Marr Rugby’s 1st XV take a step into the unknown as they travel to Fife to play NL1 newcomers Kirkcaldy. We are told Marr have previously visited Beveridge Park and played Kirkcaldy in league action – some forty years ago – so for all of the squad, the coaching team and almost all of the travelling support this will be a step into new territory.

Kirkcaldy hold an impressive record of home league wins that stretches back to March 2017. This includes a comfortable victory (41-14) against Kelso in their last home match. Under the guidance of their long standing Head Coach – Samoan Internationalist Quintan Sanft - they have made steady progress through the leagues to secure promotion into NL1. Key players include lock Connor Wood and halfback playmaker Alex Black so Marr will need to be on their toes.

After last week’s good result Marr’s squad sees several changes caused by injury and other availability issues. Ross Miller is on holiday while both Dan Law & Mackenzie Pearce are completing their concussion return to play protocols. Angus Johnston has started a new job which will see his availability vary over the course of the season & Scott Bickerstaff picked up an injury at Thursday training. Graeme Dick and Callum Steel are moved into the starting line-up for the first time this season while Richard Dalgleish makes a timely return from injury.

Jack Scott (sponsored by the Harbour Bar) starts on the wing & will make his NL1 debut to become the latest in a long line of players who have progressed from Marr Rugby Minis and Youth, through Marr College to playing with Marr Rugby’s 1st XV in competitive league action. Jack can play a range of positions across the back line and has been performing well and impressing in 2nd XV performances and at training. Fraser Miller could also make his competitive debut from the bench after joining the club in the summer.

Marr Rugby 1st XV selection (Caps to date)
15 Liam McLoughlin (3)
14 Jack Scott (0)
13 Richard Dalgleish (19)
12 Gregor Paxton (32)
11 Tom Steven (39)
10 Conor Bickerstaff (C) (152)
9 Ali Hazel (7)
1 William Farquhar (77)
2 Stephen Adair (123)
3 Calvin Henderson (3)
4 Graeme Dick (3)
5 Ewan Hamilton-Bulger (24)
6 Fraser Grant (134)
8 Ben Johnston (84)
7 Callum Steel (4)

Replacements/Substitutes
16 Ollie Rossi (89)
17 Fraser Miller (0)
18 Josh Evans (22)
19 Findlay Hazel (3)
20 Andrew Mill (71)

Meanwhile the 2s match against Stirling had to be scratched after assessment of player availability follow the previous two matches. These have seen significant numbers of major injuries that mean a number of players will be out for months. This and work commitments have seriously impaired options for availability, and in particular essential from row cover.

The option of calling up 3s players was discounted on safety grounds. Whilst this is disappointing we need to recognise that the step up being made by the 2s is significant. They are now routinely playing against Premiership level players and the physical demands and expectations are much greater. The injury list took a big jump during the pre-season fixtures and in every match since more players have been added. On the basis of needing to ensure that we could field a team to safely play a competitive match the club was left with little choice but to make an unwelcome decision.

Front row players unavailable: Mark Allison; Gordon Dunsmuir; Fraser Ferguson; Danny McCulloch; Curran McMillan; Richard McNicol and Neil Wallace.

Front row players available: Jason Doolan and Fraser Miller, although Fraser has been called up to the 1s.

Last but not least, the 3s aim to get back into the groove. After their disappointment against league leaders Hillhead/Jordanhill, playing Accies 2s will be another big test for our 3s side, who like the 2s have found the step up in competition a major challenge.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV selection
1. Jason Doolan
2. Sean Duff
3. Darren Morgan
4. Jim McNiven
5. John Calder
6. Don Morrison
7. Euan McGerty
8. Shaun Fallows
9. Rory Hugh MacColl
10. Craig Kolarik
11. Stephen Beveridge
12. Andrew Mathieson ©
13. Aaron Rankin
14. Gareth Abbot
15. Thomas Watkins

Replacements/Substitutes
16. Alistair Barclay
17. Jack Strang
18. Lochlann Mcgregor
19. Chris Helton
20. Will Murray