Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round 19 preview: when Saturday comes: runners, riders and verdict
02/28/2025 11:04 AM
MATCH of the weekend could well be at Philiphaugh where fifth in the table Selkirk host fourth in the table Currie Chieftains. With two league points separating the two sides, and the fourth and final play-off spot up for grabs, it will be all to play for.
Meanwhile, Hawick are looking for an away win over Kelso which would keep alive their hopes of sneaking into the end of season knock-out phase, although their hosts will not be lacking in motivation either as they look to extricate themselves from the relegation battle.
Similarly, second-bottom of the table Marr need to pick up another win on the road at Melrose in their fight for Premiership survival, while a bonus-point for third-bottom Edinburgh Accies against Ayr at Millbrae would be regarded as an excellent and potentially invaluable achievement. Glasgow Hawks will also be keen to pick up whatever they can at home to Heriot’s as they are not quite clear of danger yet.
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How It Stands –
The Lowdown –
Ayr v Edinburgh Academicals
Venue: Millbrae @ 3pm
Teams –
Ayr: S Watson; T Lanni, A Stirrat, R Orr, L Bardelli; B Beattie ©, A McGowan; C Rae, A McGuire, R Tanner, E Bloodworth, R Jackson, L McNamara, T Brown, R Sweeney. Subs: J Malcolm, J Drummond, S Rae, O Baird, D McCartney, J Shedden, F Johnston.
Edinburgh Accies: M Wallace; R Walsh, R Kent, C Allan, F Lindsay; S Wells, B Brannan; R Dunbar, F McAslan, C Crookshanks, E McVie, S Whittaker ©, G David, A Wood, G Napier. Subs: GF Riddle, C Imrie, C Bain, T Drennan, C McDonald, J Townsend.
Key clash: Ed Bloodworth versus Euan McVie
Team news –
Ayr: With Blair Macpherson not involved following a concussion last week, Tim Brown starts at openside in a recast back-row in which features Ryan Sweeney at No 8 and Lewis McNamara at blindside. James Malcolm, Oscar Bairn and Jamie Shedden are among the big hitters ready to come off the bench.
Edinburgh Accies: Max Wallace moves to full-back, Reuben Walsh and Fraser Lindsay come onto the wings, Robbie Kent moves to outside-centre and Struan Wells and Ben Brannan start at stand-off and scrum half. Ross Dunbar starts at loosehead, Euan McVie is released by Edinburgh to come back into the second-row, and George Davis moves to blindside flanker alongside Alistair Wood and Guy Napier. Freddie Riddle comes onto the bench after impressing for the 2nd XV, alongside Cameron McDonald and Joe Townshend for the first time this season. Struan Whittaker takes over the captaincy from the injured Jamie Loomes and Neil Armstrong.
What the coaches say –
"We have had a great week of training this week, after a pleasing win away from home. The boys are keen to back that performance up, playing in front of our home support …" – Grant Anderson (Ayr)
" We head to Millbrae this weekend understanding the challenge that awaits, we must embrace this challenge …"– Iain Berthinussen (Edinburgh Accies)
Verdict: A tough mission for an Edinburgh Accies team low on confidence after a series of painful defeats in recent weeks and missing several key men, up against an Ayr side missing talismanic captain Blair Macpherson but on a high after last weekend’s top-of-the-table success against Heriot’s.
Home win.
Glasgow Hawks v Heriot’s
Venue: Balgray @ 3pm
Teams –
Glasgow Hawks: E Muirhead; J Couper, F Callaghan, C Elliot, H Provan; G Cruickshanks, S Steele; F Muir, P Cairncross ©, M Goodwin, T Sofidaya, M Crumlish, C Nolan, Y Shaheen, J Campbell. Subs: F Anderson, K Shanahan, B Hall, J Hastings, N Thompson, R Speers. M Godsman.
Heriot's: D King; Z Ross, T Glendinning, F Gibson, B Evans; R Jones, S Broad; C Keen, M Liness, E McLaren, P Spence, J Campbell, J Hill, S Wallace, R Leishman ©. Subs: D Neill, A Munro, S Cessford, R Kirkpatrick, C Anderson, S Smith, C Townsend.
Key clash: Paul Cairncross versus Michael Liness
Team news –
Glasgow Hawks: Fraser Muir comes in at loose-head for Kyle Shanahan who has been away all wee, while Marcus Goodwin replaces Isaiah Malaulau, who sustained a concussion against Watsonians. on the tight-head. Max Crumlish returns from injury while Tobi Sofidaya is available to form the boiler-house, with Craig Nolan shifting to the back-row and Ryan Howie dropping out of the squad with a concussion. In the backs, Finlay Callaghan and James Couper return from injury to replace the injured Ryan Flett and benched Nicky Thompson. The other change is at fly-half where Gavin Cruickshanks starts with Liam Brims dropping out after also sustaining a concussion.
