Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round 21 preview: runners, riders and verdict
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THE two matches which catch the eye in the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership this weekend are both being played in Ayrshire, with table-toppers Ayr hosting second in the league Heriot's at Millbrae, while Marr and Edinburgh Accies know that their top flight survival prospects are on the line at Fullarton.
This is one of four games Marr have left to claw themselves to safety, but with just two games left, Accies must win here and even then it might not be enough to save them.
Elsewhere, Currie Chieftains will continue their bid to seal the fourth and final play-off spot at Kelso, play-off secure side Watsonians are at Glasgow Hawks, Selkirk host already relegated Musselburgh and Melrose and Hawick meet in a Border derby live on BBC ALBA.
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How It Stands –
The Lowdown –
Ayr v Heriot's
Venue: Millbrae @ 3pm
Teams –
Ayr: R Orr; T Lanni, J Shedden, A Stirrat, A McGowan, B Beattie ©, F Johnston; J Drummond, J Malcolm, C Henderson, E Bloodworth, R Jackson, R Sweeney, T Brown, B Mcpherson ©. Subs: J McAughtrie, C Rae, R Tanner, O Baird, L McNamara, C Hyde, L Bardelli.
Heriot's: D King; Z Ross, K Kutsuna, F Gibson, T Glendinning; R Jones, S Broad; C Keen, M Liness, S Cessford, J Hill, J Campbell, R Kirkpatrick, S Wallace, R Leishman ©. Subs: A Johnston, A Munro, A Bogle, P Spence, M Keough, C Anderson, A Reid.
Key clash: Tim Brown versus Sam Wallace
Team news –
Ayr: Tight-head Calvin Henderson and full-back Robbie Orr come in to start, with Oscar Baird, Lewis McNamara and Chris Hyde added to the bench.
Heriot's: Struan Cessford starts at tight-head after Euan McLaren picked up a calf niggle last week and Jason Hill shifts from six to second-row to give Rory Kirkpatrick a well-deserved start. In the backs, the injury list continues to grow. Dan King comes back in at 15 for the injured George Coull, and Zac Ross replaces Noah Sakapaji who is at a family funeral. On the bench, Archie Bogle will make his debut for the season if he comes on and Angus Reid retains his place after a good showing in the game against Kelso last week.
What the coaches say –
"Our game against Heriot's earlier in the season was the most enjoyable so far and we are hoping for much the same this weekend. We are delighted to be back at home in front of our fans and will relish the challenge that Heriot's will pose. Edo [Heriot's assistant coach Stuart Edwards] has egg for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will have done his homework so we want to be at our best …"– Grant Anderson (Ayr)
"This is the first of an Ayrshire double header for us with Marr away next week. Millbrae is always a tough place to go, but on the other hand it's always busy with a lively atmosphere and we are really looking forward to the occasion. The next two weeks are a great opportunity for us to fine tune ahead of the play-off semi-finals …"– Bob McKillop (Heriot's)
Verdict: These two sides have set the standards over recent months and this will be a ding-dong battle. The loss of tight-head Euan McLaren is a blow for Heriot's. A slightly more settled 22 and home advantage may get Ayr over the line here.
Home win.
Glasgow Hawks v Watsonians
Venue: Balgray @ 3pm
Teams –
Glasgow Hawks: E Muirhead; J Couper, F Callaghan, C Elliot, R Flett; A McLean, B Jackson; F Muir, P Cairncross co-©, I Malaulau, A Syme, R Burke, L Stewart, S Hastings, J Morris. Subs: R Howie, M Goodwin, M Crumlish, Y Shaheen, S Steele, L Brims co-©, N Thompson.
Watsonians: F Owsley; L Macpherson, R Kerr, D Coetzer, Z Walls; J Baggott co-©, M Scott; C Davidson, M Pritchard, T Gracie, A McInnes, K van Niekerk, J Minty, S Allison, N Irvine-Hess co-©. Subs: C Davies, D Voas, K Watt, S Cecil, C Wilson, C Bell, J Mitchell.
