Arnold Clark Men's Premiership round 22: runners, riders and verdict
03/28/2025 11:59 AM
ANOTHER week and another crunch clash for Marr, who got an important bonus point win which condemned their opponents Edinburgh Accies to relegation last week, but the Troon men know they will have to produce their performance of the season and then some if they are to get what they need against second in the table Heriot's at Fullarton on Saturday.
With three games to go, Marr are six points behind Glasgow Hawks and eight behind Kelso who have two and one match left apiece. Those two sides meet each other at Poynder Park this weekend, with the winner of that match knowing that they will have guaranteed their own top-flight status for next year. Hawks will have some professional grunt up front with injury-plagued Scotland cap Murphy Walker released by Glasgow Warriors to take his first step back into competitive rugby since the summer of 2024, starting at tight-head prop.
Meanwhile, Ayr take on Selkirk at Millbrae, already relegated Edinburgh Accies host play-off bound Watsonians at Raeburn Place, and Melrose welcome also relegated Musselburgh to The Greenyards in what will be Derek O'Riordan's last match in charge of the East Lothian side.
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Arnold Clark Men's Premiership: Friday night lights at Mansfield Park
How It Stands –
- Prior to Friday night’s clash between Hawick and Currie Chieftains at Mansfield Park
The Lowdown –
Ayr v Selkirk
Venue: Millbrae @ 3pm
Teams –
Ayr: R Orr; C Van Wyk, J Shedden, A Stirrat, A Caqusau, D McCartney, B Frame; C Rae, J McAughtrie, R Tanner, O Baird, R Jackson, R Sweeney, L McNamara, B Mcpherson ©. Subs: T Martin, T Brown, R Sayce, S Rae, R Pottie, B Beattie, F Johnston.
Selkirk: C Anderson; A Rutter, A Grant-Suttie, B Allan, B Cullen; A McColm ©, O McClymont; L Pettie, B Riddell, C Smyth, K Westlake, J Fisher, D Bronlund, T Wilson, C Tait. Subs: C Cochrane, B Malcolm, R Joyce, L Cassidy, F Malin, E Wilson, C Easson.
Key clash: Jamie McAughtrie versus Bruce Riddell
Team news –
Ayr: A new-look front-row of Caleb Rae, Jamie McAughtrie and Rhod Tanner starts, while Oscar Baird comes into the second-row and Lewis McNamara into the back-row. Ben Frame and David McCartney line up at nine and 10 with Scotland under-20 cap Cameron Van Wyk on one wing and Northampton Saints-bound Amena Caqusau on the other. Tom Martin is among those coming onto the bench.
Selkirk: In the backline, Josh Welsh, Ben Pickles, Ross Nixon and Hugo Alderson are all unavailable this week so Alan Rutter gets a start in the back-three along with Blake Cullen, while Oliver McClymont is at scrum-half. Glasgow academy man Callum Smyth starts at tight-head with Bruce Riddell moving to hooker. On the bench, Liam Cassidy returns from injury while Finn Malin, Ethan Wilson and Cameron Easson are the backline replacements.
What the coaches say –
"We are looking forward to ending the regular season in the most positive way possible – winning at home in front of our supporters. The boys have trained well this week and are fired up for the game …"– Grant Anderson (Ayr)
"It's a great challenge for our players to go through and play an Ayr side who are on another level from any other team right now with the way they have been performing each week. The squad are excited to go and our mindset has been to keep improving and we fully understand how tough this game will be…"– Gordon Henderson (Selkirk)
Verdict: If Currie lose at Hawick on Friday evening then Selkirk's play-off hopes may still be alive come kick-off here, but winning at Millbrae is a huge ask with the Ayr players coming i desperate to give Grant Anderson positive selection headaches ahead of their post-season matches.
Home win.
Edinburgh Accies v Watsonians
Venue: Raeburn Place @ 3pm
Teams –
Edinburgh Accies: S Wells; J Townshend, M Wallace, N Armstrong ©, R Chalmers; V Hart, P Ritchie; C Imrie, F McAslan, C Crookshanks, R Thompson, S Whittaker, E McVie, G Davis, T Drennan. Subs: G Shannon, P Hayes, A Wood, R Walsh, K Gossman.
Watsonians: J Ferguson; J Mitchell, S Leweni, D Coetzer, Z Walls; C Bell, C McAlpine; C Lamberton, B Cooper, M McGinley, A McInnes, K Watt, S Cecil, C Wilson, N Irvine-Hess ©. Subs: J Holligan, C Davidson, D Voas, M Fyffe, Z Mactaggart, M Scott, H Fisher.