Heriot’s: The same pack as started against Ayr last week. In the backs, Sinjin Broad is available again and returns at No 9, and Ross Jones is back at stand off. Ben Evans will start on the wing, as George Coull rests a knock picked up in training. On the bench Gus Munro returns to cover loosehead, and Callum Anderson is back after a break from rugby.
What the coaches say –
“While Watsonians were always a couple of scores ahead last weekend, we were competitive throughout the match even without a functioning line-out. We were unlucky to concede a score off a poor refereeing decision just before half time and then in the second half we just did not make the most of our entries into Watsonians 22. If we had done so we could have pushed for a losing bonus-point and applied pressure onto them in the closing stages. This week we welcome Heriot’s who will be disappointed at losing at home to Ayr last week. They are second top for a reason so we know we will have to be at our best to compete. We have made huge strides throughout the season in certain areas of our game and each week has been about rectifying just one or two areas to put together a complete performance. If we take the learnings from last week, I have no doubt we will be competitive …" – Andy Hill (Glasgow Hawks)
"Last week's game against Ayr was a great benchmarking exercise and the squad have worked hard this week on a couple of specific areas where we want to progress …"– Bob McKillop (Heriot’s)
Verdict: Two teams looking to bounce back after defeats last time out. Heriot’s have the more settled side and finished strongly against top of the table Ayr last week, so if they can carry that momentum into this clash then they should return to winning ways.
Away win.
Kelso v Hawick
Venue: Poynder Park @ 3pm
Teams –
Kelso: A Barbour; D Patterson co-©, A Hall, F Robson, H Tweedie; L Herdman, A Tait; G Shiells, J Utterson, D Gamble, C Thompson, K Melbourne co-©, L McConnell, M Woodcock, B McNeil. Subs: N Barnes, E Knox, A Asante, I Coates, W Tweedie, A Sweenie, R Tweedie.
Hawick: K Ford; M Reid, A Mitchell, L Armstrong, C Welsh; K Brunton, L Henry; S Muir ©, F Bell, N Little, S Frizzel, H Donaldson, F Renwick, M Brogan, C Sutherland. Subs: A Cannon, M Renwick, R Anderson, G Huggan, D Lightfoot, F Douglas, E Hamilton.
Key clash: Bruce McNeil versus Connor Sutherland
Team news –
Kelso: Jack Utterson moves to hooker and Liam McConnell comes in from Edinburgh Rugby to play in the back-row, Keith Melbourne returns to co-captain the side from the middle-row. Andrew Sweenie and Euan Knox are on the bench with Max Cranston dropping out the match-day squad.
Hawick: Charlie Welsh comes into the starting XV to replace Owain Gray who suffered an injury versus Melrose last weekend. Fergus Bell returns from injury to start at hooker, with Fraser Renwick reverting to the back-row. Russell Anderson and Deaglan Lightfoot join the replacements.
What the coaches say –
"We will need to match the physical strength of Hawick all over the park if we are to stay in the match. We need to be a lot more clinical than last week and take our chances when they come along. This is a vital match for league points that we need badly to avoid the the relegation zone. Hawick will be now chasing down that fourth place and have just had two big wins under their belt so we are expecting the usual very tough match against our Border rivals …"– Bruce McNeil (Kelso)
"Following a good win at home last weekend, we travel to arguably one of the toughest grounds in the Premiership for another Border derby. Kelso have been in good form of late and we know we will have to be at our best for the full 80 minutes to come away with anything. The boys have trained well again this week and are exited to get out on the pitch now. …"– Graham Hogg (Hawick)
Verdict: Two teams who have recovered from jittery start to the season to build up decent heads of steam in recent weeks. You can bet your last dollar that the home coaching team of Bruce McNeil and Nikki Walker will have their charges fired up to face the club where they both made their names. If it comes down to who needs it more, Kelso are still not clear of the relegation quagmire.
Narrow home win.
Melrose v Marr
Venue: The Greenyards @ 3pm
Teams –
Melrose: M Gabe; K Clark, C Goldsbrough, R Brett, D Mulcahy; L Townsend, B Colvine; W Ferrie, L Kirk, Z Swarzagak, A Ferrie, A Runciman ©, E Ruthven, F Sinclair, R Lindsay. Subs: B White, J Dobie, A Weir,, J Wilks, C Fairbairn, D Crawford, S Hutchinson.