Key clash: Euan Muirhead versus Freddie Owsley
Team news –
Glasgow Hawks: In the pack, Andrew Syme comes in for Craig Nolan, while Jonny Morris and Yousuf Shaheen swap roles with the former starting and the latter among the replacements. In the backs, Andrew McLean starts at 10 with Liam Brims moving to the bench, which sees Euan Muirhead start at 15. On the bench, Marcus Goodwin comes in for James Campbell as he is playing for Scotland under-19s in a training match against Scotland Under-18 on Sunday. Scott Steele and Nicky Thompson come in for Jonah Hastings and Gavin Cruickshanks who are with the 2nd XV.
Watsonians: Craig Davidson comes in at loose-head for the injured Cole Lamberton, and Seb Cecil is available to join the squad as a replacement.
What the coaches say –
"We were pleased with the performance against Currie, but bitterly disappointed with how the game finished. I couldn't have asked any more of the boys and felt we had done enough – and deserved – to win with how we played. We now face another quality outfit in Watsonians and they will be looking to secure third place with a victory this weekend. It will take another mammoth effort, but last Saturday showed our potential and what we are capable of …"– Andy Hill (Glasgow Hawks)
"A journey along the M8 to play Glasgow Hawks who pushed Currie all the way last weekend awaits us. They have a much stronger squad this weekend from the side that played at Myreside a month ago and they will be confident about their chances at Balgray. We have spoken about our approach to this fixture ensuring that our mentality and physicality is spot on to match an abrasive pack and a back division willing to move the ball …"– Davey Wilson (Watsonians)
Verdict: Hawks nearly beat Currie last week so will have taken a lot from that, and they still need points to make sure of safety. Watsonians were good in the first half versus Selkirk last time out before dropping off. If their bench make more of an impact this time they may just travel back east with the points after a tough tussle.
Away win.
Kelso v Currie Chieftains
Venue: Poynder Park @ 3pm
Teams –
Kelso: A Barbour; D Patterson ©, H Tweedie, F Robson, R Tweedie; L Herdman, A Tait; G Shiells, E Knox, D Gamble, C Thompson, M Shaw, S Wood, M Woodcock, B McNeil. Subs: N Barnes, A McGregor, M Cranston, I Coates, W Tweedie, A Sweenie, A Hall.
Currie Chieftains: C Brett ©; I Sim, R Southern S Robeson, R Daley; A Harley, G Christie; C Anderson, R Stewart, C Ramsay, C West, A Bain, R Davies, S Cardosi, E Hasdell. Subs: R Vucago, G Carson, G Scougall, W Nelson, A Fletcher, K Johnston, F Sayers.
Key clash: Bruce McNeil versus Ed Hasdell
Team news –
Kelso: Co-captain Keith Melbourne misses out through injury, Ashton Asante is unavailable and Jack Utterson is away with the Scotland under-18s. This gives starts to Sam Wood and Mackenzie Shaw who are homegrown talent coming through the ranks at Kelso. Adam Hall and Euan Knox make timing returns from holidays. Issac Coates makes the bench after being released by Edinburgh Rugby.
Currie Chieftains: A few changes in the pack with Chris Anderson, Cairn Ramsay, Rhys Davies and Ed Hasdell all back in the starting team. In the backs, Alex Harley is back at 10 and Iain Sim starts on the wing. Glasgow Warriors Kerr Johnston is on the bench.
What the coaches say –
"Back at home against an in-form Currie side who play a good brand of rugby. We must be focused this week on getting the win that would see us nearly there to avoiding the drop as at the moment it's a case of so near but yet so far …"– Bruce McNeil (Kelso)
"We managed to come away with the win last week thanks to a final-play line-out that finished with a score in the opposite corner. While credit has to go to Hawks, we know the performance levels weren't where we want them to be. Having played Kelso recently, both teams will have a good understanding of each other and we know from last season just how tough a challenge they are on their home patch. We'll need a strong start and will have to execute our game well to limit their opportunities and give ourselves the best chance of coming away with the points …"– Mark Cairns (Currie Chieftains)
Verdict: Kelso have won their last four home league games and need points to assure safety. Currie know it will be a very tough trip to the Borders, but the four additions to their pack are all key men and that could just sway things their way as they look to get closer to confirming a spot in the play-offs.
Tight away win.