Key clash: Euan McVie versus Seb Cecil
Team news –
Edinburgh Accies: Struan Wells moves to full-back, Vincent Hart starts at stand-off and Robbie Chalmers returns on the wing. Edinburgh Rugby academy player Euan McVie starts at blindside and George Davis moves to openside in an otherwise unchanged forward pack. Paddy Hayes returns to the bench alongside Reuben Walsh and Kerr Gossman.
Watsonians: Several changes to the squad this week allowing opportunity for players to put their hands up for the play-off semi-final against Heriot's next week. In the back division, Sam Leweni and Conor McAlpine come in from Edinburgh, and Josh Ferguson gets a start at full-back having impressed for the 2nd XV. In the forwards, the front-row sees props Cole Lamberton and Martin McGinley return from injury, while Boyd Cooper, the Strathallan School 1st XV hooker, makes his first appearance. Kieran Watt comes into the boiler room in place of the injured Kwagga Van Niekerk, with Scotland under-20 cap Mark Fyffe in line for his debut off the bench.
What the coaches say –
"The last game of the season, it's been a disappointing one for us, but we hope to finish with a good performance …" – Iain Berthinussen (Edinburgh Accies)
"It has been a tough season for Edinburgh Accies, but any local derby throws form out the window. They will be keen to finish this campaign as positively as they can. From our side of the fence, we are looking to give some more game-time to squad players who are returning from injury or who have had limited time on task in recent weeks. It is also an appropriate opportunity to blood some new faces to perform in the Premiership as we look to build squad depth for next season …"– Davey Wilson (Watsonians)
Verdict: Some frontline players missing for Watsonians and Accies will want to end on a high, but the last few weeks will likely have knocked the stuffing out of them.
Away win.
Kelso v Glasgow Hawks
Venue: Poynder Park @ 3pm
Teams –
Kelso: A Barbour; D Patterson co-©, H Tweedie, F Robson, R Tweedie; L Herdman, A Tait; G Shiells, E Knox, D Gamble, C Thompson, M Shaw, K Melbourne co-©, L McConnell, M Woodcock, B McNeil. Subs: N Barnes, A McGregor, A Asante, I Coates, W Tweedie, A Sweenie, A Hall.
Glasgow Hawks: E Muirhead; B Morriss, F Callaghan, C Elliot, R Flett; A McLean, S Steele; I Malaulau, P Cairncross ©, M Walker, M Crumlish, R Burke, L Stewart, S Hastings, J Morris. Subs: T McTier, F Muir, M Goodwin, Y Shaheen, B Jackson, L Brims, J Couper.
Key clash: Andy Tait versus Scott Steele
Team news –
Kelso: Mackenzie Shaw drops out and Sam Wood is unavailable. Into the pack come co-captain Keith Melbourne and Edinburgh man Liam McConnell. Ashton Asante comes onto the bench in place of Max Cranston.
Glasgow Hawks: In the forwards, Scotland cap Murphy Walker is released by Glasgow Warriors to play tight-head in an important step in his long road back to match-fitness following almost two years of injury torment. Isaiah Malaulau moves to loose-head and Fraser Muir drops to the bench. Max Crumlish starts for the injured Andrew Syme in the second-row and will make his 50th appearance for the club. In the backs, Finlay Callaghan is fit and starts at 13 and Ben Morriss comes in on the wing for James Couper who drops to the bench. Scott Steele swaps roles with Brent Jackson to start at scrum-half.
What the coaches say –
"Our last league game of the season and whoever wins can rest easy knowing they will most likely be in the Premiership next season. We have worked hard to get to this point and we must execute the game plan well and stick to the process against what is a very strong Hawks side who are in good form and in the same boat as ourselves in terms of needing the points. A big crowd expected and the Poynder park faithful are a huge help on days like these and will bring a great atmosphere. It would be great to finish the season on a high …"– Neil Hinnigan (Kelso, DoR)
"After a disappointing first half last week, we got ourselves in a position to win the game in the last 10 minutes and it was frustrating that we let Watsonians back into it when we had them on the ropes. Poynder Park is an incredibly difficult place to go, as is evidenced by Kelso's home form where they were unbeaten in their last four games there until Currie last week. We have been in positions to win the last two games. We have to be ruthless for the full 80 minutes as we know Kelso will be desperate to win in their last game of the season in front of a home crowd …"– Andy Hill (Glasgow Hawks)
Verdict: Home advantage and the availability of Liam McConnell may be crucial in helping Kelso get the points they are after.
Home win.
Marr v Heriot's
Venue: Fullarton Park @ 3pm
Teams –
Marr: C Inglis; J Jacobson, S Bickerstaff ©; L Jarvie, J Broadfoot; G Beckwith, E McAra; S Khan, B Sweet C Miller, C Young, D Andrew, M Kirk, A Orr, B Jardine. Subs: C Steel, G Dick, A King, A Bowler, J Affleck, R Anderson, R Maiden.
