The first match of the weekend saw the Southern Knights host Heriot’s Rugby under Friday night lights at The Greenyards.

On Saturday Boroughmuir Bears host Ayrshire Bulls in an early kick-off before the weekend’s action concludes on Sunday at Bridgehaugh as Stirling County host Watsonians Rugby – live on FreeSports.

Sunday 26 September: Stirling County v Watsonians Rugby 

Watsonians make the trip to Bridgehaugh this afternoon in a third versus fourth battle against Stirling County.

Spectators are welcomed to Bridgehaugh, but if you can’t be there you can watch all the action live on FreeSports with commentary from Jamie Lyall and John Dalziel.

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

Stirling County Head Coach Ben Cairns said: “Another nail biter last weekend. We scored a couple of fantastic tries from open play and two from maul, with the one in the final play getting us out of jail. We continue to work on our ability to keep momentum and build pressure for larger parts of the game and this will be crucial against a Watsonians side who will be looking to get back on track after a disappointing run.

“They are a team who play with a lot of consistency, they are strong across the board and we know we will have to be patient and stay in the fight if we are to get the win which will allow us to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

The match is live on Freesports which always adds to the occasion. Its also our last home match of the regular season so we will be looking to put in a performance that leaves a positive lasting impression on the Bridgehaugh faithful.

“Euan Cunningham comes in at 10 for his 1st start in the FOSROC Super6, he’s been knocking on the door for a few weeks now and we are really looking forward to him grasping this opportunity. There is only one change to the starting pack also with Adam Wood coming in to start at loosehead having returned from injury. The bench sees a 4/4 split and the return of Craig Jardine who missed last week’s win with a wrist injury.”

Watsonians Rugby Head Coach Fergus Pringle said: “We had a tough, close game against Stirling in the first round, and they have had very strong home form throughout the competition, so we are under no illusions about the challenge we face up at Bridgehaugh on Sunday. While there were definitely positives to take from our disappointing loss to the Knights last week, we know an improved performance across the board will be required to get the result we want.

“Sam Grahamslaw, Ross Graham and Sam Daly return to the starting pack, with Harrison Courtney, Cal Davies and Harry Fisher dropping to the bench.The same starting backline as last game with Joe Reynolds returning to the bench along with Murray Scott.”

Stirling County: 15. Craig Robertson, 14. Steven Hamilton, 13. Archie Russell, 12. Grant Hughes, 11. Tom Roche, 10. Euan Cunningham, 9. Caleb Korteweg; 1. Adam Wood, 2. Reyner Kennedy CAPTAIN, 3. Lewis Skinner, 4. James Pow, 5. Josh King, 6. George Arnott, 7. Connor Gordon, 8. Dean Taylor-Menzies

Replacements: 16. Angus Fraser, 17. Billy Dineen, 18. George Breese, 19. Max Williamson*, 20. Callum Cruickshank, 21. Andrew Goudie, 22. Landon Hayes, 23. Ross McKnight*

Watsonians Rugby: 15. Jamie Forbes CAPTAIN, 14. Harvey Elmsm, 13. Lewis Berg, 12. Scott King, 11. Lomond Macpherson, 10. Marc Morrison, 9. Roan Frostwick*; 1. Sam Grahamslaw, 2. Ross Graham, 3. Angus Williams, 4. Luis Ball, 5. Michael Badenhorst, 6. Kwagga Van Niekerk, 7. Karl Main, 8. Sam Daly
Replacements: 16. Cal Davies, 17. Harrison Courtney, 18. Nathan Borel, 19. Kieran Watt, 20. Harry Fisher, 21. Murray Scott, 22. Dom Coetzer, 23. Joe Reynolds

Saturday 25 September: Boroughmuir Bears v Ayrshire Bulls 

In-form Ayrshire Bulls make the trip to Edinburgh this afternoon to face Boroughmuir Bears who sit bottom of the table.

Boroughmuir Bears are welcoming spectators to Meggetland, tickets can be bought HERE.

For those who can’t make it highlights of the game will be available tomorrow morning with commentary from Stuart McFarlane.

Match Officials
Ref: David Sutherland
AR1: David Changleng
AR2: Bob Nevins
NO4: Walter Gaffney
Time: Ben Evans

Previous Encounters
Saturday 16 November 2019
Ayrshire Bulls 32-27 Boroughmuir Bears
Saturday 15 February 2020
Boroughmuir Bears 17-40 Ayrshire Bulls
Saturday 7 August 2021
Ayrshire Bulls 24-10 Boroughmuir Bears

Boroughmuir Bears Head Coach Graham Shiel said: “Each week the challenges just get bigger and bigger for the Bears and this week is no exception. Ayrshire Bulls are a very strong squad and bring some very good form into this game. We know that only our very best will get close to Ayrshire, so we need to be focused and accurate in all we do this weekend to compete.

“We must keep striving for improvement in all areas collectively and individually and this weekend provides the sternest of tests to measure ourselves.

“Martin McGinley comes into the starting XV to earn his first start for the season alongside Finlay Scott and Ross Dunbar. Euan Ferrie moves back to blindside flanker with Jack Fisher joining Will Inglis in the second row.

“Craig Keddie will lead the side from No8 wth Rhys Tait at blindside flanker. Kaleem Barreto will assist Craig Keddie with leadership duties from scrum-half combining with Tom Pittman to form the half backs.

