Champions past and present meet at Myreside on Friday as the Super Series returns from its mid-season break.
Watsonians, the current title-holders, beat the Ayrshire Bulls at Millbrae in the opening round of the competition. But they have had mixed fortunes since, with a humiliating defeat by arch-rivals Heriot’s being a particular low, and although they won their last match against the Future XV they have yet to get close to the form they enjoyed last season.
By contrast the Bulls, who were the inaugural winners back in 2021, have gone from strength to strength. Not only have they won all five of their outings since that loss to Watsonians, they have been increasingly impressive since doing so.
Nonetheless, Ayrshire head coach Pat MacArthur is taking nothing for granted. “Myreside is a difficult place to go and play, so we will need to be prepared for a physical battle and match their power up front,” he said.
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Watsonians head coach Nikki Walker delivered a similar message. “Ayrshire Bulls are a very well-coached, physical and confrontational outfit that we will need to match up front and on the gain line to get anything out of the match,” he said.
Heriot’s, ahead of the Bulls only on points difference at the top of the table, can come close to clinching a play-off place if they beat Boroughmuir Bears at home tomorrow [Sat]. The Southern Knights will hope to stay in contention with a win against the Future XV in tomorrow’s late match.
The match of the day in the Premiership, meanwhile, sees leaders Currie Chieftains - the only club to have won all three of their games so far - welcome second-placed Heriot’s Blues to Malleny. Third-placed Edinburgh Accies are at home to champions Hawick, Musselburgh visit Jed-Forest, Kelso are at home to Glasgow Hawks and Selkirk travel to Marr.
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