watsonians made it two from two last weekend with a late try by FOSROC Player of the Match Sam Daly, they will look to continue this recent form across the road at Boroughmuir Bears tomorrow night.

Head Coach Fergus Pringle has made five changes in his pack alone. He said: “Squad depth is going to be really important in this competition as games come round quickly and consistently. We have rotated our pack again with five changes.

“The front row that came off the bench against Stirling start and Kwagga Van Niekerk returns after recovering from a knock against Ayr. Luis ball gets a start at blindside flanker.

“In the backs Murray Scott gets a deserved chance and Marc Morrison makes his first start for the club at stand-off. Jordan Venter starts with Lomond Macpherson dropping to the bench. Sam Grahamslaw back in the squad for first time since our last game in season 1.”

“We were pleased to get the win against Stirling last week in a game where we had a lot of territory and possession but couldn’t caplitalise on that to put points on the board.

“Boroughmuir Bears have made a good start to the season with that win at home to Heriots and they stuck in well against Ayr in tough conditions, winning the second half.

We are looking forward to the game at Meggetland where there’s always a good atmosphere on Friday nights, and we know we have to be at our best with a disciplined, clinical performance in order to get the job done.”

Watsonians Rugby: 15. Jamie Forbes CAPTAIN, 14. Harvey Elms, 13. Lewis Berg, 12. Dominic Coetzer, 11. Jordan Venter, 10. Marc Morrison, 9. Murray Scott; 1. Matias Sonzogni Argiro, 2. Cal Davies, 3. Angus Williams, 4. Kwagga Van Niekerk, 5. Michael Badenhorst, 6. Luis Ball, 7. Connor Boyle, 8. Sam Daly.

Replacements: 16. Ross Graham, 17. Sam Grahamslaw, 18. Steven Longwell, 19. Karl Main, 20. Harry Fisher, 21. Roan Frostwick*, 22. Scott King, 23.Lomond Macpherson

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player