BT Premiership: Marr Rugby v Watsonian FC
BT National Reserve: Gala v Marr Rugby (2pm kick off)
BT West Reserve League 2: Marr Rugby 3s v Annan 2s

All three Marr Rugby senior teams see a fair number of changes as they head into the fourth round of this season’s fixtures.

With two matches at Fullarton those on the touchline are once again in for a feast of rugby action. They also get to be witness to another couple of debuts and landmarks for the club’s history.

For the first time Marr Rugby has professional players turning out in purple and gold at Fullarton and we are thrilled to welcome James Malcom and Greg Peterson from Glasgow Warriors as they play their part in making this chapter in the club’s history. Last week Greg was part of the ‘away team’ at Mansfield Park and made a very impressive debut and valuable contribution in what was a gutsy team performance. Both he and James have played in front of big crowds but we know the home support will give them an especially warm welcome and leave them with a real sense and feeling of rugby life as part of Marr Rugby.

In addition, we know that the crowd will be delighted to acknowledge Marr Rugby’s latest centurion as Colin Sturgeon reaches this milestone in his Marr Rugby playing career.

On the top pitch the Mighty 3s will be the underdogs as they aim to get their first competitive win against a strong and improving Annan 2nd XV.

Saturday’s action gets underway with a 2pm kick-off at Netherdale for the 2ndXV who face a real step into the unknown in the heartlands of Borders rugby. Although it’s a top v bottom clash Gala will present a real test as they battle to get their season kick started in front of their own support. Our 2s have been playing very well and delivering good performances achieving impressive results and they know that they need to ensure they focus on getting the job done in what is likely to be a difficult tie.

Marr Rugby 1st XV preview: Last week’s good win on the road didn’t come without cost resulting in several changes to the squad and starting XV. Scott Bickerstaff and Angus Johnston are unavailable through injury sustained against Hawick. While head coach Craig Redpath has the benefit of being able to select James Malcom and Greg Peterson to strengthen the forwards for this match he is also looking towards the campaign ahead. He’s made some changes through squad rotation to give players vital game time as well as the opportunity to step up and show they are ready for 1st XV action. After good performances with the 2s we see Gregor Paxton and Max Freydell added to the 1s squad. With Tom Steven continuing to be unavailable through injury, Toby Buchanan starts on the wing.

Ross Miller makes a welcome and timely return and with Angus unavailable he switches from his preferred position to cover the flank with Kyle Hatherall retaining the number eight jersey.

Watsonians will arrive at Fullarton in confident mood after an impressive performance and result against previously unbeaten Stirling (38 – 26). From previous encounters in BT NL1, Marr Rugby’s supporters are familiar with Watsonians style of play and the threat that they will present. The added dimension is they are a much stronger side that the one that last played at Fullarton and have in their ranks a fair number of highly experienced and exciting players who have played at high level or are destined for this. Marr Rugby supporters will recall the handful that was Rory Drummond - his replacement Euan Dods is even more dynamic and Jamie Farndale who is a rising star for Scotland 7s will pose a real threat to Marr’s try line.

Conor Bickerstaff captains the side for the first time in the absence of Angus Johnston.

Marr Rugby 1st XV team selection
15. Craig Kolarik
14. Toby Buchanan
13. Conor Bickerstaff (C)
12. Colin Sturgeon
11. Richard Dalgleish
10. Dougie Steele
9. Kaleem Baretto
1. Greg Jackson
2. James Malcolm
3. William Farquhar
4. Greg Peterson
5. Ewan Bulger
6. Ross Miller
8. Kyle Hatherell
7. Mackenzie Pearce

Replacements/Substitutes
16. Stephen Adair
17. Chris Nisbet
18. Ross Jackson
19. Max Freydell
20. Gregor Paxton

Marr Rugby 2nd XV preview: The 2s flying start to the season and readiness to compete at the highest level will be given the stiffest test to date as they and head coach Keith Dunsmuir show they can deal with multiple changes to the squad and deliver against a side the will be fighting for survival in front of a very parochial crowd. The starting line-up sees six positional changes caused by squad rotation to give game time, movement of players between the three senior squads to help cover unavailability and also reward for good performances. Gregor Ness can look forward to eighty minutes of action as he starts at inside centre where we will partner Murray Beckwith who switches from fullback. So long as there are no last minutes changes to the 1s, Ollie Rossi will start as hooker. After very good performances last week for the 3s Craig Baird, Adam MacPherson and Thomas Watkins are rewarded with call ups to the 2s

Marr Rugby 2nd XV team selection:
15. Stuart Howie
14. Ry McInnes
13. Murray Beckwith
12. Gregor Ness
11. Mac McInnes
10. Rudi Marshall
9. Ali Hazel
8. Kyle Vallance ©
7. Callum Steel
6. Adam McPherson
5. Fraser Grant
4. Callum Craig
3. Fraser Ferguson
2. Ollie Rossi
1. Neil Wallace

Replacements/Substitutes
16. Danny McCulloch
17. Blair Campbell
18. Craig Baird
19. Thomas Watkins

Marr Rugby 3rd XV preview: Marr 3s will be aiming to return to winning ways against Annan 2s after both sides were on the wrong end of the wrath of Allan Glen’s. Last week Marr put up a good fight but were finally overwhelmed losing 17 – 44. Annan had a free weekend as their opponents failed to field a team and this will have given them the benefit of further work to help come back from their 78 – 3 defeat. This season the 3s have stepped up a league and are still finding their feet. The team is getting good numbers of players with an improving mix of young and not so players, including several recent school leavers.

With Craig Baird, Adam McPherson and Thomas Watkins being called up to the 2s and the possibility of further movement a couple of positions for the 3s are still to be finalised.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV Team selection:
1. Jason Doolan
2. Neil Campion
3. Sean Duff
4. Euan McGerty
5. Malcolm Mcgregor
6. TBC
7. Andrew AJ Orr
8. Don Morrison
9. Rory MacColl
10. Andrew Mathieson (c)
11. Andrew Dunlop
12. Jonathan Connell
13. Marc Tracey
14. Jack Butchart
15. TBC

Replacements/substitutes
16. Chris Myers
17. Robert Andrew
18. Graeme Currie
19. Alistair Barclay
20. Fraser McPherson
21. Stephen Beveridge