On Saturday Marr entertain Edinburgh Accies at Fullarton, a match that will yet again test Marr to the fullest where the Bill McLaren Shield is yet again on the line.

Edinburgh Accies are in an unusual position, as they are playing all their away games first. Marr were in a similar position in the 2013/14 season due to the fire at Fullarton. Raeburn Place is currently getting totally rebuilt and if the plans are anything to go by, it surely will be the best club rugby facility in Scotland. Marr will certainly be looking forward to the away fixture early next year.

Accies are of course the oldest club in Scotland formed 1857 and the second oldest in the world! Marr have not played Edinburgh Accies for three seasons now. However the last time in NL1 Marr lost narrowly at Raeburn Place in the first match of the season, then won narrowly in a dramatic match at home in the reverse fixture in what was one of the greatest games ever played at Fullarton. Marr won the division that year with Accies coming a close second.

Accies have won 2 away games so far this season. They hammered Musselburgh 61 points to 14 and managed a good win away to Jed. All the defeats have been tight affairs which suggests this match will be no different, especially as they will had the chance for bodies to recover after last weeks game against Hawick was postponed until the new year.

Head coach Craig Redpath has the easy job of picking the exact same pack as the previous three weeks, but has made some changes behind the scrum.

Firstly, Greg Montgomery moves from full back into scrum half, as Jack Preston is away on business. It is great news that Marr’s talismanic top try scorer, Scott Bickerstaff is back fit to take up his usual 14 jersey in his 210th game for the club (Looking to add to his 180 try count!). Iosefo Turaga drops to the bench, making way for Jack Scott, also returning from injury.

Gregor Ness gets the nod at full back and the exciting news for the Fullarton faithful, is the return to the bench of fan favourite & Marr centurion Grant "Falcon" Baird.

Grant is a product of the Marr College Conveyer Belt through all the age groups and has exactly 100 caps for the 1st XV. He was a standout player in our rise through the leagues and arguably our most consistent performer. Work commitments have made him take a back seat on the playing side, but as one of the top 9's in Scottish club rugby it's great that he has made himself available for this crunch game.

Please give your support to the Marr Mini's P4 team who are performing the 'guard of honour, The Marr match mascot will be Michael Rattray. Good luck Michael!

Tennent's Premiership
Marr RFC 1st XV vs Edinburgh Academical FC 1st XV
19/10/2019 15:00
Match Sponsor: DM HOMESHIELD
Mascot: Michael Rattray (P4)

1. Brandon Sweet (7)
2. Ollie Rossi (111)
3. Calvin Henderson (29)
4. Ewan Hamilton-Bulger (51)
5. Fraser Grant (155)
6. Mackenzie Pearce (VC) (85)
7. Robert Brown (7)
8. Benedict Grant (7)
9. Greg Montgomery (6)
10. Colin Sturgeon (119)
11. Jack Scott (21)
12. Conor Bickerstaff (C) (179)
13. Richard Dalgleish (42)
14. Scott Bickerstaff (209)
15. Gregor Ness (124)

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jamie Drummond (7)
17. William Farquhar (103)
18. Josh Harvey (3)
19. Grant Baird (100)
20. Iosefo Turaga (7)

The Marr 2nd XV are also playing at Fullarton for the first time this season against GHK and will be looking to keep challenging at the top end of the table. A strong looking side with Cody Cunningham dropping down for some much needed game time after some strong performances from the bench for the 1st XV as well as a familiar name in former 1st XV captain Angus Johnston making himself available to play. Graeme Dick also recovers from long term injury to take a place on the bench for his first runout of the season.

The side is captained by last years Marr College 1st XV Captain in Kyle McCulloch who has been performing well and is joined by his fellow school teammates in Isaac Renucci, Murray Blair, Alex McCormack, Gregor Beckwith, Scott McDonald, Matthew O'Leary, Ryan Brown & Mackenzie Smith. Strongly urge the Fullarton faithful to get up early and support the boys.

Marr RFC 2nd XV vs GHK 2nd XV
19/10/2019 14:30

1. Neil Wallace
2. Richie McNicol
3. Isaac Renucci
4. Michael Quinn
5. Cody Cunningham
6. Kyle McCulloch (C)
7. Callum Steel
8. Murray Blair
9. Alex McCormack
10. Gregor Beckwith
11. Matthew O'Leary
12. Scott McDonald
13. Mac McInnes
14. Ry McInnes
15. Ryan Brown

16. Mark Allison
17. Blair Campbell
18. Graeme Dick
19. Callum Craig
20. Mackenzie Smith
21. Angus Johnston
22. Rory Craig

The 3rd XV will be looking to bounce back after their first defeat of the season last week when they take on a combined team of East Kilbride and Cumbuslang 2nd XV. This match will be played at Cambuslang. Let us hope that they will still be top of the league come 5pm!

Team still TBC