Marr v Edinburgh Accies
Venue: Fullarton Park @ 3pm
Teams –
Marr: C Inglis; J Scott, S Bickerstaff; L Jarvie, J Jacobson; C Sturgeon, G Baird ©; S Khan, B Jardine, C Miller, C Young, D Andrew, M Kirk, B Johnston, M Duncan. Subs: B Sweet, C Steel, A King, A Orr, E McAra, G Beckwith, J Broadfoot.
Edinburgh Accies: V Hart; J Townshend, M Wallace, N Armstrong ©, F Lindsay; S Wells, C MacDonald; C Imrie, F McAslan, C Crookshanks, R Thompson, S Whittaker, G Davis, J Binstead, T Drennan. Subs: G Shannon, G Ratcliff, C Bain, A Wood, P Ritchie, C Allan.
Key clash: Scott Bickerstaff versus Max Wallace
Team news –
Marr: Jack Scott comes in to start on the wing with Logan Jarvie shifting to 12. Up front, Glasgow Warriors Macenzzie Duncan is at No 8.
Edinburgh Accies: Joe Townshend replaces the unavailable Robbie Kent on the wing, Calum Crookshanks returns at tight-head, Jarrod Binstead replaces the injured Guy Napier in the back-row with Tom Drennan moving to No. 8 and George Davis to blind-side to accommodate him. Patrick Ritchie returns on the bench.
What the coaches say –
"Everyone at the club is looking forward to this run of home games coming up. Edinburgh Accies will be desperate for a win and so are we so it should be a good battle. We need to control what we can control and be structured and disciplined…" – Kenny Diffenthal (Marr)
"The penultimate game of the season, one where we have let to many games, like last week, slip away from us. We must turn this around versus Marr at Fullarton this weekend …"– Iain Berthinussen (Edinburgh Accies)
Verdict: Accies will still be hurting from seeing a large lead overturned last week versus Melrose. They are into 'last chance saloon territory' and, while that will make them scrap for everything, Marr's home advantage plus their own hunger for survival should see them right.
Home win.
Selkirk v Musselburgh
Venue: Philiphaugh @ 3pm
Teams –
Selkirk: C Anderson; J Welsh, A Grant-Suttie, R Nixon, B Pickles; A McColm ©, H Alderson; L Pettie, C Cochrane, B Riddell, K Westlake, J Fisher, D Bronlund, T Wilson, C Tait. Subs: F Easson, B Malcolm, R Joyce, F Smith, O McClymont, B Allan, B Cullen.
Musselburgh: T Foley, M McCowan, B Weatherhead, R Watt ©, S Watt; D Owenson, J Rule; R Brown, B Stott, E Bonthron, A Mataitini, J Haynes, J Lister, J Talac, J Longwell. Subs: Z Griffith, M Thomas, J Arnold, P Burns, O Craig.
Key clash: Luke Pettie versus Euan Bonthron
Team news –
Selkirk: Ross Nixon at 12 is the only change in the backline for this week. In the forwards, Craig Cochrane gets a start at hooker with Corey Tait moving to No 8 and Kieran Westlake moving to second-row. On the bench, Fraser Easson comes in along with Finlay Smith who moves up from the under-18s.
Musselburgh: A squad of 20 players for this match to ensure the 2nd XV can remain competitive in their fixture. James Longwell starts at No 8 meaning Jordan Lister moves to blindside. Jason Talac starts at seven in place of Matthew Crawford who picked up a knock last week. Skipper Rory Watt returns at 12 and the ever-elusive youngster Bruce Weatherhead moves back to 13 from 10.
What the coaches say –
"Another crucial game for us this week against a Musselburgh team who are playing good rugby, will stress you in defence with strong carries and have threats in the backs. We were gutted at our first half play against Watsonians last week which was not a true reflection on how we’ve been performing for most of the season. We have regrouped and had two positive training sessions to make the improvements that need to be made. We are desperate, in our last home league game, to take our game to another level and put in an 80-minute shift to get a positive outcome …"– Gordon Henderson (Selkirk)
"We were in the game for 70 minutes with Selkirk four weeks ago and let it slip away through inaccuracy and indiscipline at the end. We showed in large part how competitive we can be against Marr last week, but, again, let the game slip away. The potential to have a say in the outcome of a game is definitely there but we need to be willing to stay in the fight and dialled in across 80 minutes of rugby …" – Derek O'Riordan (Musselburgh)
Verdict: Selkirk still have slim hopes of the play-offs and were very frustrated with their passive first half showing versus Watsonians last week. Musselburgh are keeping going despite already being down and that freedom can make teams dangerous.