Marr: C Inglis; L Jarvie, S Bickerstaff; A Bryden, J Jacobson; C Sturgeon, G Baird ©; B Sweet, B Jardine, C Miller, A Orr, C Young, J Braddock, C Steele, B Johnston. Subs: G Dick, R Sutterfield, A King, A Bowler, E McAra, J Scott, A Purewal.
Key clash: Corey Goldsbrough versus Scott Bickerstaff
Team news –
Melrose: Zen Swarzagak returns from international duty with Poland to start at tight-head, and Will Ferrie is promoted from the bench to start at loose-head. Angus Weir drops to the bench, replaced by the returning Finlay Sinclair. Ben White is on the bench after a long lay-off. The only change in the backline sees Luke Townsend start in front of Struan Hutchinson at stand-off.
Marr: A settled backline features Alex Bryden released again from the Glasgow Warriors academy, while Blair Jardine switched from No 8 to hooker in a pack which is missing the influential David Andrew in the second-row. Rhys Sutterfield is a new face on the bench.
What the coaches say –
"In what is a huge game for the club in the context of the season, it’s important we put in a performance and are consistent for large parts of the game unlike the last few weeks. Marr will be in desperate to back up their great result last week and we're well aware of that …" – Scott Wight (Melrose)
"After a tough win last week, we head to Melrose for another tough game. Boys have prepped well and I'm looking forward to seeing new faces have a run out. Boys are well motivated and excited for the challenge …"– Kenny Diffenthal (Marr)
Verdict: Melrose’s play-off ambitions have been critically damaged by a home draw against Glasgow Hawks then three defeats on the bounce, while Marr’s fight for survival received a big shot in the arm after last weekend’s win over fellow-strugglers Edinburgh Accies at Raeburn Place. The Greenyards factor and another long road trip could count against the Troon men, but if they have the bit between their teeth then they’ve got the ability to take another important step towards Premiership survival.
Narrow away win.
Selkirk v Currie Chieftains
Venue: Philiphaugh @ 3pm
Teams –
Selkirk: C Anderson; J Welsh, A Grant-Suttie, R Nixon, B Pickles; Aaron McColm ©, H Alderson; L Pettie, J Bett, B Riddell, K Westlake, J Fisher, D Bronlund, T Wilson, C Tait. Subs: C Cochrane, B Malcolm, C Smythe, R Murray, B Allan, O McClymont, B Cullen.
Currie Chieftains: C Brett ©; J McCaig, R Southern S Robeson, R Daley; A Harley, G Christie; G Carson, R Stewart, G Scougall, C West, R Davies, A Fletcher, S Cardosi, E Hasdell. Subs: R Vucago, J Ramsay, A Bain, W Nelson, C Lessels, D Innes, I Sim.
Key clash: Corey Tait versus Ed Hasdell
Team news –
Selkirk: Ross Nixon comes in at inside-centre for the bench Brodie Allan in the only backline change. Dylan Bronlund returns from injury to join the back-row at blindside flanker, with Corey Tait at No 8 and Kieran Westlake shifting forward into the second-row,
Currie Chieftains: Chris Anderson is unavailable due to injury, so Graeme Carson comes in at loose-head, while Gregor Scougall returns at tight-head. Rhys Davies also returns to start in the second row, with Ali Bain moving to the bench. In the backs, captain Charlie Brett returns at full-back, so James McCaig shifts to the wing, while Ryan Southern comes in at 13.
What the coaches say –
"Currie are a well coached side who have been playing good rugby over the last few weeks. They have strong ball carriers that can give them a solid platform to hurt a defensive line. We know how important this game is for Selkirk and to get the points we want we need to be accurate and apply pressure to create opportunities against a tean that's tough to breakdown. …" – Gordon Henderson (Selkirk)
"Selkirk are one of the in-form teams in the league and have been playing some great rugby. Like us, they'll have their sights set on a top four finish and will be looking to make home advantage count this weekend. It's going to be a tough encounter, but we've trained well, we have some key players back and I've been really pleased with our performances over the last two games …"– Mark Cairns (Currie Chieftains)
Verdict: This has the makings of a cracker between two teams shooting for the fourth play-off spot. Home advantage is not to be sniffed at but the visitors are boosted by the return of some key men, particularly skipper Charlie Brett and Rhys Davies, and they have real firepower to come off the bench.
Narrow away win.
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