Arnold Clark Men's Premiership preview: Friday night lights at Millbrae and Myreside
Today at 08:11 PM
THE Friday night lights will be particularly bright at Millbrae this weekend when top of the Premiership Ayr host their nearest and fiercest rivals Marr, who are battling to escape the relegation zone, It will be the official switching on of the new floodlights at the ground, installed as part of the opening two stages of the major development programme at the iconic Alloway ground which has seen a new access road and state of the art 4G pitch constructed.
The official opening of this new facility took place yesterday, with a couple hundred club members, sponsors, local community stakeholders and interested members of the public in attendance to see former Scotland captain Rob Wainwright lead off the hardy cyclists of the 2025 Doddie's Grand Tour on the third leg of their epic 700-mile challenge, snaking through the central belt to set up camp in Glenalmond College in Perthshire on Thursday night, as part of the latest fund/awareness raising drive in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the battle against MND.
There was also exhibition rugby matches involving some of Ayr’s youth teams and some more senior members playing the walking version of the game on the new artificial pitch, while Alan Macdonald (who set up the £3 million Macdonald Legacy which made this development possible in memory of his son and former Ayr player, Barry, in January 2021) spoke about why the project is so important to him but also the wider club community.
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Ayr, are in bullish mood ahead of this match, having delivered what they believe is their most complete performance of the season to date when hammering Kelso 66-7 in their last league outing on 25th January. This game is being shown live on BBC ALBA.
Meanwhile, in the other Friday night match, Currie Chieftains head to Myreside looking to make it two from two against Watsonians this season (they won the first match 16-13 at Malleny Park in October), with former Scotland centre Matt Scott released by Edinburgh to play for his boyhood club at outside-centre.
This match sees third in the table host fourth. Chieftains have a game in hand but can’t overtake Watsonians as they are eight league points behind, however the bigger concern for the Balerno outfit at the moment will be picking up a win to keep their noses ahead of fellow-Borderers Selkirk (who are just a point behind and will fancy a home win over Hawick on Saturday) and Melrose (who have played a game more, are three points behind, and away to Kelso this weekend) in the race for the final play-off spot
How It Stands –
The Lowdown –
Ayr v Marr
Live on BBC ALBA
Venue: Millbrae @ 7.35pm (on Friday)
Teams –
Ayr: R Orr; T Lanni, J Shedden, B Beattie, L Bardelli; R Simpson, A McGowan; J Drummond, J Malcolm, C Henderson, E Bloodworth, O Baird, R Sweeney, L McNamara, B Macpherson ©. Subs: A McGuire, C Rae, R Tanner, R Jackson, T Brown, F Johnston, A Stirrat.
Marr: C Inglis; S Bickerstaff; S McDonald, L Jarvie, J Jacobson; C Sturgeon, G Baird ©; C Miller, B Sweet, A Apthorpe, C Young, D Andrew, A Orr, B Johnston, B Jardine. Subs: S Clelland, G Dick, A King, S McMichael, E McAra, J Scott, A Purewal.
Key clash: Richie Simpson versus Colin Sturgeon
Team news –
Ayr: Glasgow Warriors prospect Richie Simpson and live-wire winger Luca Bardelli add some spark to the starting backline, while former Scotland Under-20s and Glasgow Warriors academy centre Andy Stirrat has been named on the bench on his return from a long-term hamstring injury.
Marr: Brandon Sweet shifts from loose-head to hooker, Craig Miller from tight-head to loose-head and Alex Apthorpe comes in at tight-head in a re-jigged front-row, with Scott Clelland looking to make an impact off the bench and Ali Rogers faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a back injury.
What the coaches say –
"”The boys are charged! A game against our rivals; at home; on a dry Friday night; after our most complete performance of the season against Kelso … who wouldn't be excited? …"– Grant Anderson (Ayr)
"We are all really looking forward to going up against our neighbours. We under no illusions on how tough it's going to be and we have worked really hard the last couple weeks. Boys know Friday night lights does not come round often so we’re all excited …" – Kenny Diffenthal (Marr)
Verdict: A tough old mission for Marr on a big night at Millbrae for the hosts.
Comfortable home win.
Watsonians v Currie Chieftains
Venue: Myreside @ 7.30pm
Teams –
Watsonians: F Owsley; J Mitchell, L Berg, R Kerr, L Macpherson; J Baggott co-©, M Scott; C Davidson, M Pritchard, M McGinley, A McInnes, K Van Niekerk, S Cecil, J Minty, N Irvine-Hess ©. Subs: J Holligan, D Voas,, T Gracie, A Steven, C Bell, C McAlpine, S Leweni.
Currie Chieftains: C Brett ©; J McCaig; M Scott, S Robeson, R Daley; S Clark, C Lessels; C Anderson, R Stewart, G Scougall, A Bain, C West, R Davies, S Cardosi, E Hasdell. Subs: R Vucago, G Carson, K Borthwick, A Fletcher, H Chisholm, I Sim, F Sayers.
Key clash: Seb Cecil versus Rhys Davies
Team news –
Watsonians: Luis Ball, Cal Davies and Dom Coetzer are unavailable this week but, on the flip-side, we welcome Jason Baggott and Seb Cecil back into the starting line-up. Elsewhere, we have some personnel tweaks to the squad with Craig Davidson starting at loose-head, Josh Minty starting in the back-row and Murray Scott starting at scrum-half. Donald Voas, Conor McAlpine, and Chris Bell switch to the bench. We also welcome Edinburgh Academy player Sam Leweni into the fold having recovered from a lengthy injury.
Currie Chieftains: starts at tight-head in an otherwise unchanged pack following the team’s defeat to Heriot’s in their last match three weeks ago, while the availability of Matt Scott is a particular bonus given that both Ryan Southern of DJ Innes are unavailable. Cameron Lessels comes in at scrum-half for the unavailable Gregor Christie.
What the coaches say –
"Friday night's encounter at Myreside will be against a very different Currie outfit we faced earlier in the season. Third place plays fourth and they have proven, after an indifferent start to the season, that they are more than a match for any team in this league. We will need to be at our best individually and collectively to go toe to toe. After another fallow week we are excited about the challenge that awaits us. …" – Davie Wilson (Watsonians)
"With just one game since mid-December, building momentum has been a challenge, but the team has worked extremely hard in training. This is a crucial match for both sides, and we expect a physical contest with plenty of pressure throughout. We're ready for the challenge and know that to come away with the points at Myreside, we'll need to play with real quality and make the most of our opportunities …"– Mark Cairns (Currie Chieftains)
Verdict: It won’t be the faint-hearted at Myreside. If both teams play to the potential then rugby will be the winner … and Currie Chieftains, too! … even if a lack of recent game-time will be a big concern for the visitors.
Narrow away win.
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