Home win.
Melrose v Hawick
Venue: The Greenyards @ 3.05pm (live on BBC ALBA)
Teams –
Melrose: M Gabe; C Spence, C Goldsbrough, D Mulcahy, K Clark; R Brett, Doug Crawford; J Dobie, L Kirk, Z Swarzagak, A Weir, A Runciman ©, B Colvine, David Crawford, W Ferrie. Subs: A Ceballos, B White, R Robinson, S van der Sluis, L Townsend, E Davies, Donald Crawford.
Hawick: K Ford; M Reid, A Mitchell, L Armstrong, C Welsh; K Brunton, G Welsh; S Muir ©, F Renwick, N Little, S Frizzel, H Donaldson, R Anderson, M Brogan, C Sutherland. Subs: F Bell, A Cannon, M Atkinson, W Donaldson, G Huggan, C Riddell, F Douglas.
Key clash: Logan Kirk versus Fraser Renwick
Team news –
Melrose: There has been some juggling the back-row where Bruce Colvine starts at six and David Crawford starts at seven in his first appearance for the 1st XV in a number of years. Donald Crawford returns from a horrible injury picked up in pre-season and is on the bench.
Hawick: Vice-captain Fraser Renwick returns at hooker while Lee Armstrong is back at 12 after pulling out late last week. The experienced Matt Atkinson, teenager Will Donaldson and Grant Huggan join the bench.
What the coaches say –
"There was some great character shown last week after an unacceptable first half, being 35-12 down to winning 35-38. We've got to make sure we turn up with that second half performance from the start this time especially given Hawick's result last week as we're expecting a backlash from the start …"– Scott Wight (Melrose)
“The beauty of rugby is that you usually get the opportunity to rectify things pretty quickly and what better way to do so after Ayr than in a local derby away against Melrose. As a squad and as a coaching team we have looked at ourselves honestly this week and have been demanding more of one another at training. The reality is we have to park the Ayr result very quickly, dust ourselves down and go again. We had a great performance against Melrose a few weeks ago at home which will give the boys confidence and we will look to emulate that again when we go to The Greenyards …"– Scott Macleod (Hawick, assistant coach)
Verdict: With the under-16 teams from the two towns meeting in an East Plate Final first at 12.30pm, there should be a good atmosphere for this one between old rivals. Hawick had a day to forget last Saturday when they were thumped 93-0 at home by Ayr and there will definitely be a reaction from a hurt set of players, while Melrose will be buoyed by their fight backl at Raeburn Place and should get revenge for the defeat they suffered at Mansfield a month ago.
Home win.
MEANWHILE …
A watered down version of the Men’sScottish Cup kicks off this weekend with two quarter-finals going ahead, which will see National One side Dundee Rugby host and Ayr Under-23s team and Glasgow Accies host Highland.
Heriot’s have been given a walkover through to the semi-final due to Gala failing to raise a team, while GHA had a bye with only seven teams from the top two domestic leagues on Scotland having entered the competition this season.
“The Scottish Cup remains a key part of Silver Saturday for the 2024-25 season,” said a Scottish Rugby spokesperson. “Unfortunately, for reasons specific to each club, a number of teams have elected not to participate in the Scottish Cup this season but there still remain a number of teams eager to participate in the top Men's Cup competition with the opportunity to play in on the main pitch at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.”
A big factor in Ayr and Heriot’s being the only Premiership teams to enter this season is that the extended 12 team league to accommodate the fall-out from the disbandment of SuperSeries meant the fixture schedule was too congested. However, concerns about the future of the Cup precede that with all the Border clubs apart from Hawick having opted out the season before.
The post Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round 21 preview: runners, riders and verdict appeared first on Scottish Rugby News from The Offside Line.