Heriot's: D King; Z Ross, T Glendinning, A Hunter, B Evans; R Jones ©, H MacArthur; A Munro, M Liness, S Cessford, M Keough, J Campbell, S Anderson, R Kirkpatrick, A Johnston. Subs: D Neill, A Bogle, P Spence, R Leishman, T Dunn, S Broad, P Christie.
Key clash: David Andrew versus Jamie Campbell
Team news –
Marr: Brandon, Sweet and Aidan Orr come into the starting pack, with Euan McAra and Gregor Beckwith forming a new nine and 10 combination behind the scrum. Jack Broadfoot starts on the wing.
Heriot's: Sam Wallace is injured and Jason Hill and Chris Keen are unavailable, while skipper Ruairidh Leishman will start on the bench. Angus Munro, Malachy Keough, Callum Anderson and Ali Johnstone were all excellent off the bench against Ayr last week and step up in the pack. In the backs, Angus Hunter returns from Scotland under-20 duty in the centre, to replace Kenta Kutsuna who has gone home to Japan. Ben Evans has recovered from injury and is on the wing. Hamish McArthur, the Edinburgh academy man, will make his first start for the club. Ross Jones will skipper the side from stand-off with Tom Dunn, a standout performer for the 2nd XV all season, set to make his first appearance for the team this season off the bench.
What the coaches say –
"We were really pleased with last week's efforts except for the few lapses in accuracy. This week will need full 80 minutes of accuracy and discipline as we know the task ahead. With a few players missing it gives a few other faces a chance to show what they have got …" – Kenny Diffenthal (Marr)
"We are fully aware Marr have three home games to chase Premiership survival and we expect them to come out all guns blazing. The squad are determined to finish the regular season with a victory. This is also our last chance to fine tune our set plays and attack shape before next week's semi-final against Watsonians …" – Bob McKillop (Heriot's)
Verdict: Marr will have taken a boost from last week and will be aiming to build on that win. They are missing captain Grant Baird and experienced stand-off Colin Sturgeon at nine and 10, SO it's a big game for replacements Euan McAra and Gregor Beckwith. The Heriot's squad looks a bit different than usual, but there is still an experienced spine and with plenty of players looking to play their way into the match-day squad for the play-offs they should have enough in the tank here.
Away win.
Melrose v Musselburgh
Venue: The Greenyards @ 3pm
Teams –
Melrose: M Gabe; C Spence, D Mulcahy, E Davies, K Clark; R Brett, Doug Crawford; J Dobie, H Morris, Z Swarzagak, M Rutherford, A Runciman ©, B White, B Colvine, W Ferrie. Subs: L Kirk, A Kirk, A Weir, David Crawford, C Robertson, L Townsend, H Weir.
Musselburgh: P Burns; M McCowan, R Smith, R Watt ©, S Watt; B Weatherhead, J Rule; E Bonthron, B Stott, H Maeadows, J Haynes, R Brown, J Arnold, J Talac, J Longwell. Subs: Z Griffith, M Thomas, C McLean, S Talac, O Craig, F Craig, L Brook.
Key clash: Roly Brett versus Bruce Weatherhead
Team news –
Melrose: Harri Morris and Mac Rutherford are both released from Edinburgh and start in the pack. Ben White starts in the back-row and, in the backline, Evan Davies starts at 12. Hamish Weir returns on the bench.
Musselburgh: Unavailability has forced a reshuffle up front and in the backs. Ross Brown moves to second-row to accommodate Harry Meadows on his return at tight-head, and Joss Arnold starts at blindside. Bruce Weatherhead moves to stand-off and Rory Smith takes up the 13 slot. Pete Burns starts at 15 after impressing at Selkirk last week.
What the coaches say –
"After a disappointing result last week we are keen to get back out onto the pitch for the last time this season in the league. It's important we finished with a good performance. We need consistency over the whole game …"– Scott Wight (Melrose)
"Saturday isn't going to make a difference to either of the clubs' seasons so, selfishly, it's an opportunity to let the boys open up a bit more and enjoy the game for what it is. That's not to say that we have pulled up the handbrake and parked the bus, but we have an opportunity to take a free shot without fear of the consequences. Personally, if this is the last game of rugby I ever coach then I really want to see the boys enjoy and embrace a hard fought and entertaining performance – and, who knows, we might surprise ourselves and produce something special …"– Derek O'Riordan (Musselburgh)
Verdict: Musselburgh's players will want to send Derek O'Riordan off with a win after a tough campaign and, as he says, it is a free shot for them. Melrose will have been annoyed to lose to Border rivals Hawick last time out and will want to show their home supporters what they are really all about.
Home win.
The post Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership round 22: runners, riders and verdict appeared first on Scottish Rugby News from The Offside Line.