“With Ronan Kerr unavailable this week, Duncan Munn joins Robbie McCallum in the centres and Tom Brown returns to bring his experience to the back three alongside Jordan Edmunds and Glen Faulds.

“Craig McKenzie starts from the bench this week and we are delighted to welcome Michael Jones back to Meggetland and we are very grateful to Heriots Rugby for allowing Michael to be available on a ‘permit’ loan this week.

“We also have Scott Habib joining the match day squad from our club 1st XV and we thank Richard Sievwright and his coaching team for allowing Scott to cover as an ‘emergency cover’.

“Trystan Andrews gets a well-earned rest this week having impressed throughout the season and will enter the game from the bench. Mzwindile Mncube and Scott McGinley complete the forward contingent on the bench.

“Murray Johnstone earns a place in the squad this week alongside Martin Cimprich.”

Ayrshire Bulls Head Coach Pat MacArthur said: “Travelling to play Boroughmuir away is always a real challenge. They will be disappointed with their last result, and we will need to be at our best. At the business end of the season, Saturday’s game is critical for our bid to finish in the top two.

“The players know Boroughmuir have the firepower to pounce on any form of complacency.

“Familiar look to the squad this week with only three changes to the starting line-up. George Thornton swap places with Calvin Henderson on the bench.

“Aaron Tait starts for injured Robbie Nairn and Rhodri Tanner return form injury with Alex McGuire moving to the bench. Academy players Rory Jackson and Finn Callaghan joins the squad on the bench.”

Boroughmuir Bears: 15. Glen Faulds, 14. Tom Brown, 13. Duncan Munn, 12. Robbie McCallum*, 11. Jordan Edmunds, 10. Tom Pittman, 9. Kaleem Barreto; 1. Ross Dunbar, 2. Finlay Scott, 3. Martin McGinley, 4. Will Inglis, 5. Jack Fisher, 6. Euan Ferrie*, 7. Rhys Tait*, 8. Craig Keddie CAPTAIN.
Replacements: 16. Craig McKenzie, 17. Michael Jones*, 18. Scott Habib, 19. Trystan Andrews*, 20. Scott McGinley, 21. Murray Johnstone, 22. Martin Cimprich , 23. Mzwandile Mncube

Ayrshire Bulls: 15. Matt Davidson, 14. Elias Caven, 13, Robert Beattie, 12. Tom Williams, 11. Aaron Tait, 10. Tom Jordan, 9. Harry Warr; 1. Michael Scott, 2. Rhodi Tanner, 3. Calvin Henderson, 4. Edward Bloodworth, 5. Tom Everard, 6. Ryan Sweeney, 7. Yaree Fantini, 8. Blair MacPherson CAPTAIN
Replacements: 16. Alex McGuire, 17. Ruairidh Sayce, 18. George Thornton, 19. Rory Jackson*, 20. Gavin Wilson, 21. Finn Callaghan*, 22. Matt Minogue, 23. Jordan Lenac

Friday 24 September: Southern Knights v Heriot’s Rugby 

In-form Southern Knights host Heriot’s Rugby who have dipped to fifth place after a tough game against Ayrshire Bulls last weekend.

Crowds are welcome to attend The Greenyards for tonight’s game, with tickets available HERE

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

Match officials:
Ref: Ben Blain
AR1: Ross Mabon
AR2: Sam O’Neil
NO4: David Changleng
Time: Alan Forrest

Previous encounters:
Saturday 7 December 2019
Southern Knights 12-19 Heriot’s Rugby
Saturday 14 December 2019
Heriot’s Rugby 22-16 Southern Knights
Sunday 8 August 2021
Heriot’s Rugby 15-36 Southern Knights

Southern Knights Head Coach Rob Chrystie said: “This weekend under the lights at the Greenyards we host Heriot’s who have shown throughout the FOSROC Super 6 tournament they have the capabilities to cause any team problems with their attack and varied kicking game. They will travel with a point to prove and it is important we are focused and accurate from the start.

“Edinburgh Rugby’s Freddy Owsley starts on the left wing to make his Knights Debut and Cameron Jones gets a start at 9. In the pack Russell Anderson starts at Hooker and Ruaridh Knott at blindside.”

Heriot’s Rugby Head Coach Andrew Kelly said: “The squad is very disappointed about our result last week and are looking to in a performance they are capable of. The Knights are playing well and will be on a high from their last match, so it’ll be a tough game.

“Because of the short turn around for this week, we have made as many changes as we can to the starting team.”

Southern Knights: 15. Joe Jenkins, 14. Sam Pecqueur, 13. Nyle Godsmark CAPTAIN, 12. Cameron Scott*, 11. Freddie Owsley, 10. Jason Baggott, 9. Cameron Jones; 1. Shaun Gunn, 2. Russell Anderson, 3. Euan McLaren, 4. James Head, 5. Angus Runciman, 6. Ruaridh Knott, 7. Alan Ferrie, 8. Iain Moody.
Replacements: 16. Fraser Renwick, 17. Grant Shiells, 18. Calum Crookshanks, 19. Dalton Redpath, 20. Iain Sim, 21. Murdo Mcandrew, 22. Andrew Mitchell, 23. Patrick Anderson.

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