SUNDAY 29 AUGUST: Boroughmuir Bears v Stirling County 

Boroughmuir Bears welcome Stirling County this afternoon for the final game in the fifth round this year’s FOSROC Super6, which you can watch live on FreeSports or HERE on the Scottish Rugby website if you are outside of the UK and Ireland – commentary will be provided by Stuart McFarlane and Chris Laidlaw with host Dougie Vipond.

The Boroughmuir Bears are welcoming spectators to Meggetland for Sunday’s game, and tickets can be bought HERE.

Match officials:
Ref: Graeme Ormiston
AR1: Keith Allen
AR2: Ross Mabon
No4: Kevin McGhee
Time: Dr Rebecca Wheather

Previous encounters:
Friday 8 November 2019
Boroughmuir Bears 24-27 Stirling County
Sunday 1 March 2020
Southern Knights 36-24 Boroughmuir Bears

Head Coach Graham Shiel will be looking for his Boroughmuir Bears to take forward their first half performance from last weekend if they are to lift themselves from the bottom of the table.

He said: “There was much to be proud of last week versus Southern Knights and whilst incredibly disappointing to come away from Melrose with nothing to show for our efforts, there is a belief in the squad that it was a step forward and for much of the game we were equal to Southern Knights.

“Credit to all of the players for the way they dealt with the challenges during the week to deliver a very competent performance and the way in which they continue to focus with preparation to improve individually and collectively.

“Stirling had a well-deserved win versus Ayrshire Bulls last week having been very close in all other games, so we will have to be accurate in all aspects of our game and be at our best as we search for success.

On this weeks’ team selection, he commented: “Ross Dunbar starts at loosehead prop this week in an otherwise settled pack. Finlay Scott will make his debut off the bench, Euan Ferrie starts from the bench after missing last week’s visit to Southern Knights and it’s great to have Rory Drummond back available to the squad after injury.

“In the backs, Ronan Kerr returns from injury this week to partner Duncan Munn in the centres and Tom Brown shifts across to the other wing in a reshuffle of the back three.”

Visiting Head Coach Ben Cairns will be looking to capitalise on last weekend’s last-minute win against Ayrshire Bulls.

He said: “Last weekends’ victory was a little closer than we would have liked, but somehow we found a way to come back from that intercept. Whilst the scoreboard could have been more comfortable the boys played some terrific rugby, the challenge now is can we back it up away from home.

“With Watsonians hosting the Knights on Friday evening we know we have a great opportunity to close the gap on the top two. However, I am sure, the Bears will see this as an opportunity to climb the table too. They were very unlucky versus the Knights last weekend. They played with real adventure and scored a couple of excellent tries in the first-half through a couple of their danger-men.

“The weather looks favourable and both sides like to chuck the ball about so we should be in for another exciting match live on Freesports.

“We have largely stayed with a winning squad. The backline sees one enforced change with Craig Robertson coming in for the unavailable Logan Trotter, Tom Roche moves to the wing.

“In the pack, there’s a reshuffle in the front row, JP Phelan moves across to loosehead, Reyner Kennedy rotates with Angus Fraser and Lewis Skinner starts at tighthead. Bradley Luney makes way to allow the returning George Arnott to start at blindside. Caleb Korteweg returns and will look to have an impact on proceedings from the bench.”

Boroughmuir Bears: 15. Martin Cimprich, 14. Tom Brown,13. Ronan Kerr, 12. Duncan Munn, 11. Jordan Edmunds, 10. Tom Pittman, 9. Kaleem Barreto; 1. Ross Dunbar, 2. Craig McKenzie, 3. Dan Winning CAPTAIN, 4. Jack Fisher, 5. Will Inglis, 6. Craig Keddie CAPTAIN, 7. Scott McGinley, 8. Trystan Andrews.
Replacements: 16. Finlay Scott, 17. George Cave, 18. Martin McGinley, 19. Euan Ferrie*, 20. Mzwandile Mncube, 21. Kyle McGhie, 22. Murray Johnstone, 23. Rory Drummond

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

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player

SATURDAY 28 AUGUST: Ayrshire Bulls v Heriot’s Rugby

This week’s second encounter sees Ayrshire Bulls host Heriot’s Rugby at Millbrae, the visitors registered their first win of the season in overcoming Watsonians 26-8 last Sunday.

Bulls, who have lost their previous two games each by as little as two points, will be aiming to get back on track in front of their own support.

Millbrae is open to spectators attending, and tickets can be bought HERE.

If you can’t make it to the game, highlights of this fixture will be available shortly after with commentary from Bruce Millar.

Match Officials:
Ref: Mike Adamson
AR1: Jonny Perriam
AR2: Samuel O‘Neil
No4: Digby Thomas
Time: Andy Summers

Previous encounters:
Sunday 10 November 2019
Ayrshire Bulls 13-25 Heriot’s Rugby
Sunday 1 March 2020
Heriot’s Rugby 26-15 Ayrshire Bulls

Despite a late intercept try by full-back Matt Davidson, Ayrshire Bulls lost last weekend fixture with Stirling in the last play of the game. Bulls will look to register their second win of the season this afternoon, in doing so they could leapfrog themselves from fifth to third.

Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach Pat MacArthur said: “We welcome Heriot’s to Millbrae this weekend, they are a team that are in good form, putting width on the ball but also have a pack that can keep it tight if needed.

“Certain parts of our game were not good enough last week against Stirling but credit to the players as they kept going to the end to just fall short of the win. We know we will have to be much better this week and the players are determined to put on a performance at home.

