Marr Rugby - senior squad selections for 20 January 2018

BT Premiership: Ayr RFC v Marr Rugby (3pm kick off)
###OFF###BT National Reserve League 2: Hawick RFC v Marr Rugby (2pm kick off)
BT West Reserve League 2: Marr Rugby v Dalziel RFC (2pm kick off)

###2s match off - SNOW###

The ‘big’ matches just keep coming and coming for Marr Rugby. This Saturday it’s the return leg of the new Ayrshire derby as the 1s head to Millbrae where they can expect a ‘warm’ welcome while the 2s make the long trip to Mansfield Park for their top of the table clash against Hawick. Meanwhile the 3s are holding the fort at Fullarton where they hope to finally get a match played – this time against Dalziel.

Marr Rugby 1st XV preview: Round 15 provides the opportunity for Marr to show their mettle as they face up to a strong Ayr squad and the added edge of a local derby. In the reverse fixture in October Ayr ran out winners 6 – 19 in a tightly fought contest that included Marr playing for over 50 minutes with only 14 players.

This Saturday both sides show a number of changes from the October line-up so it’s hard to factor in the previous match – other than emphasise that both sides have much to play for. Ayr look to be particularly strong in the pack, with Scott Sutherland and Peter McCallum likely to be prominent. They have a dangerous set of backs and with Fraser Climo at stand-off pulling the strings Marr can expect to get little chance of catching breath in defence and little opportunity of free space in attack. Ayr are also supplemented by the inclusion in the squad of BT stage 3 academy winger Robbie Nairn and British and Irish Lion Ryan Grant.

Marr show a number of changes from last week with Ben Johnston and Greg Jackson both starting in the pack. Marr benefits from the availability of pro-draft players Oli Kebbie and Samu Vunisa who start and James Malcom who is on the bench. He’s joined there by Fraser Watt & Fraser Grant who have both made a full recovery from injury. In the backs, the absence through injury of Kaleem Baretto means that Grant Baird is called in as cover to make his debut in the BT Premiership. Rory McGee’s unavailability sees a recall to the starting line-up for Dougie Steele.

Matching up both sides it looks like we can expect a real physical battle that will not be for the faint hearted.

Marr’s players know they have to patient and precise, reduce their error count, have a stable set-piece, be tight in defence and convert pressure into points. The players have reflected on recent performances and this Saturday can deliver.

Marr Rugby 1st XV selection
1. Oli Kebbie
2. Greg Jackson
3. William Farquhar
4. Ewan Bulger
5. Ross Miller
6. Samu Vunisa
7. Angus Johnston ©
8. Ben Johnston
9. Grant Baird
10. Craig Kolarik
11. Tom Steven
12. Conor Bickerstaff
13. Richard Dalgleish
14. Scott Bickerstaff
15. Dougie Steele

Replacements/Substitutes
16. James Malcolm
17. Fraser Watt
18. Mackenzie Pearce
19. Fraser Grant
20. Toby Buchanan

Marr Rugby 2nd XV preview: This match will go a long way to decide the destination of the league title as Marr aim to get pay back for their only defeat of the season when they travel to play Hawick in the reverse fixture. In September Hawick survived late fight back to edge out winners 27-30 when they visited Fullarton. Since then they have lost only one match and hold a slim lead at the top of the league courtesy of having played one more match than Marr. Marr are able to field a strong and experienced squad who are more than capable of getting a result but they will face a strong home side and support that isn’t used to losing so we expect another close match and real test of character, determination and ability.

Marr Rugby 2nd XV selection:
1. Neil Wallace
2. Ollie Rossi
3. Fraser Ferguson
4. Kyle Hatherell
5. Rollo Press
6. Danny Clark
7. Callum Steel
8. Josh Evans ©
9. Ali Hazel
10. Chris Galloway
11. Mac McInnes
12. Andrew Mill
13. Jack Scott
14. Ry McInnes
15. Gregor Ness

Replacements/Substitutes
16. Danny McCulloch
17. Mark Allison
18. Callum Craig
19. Adam MacPherson
20. Rudi Marshall
21. Ali Walker
22. Murray Beckwith

Marr Rugby 3rd XV preview: After a ‘break’ lasting 11 weeks the 3s hope to finally get some competitive game time. The disruption to the fixture schedule has been caused by a mixture of weather, the festive season and player availability issues. For Marr this has been far from ideal as the season which started so well has been subject of major interruption and with a number of key players unavailable through work or other commitments Andrew Mathieson is still finalising his team selection. Whilst Dalziel aren’t enjoying their best ever season we know well from past encounters that they like to rock up at Fullarton and either snatch a win or at least make sure Marr have to work hard.
Marr Rugby 3rd XV selection: to follow