“There are a number of injuries which have forced changes to the team from the last game. Yaree Fantini, Bobbie Beattie and Jordan Lenac return from injury. Jamie Drummond and Gavin Wilson come in for Rhodri Tanner and Rory Jackson who are unavailable this week. While Michael Scott and Elias Caven swap places with Ruairidh Sayce and Matt Davidson in the starting line-up.”

Visiting Head Coach Andrew Kelly said: “The squad are looking to back up a good result from last week. It’s the last game before a weekend off so we want to put everything into this game. Ayr are a tough side and even tougher to play at their home ground. However, we are looking forward to the challenge.

“We have made a few changes to the squad due to injury and illness, but we have gone with the core group that performed well last week.”

Ayrshire Bulls: 15. Elias Caven, 14. Aaron Tait, 13. Robert Beattie, 12. Tom Williams, 11. Robbie Nairn, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Harry Warr; 1. Michael Scott, 2. Jamie Drummond*, 3. Calivin Henderson, 4. Edward Bloodworth, 5. Tom Everard, 6. Ryan Sweeney, 7. Yaree Fantini, 8. Blair MacPherson CAPTAIN.
Replacements: 16. Alex McGuire, 17. Craig Miller, 18. Ruairidh Sayce, 19. Ewan Bulger, 20. Gavin Wilson, 21. Jordan Lenac, 22. Matt Minogue, 23. Matt Davidson

Heriot’s Rugby: 15. Ross Jones CAPTAIN, 14. Robbie Chalmers, 13. Robert Kay, 12. Stuart Edwards, 11. James Couper, 10. Bruce Houston, 9. Lloyd Wheeldon; 1. Chris Keen, 2. Michael Liness, 3. Josh Scott, 4. Fraser Hastie, 5. Adam Sinclair, 6. Ruairidh Leishman, 7. Jack McClean, 8. Callum Marshall.
Replacements: 16. Cammy Fenton, 17. Andrew Nimmo, 18. Archie Bogle, 19. Lewis Govenlock, 20. Ronan Seydak, 21. Matt Russell*, 22. Jed Gelderbloom, 23. Callum Young.

*FOSROC Scottish Rugby Contracted Academy Player

FRIDAY 27 AUGUST: Watsonians v Southern Knights 

The home side will be looking to bounce back from defeat at Goldenacre last Sunday, which was their first of the campaign. In Watsonians’ way are table toppers Southern Knights, whose 22-13 success against Boroughmuir Bears last weekend saw them register a third win from four.

Crowds are welcome to attend Myreside for Friday’s evening game, with tickets available HERE

For those who can’t make it to Myreside tomorrow night then you can watch it live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport Scotland channel with commentary from Paul Mitchell and Jamie Hodgson.

Match officials:
Ref: David Sutherland
AR1: Ross Mabon
AR2: Ruairidh Campbell
No4: Brian McGuff
Time: Ben Evans

Previous encounters:
Saturday 9 November 2019
Southern Knights 13-14 Watsonians
Sunday 1 March 2020
Watsonians 28-26 Southern Knights

Ahead of tonight’s match at Myreside, Watsonians Head Coach Fergus Pringle explained how his side can bounce back from a disappointing result last weekend, saying: “We learnt some tough lessons last week against Heriot’s. Firstly, we have to treasure the ball and reduce those individual errors and cheap turnovers. Then it’s about getting our game management and discipline right. The Knights will come to Myreside full of confidence, as usual. They will want to get their maul going and get on the front foot with their pack. We know its going to be a big challenge. We’re really looking forward to it and are determined to put in a good performance at Myreside for our second home game of the season.”

Visiting Head Coach, Rob Chrystie, is keen that his side continue their recent form, but is very much aware of the challenge Southern Knights face, adding: “Friday night under the lights at Myreside is sure to be a cracker. Fergus will have his squad fired up and raring to go after a little setback last weekend. We have found a way so far in this year’s FOSROC Super6 and are aware that this is going to take a full squad effort against the competition favourites.”

Watsonians Rugby: 15. Jamie Forbes CAPTAIN 14. Harvey Elms 13. Scott King 12. Dominic Coetzer 11. Lomond MacPherson 10. Marc Morrison 9. Reiss Cullen; 1. Harrison Courtney, 2. Cal Davies CAPTAIN, 3. Steven Longwell, 4. Luis Ball 5. Michael Badenhorst 6. Karl Main 7. Harry Fisher 8. Sam Daly.
Replacements: 16. Ross Graham 17. Matias Sonzogni Argiro 18. Angus Williams 19. Kieran Watt 20. Campbell Wilson 21. Murray Scott 22. Joe Reynolds 23. Ru Smith

Southern Knights: 15. Joe Jenkins 14. Patrick Anderson 13. Nyle Godsmark 12. Cameron Scott 11. Iain Sim 10. Jason Baggott 9. Murdo McAndrew; 1. Grant Sheills CAPTAIN 2. Fraser Renwick 3. Euan McLaren 4. Angus Runciman 5. Daniel Suddon 6. Hary Borthwick 7. Allan Ferrie 8. Iain Moody.
Replacements: 16. Richard Ferguson 17. Shaun Gunn 18. Calum Crookshanks 19. James Head 20. Dalton Redpath 21. Cameron Jones 21. 22. Andrew Mitchell 23. Keiran Clark

Photo credit: Craig Murray