Media Guide Season 2019-20 Contents

1. Welcome from Sean Lineen 4 2. A new dawn for Scottish Club Rugby 5 3. Media Guidance 6 4. Season 2019-20 Fixtures 7 5. Team Profiles Ayrshire Bulls 8 Boroughmuir Bears 9 Heriot’s Rugby 10 Specialists in Southern Knights 11 Stirling County 12 Constructive Solutions Watsonians Rugby 13 FOSROC, a leading international manufacturer and 6. Wales cross-border partnership 14 supplier of high performance chemicals for the construction industry, are proud to be supporting 7. Media Contacts 15 grass roots rugby in Scotland.

FOSROC is excited to be the headline sponsor for the inaugural season of Super6 and believes it will play an important role in developing players and providing an opportunity for them to reach their full potential and progress in the game. The FOSROC Super6 is an exciting new addition to the Scottish rugby calendar and we look forward to seeing the tournament unfold in the coming months and wish all the players and teams well.

www.fosroc.com constructive solutions @Super6Rugby Super6Rugby.org 3 Welcome FOSROC Super6 from Sean Lineen A new dawn for Scottish club rugby

FOSROC Super6 is the part-time professional structure created in order to bridge the gap between the top level of rugby and the amateur game in Scotland. Clubs were invited to bid for one of six franchises and in May 2018, the successful applicants were announced in the shape of Ayrshire Bulls, Boroughmuir Bears, Heriot’s Rugby, Southern Knights, Stirling County and Watsonians Rugby. The inaugural campaign will feature play-off matches in March 2020, with the table toppers playing the team finishing fourth while second will face third. The winners of both ties will then meet in the final, while semi-final losers will also meet in the 3rd-4th play-off. The teams finishing fifth and sixth are to meet over two legs to determine those final placings. In season one, the tournament will run from November 2019 to March 2020, with a cross- border competition involving Welsh Premiership sides to follow in April and May. Season two of FOSROC Super6 will begin with domestic fixtures in August 2020, finishing in November, with the cross-border aspect retaining its April-May fixture axis. Each FOSROC Super6 franchise is made up of 35 members, five of whom are FOSROC Academy Stage 3 players, with both Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors squads seconded as and when needed. There are also a number of Scottish Qualified (SQ) players registered with each FOSROC Super6 side, as part of a clearer pathway for full potentials to be reached.

The FOSROC Super6 represents an exciting Super6 clubs, as well as 30 Scottish Qualified place for both players and coaches to develop (SQ) players returning to the country as their skills at a level we previously did not ambitious guys who now have a platform have within the Scottish structure. Bridging from which to demonstrate their ability. We the gap between amateur and professional want to keep our best players in Scotland and rugby is crucial in order to get the best out that has to be the long-term goal. of the talent we have in this country and ensuring the sustainability of clubs from This inaugural season of Super6 is the off is as important. With those blocks in tremendously exciting for the future of our place, we can grow the game to reach a place game and I can’t wait to see some competitive whereby the stream of quality rugby players rugby over the coming months as this new and coaches is coming through our system competition gets underway. consistently. Sean Lineen There are 30 FOSROC Scottish Rugby Academy Head of Player Development, Stage 3 members assigned to competing FOSROC Super6

4 FOSROC Super6 Media Guide @Super6Rugby Super6Rugby.org 5 Media Season 2019-20 Guidance Fixtures

For any Scottish Rugby related press enquiries will be coordinated by either the team’s own Boroughmuir Bears v Stirling County Stirling County v Heriot’s Rugby for FOSROC Super6, please contact Sarah Bell media manager or a member of Scottish Fri 8 Nov, 7.30pm | Meggetland Sat 18 Jan, 4pm | Bridgehaugh via [email protected] / 07870 545 068. Rugby’s media department. Sarah works from Wednesday to Sunday. Ben Southern Knights v Watsonians Rugby Watsonians Rugby v Ayrshire Bulls The FOSROC Player of the Match will also Fox is the media contact in Sarah’s absence – Sat 9 Nov, 3pm | Greenyards Sun 19 Jan, 2pm | Myreside be available for media interview. For any [email protected] – 07811 811 457. Ayrshire Bulls v Heriot’s Rugby Southern Knights v Boroughmuir Bears additional interview requests post-match Sun 10 Nov, 2pm | Millbrae TV Sun 19 Jan, 2pm | Greenyards TV The correct name for the tournament, which please liaise with the Club Media Manager should be used in all written and broadcast directly. For any FOSROC Super6 interview Ayrshire Bulls v Boroughmuir Bears Heriot’s Rugby v Boroughmuir Bears references is the FOSROC Super6. Please note requests outside of matchday please contact Sat 16 Nov, 3pm | Millbrae Sat 25 Jan, 2pm | Goldenacre there is no space between ‘Super’ and ‘6’. Sarah Bell or the respective club. Stirling County v Southern Knights Stirling County v Watsonians Rugby FOSROC is always uppercase. Sat 16 Nov, 4pm | Bridgehaugh Sat 25 Jan, 3pm | Bridgehaugh Filmed post-match media interviews should Heriot’s Rugby v Watsonians Rugby Ayrshire Bulls v Southern Knights will be shared with take place in front of a FOSROC branded Team announcements Sun 17 Nov, 2pm | Goldenacre TV Sun 26 Jan, 2pm | Millbrae TV the media via a dedicated media release. tournament backdrop and be coordinated by Teams for Friday night matches will be the club’s media manager at an agreed time Boroughmuir Bears v Heriot’s Rugby Watsonians Rugby v Heriot’s Rugby announced no later than 24hrs in advance. post-match. To develop a database of media Fri 22 Nov, 7.30pm | Meggetland Fri 14 Feb, 7pm | Myreside Teams for Saturday and Sunday fixtures will covering FOSROC Super6 and to ensure media Southern Knights v Ayrshire Bulls Boroughmuir Bears v Ayrshire Bulls be announced at least 24hrs in advance, with managers can be aware of who is attending Sat 23 Nov, 3pm | Greenyards Sat 15 Feb, 3pm | Meggetland an aim to have details sharedSam by Grove-White,Friday PM. Holliematches, Davidson written & Mike and Adamson photographic media are Watsonians Rugby v Stirling County Southern Knights v Stirling County asked to sign in before kick-off at each game. Sun 24 Nov, 3pm | Myreside TV Sun 16 Feb, 2pm | Greenyards TV Images from FOSROC Super6 matches will be available through the respective teams. Wifi is provided by each home club and log-in Heriot’s Rugby v Stirling County Watsonians Rugby v Southern Knights Scottish Rugby will commission SNS to attend details will be displayed for media in relevant Sat 30 Nov, 2pm | Goldenacre Sun 1 March, 2pm | Myreside at least one match per weekend. Images from areas. Photographers wishing to attend a Ayrshire Bulls v Watsonians Rugby Stirling County v Boroughmuir Bears those games will be available via the usual FOSROC Super6 match are asked to notify Sat 30 Nov, 3pm | Millbrae Sun 1 March, 2pm | Bridgehaugh SNS online portals – free of charge – and the respective club’s media manager at least Boroughmuir Bears v Southern Knights Heriot’s Rugby v Ayrshire Bulls should be credited to Scottish Rugby/SNS 24hrs in advance. Sun 1 Dec, 2pm | Meggetland TV Sun 1 March, 2pm | Goldenacre TV when used. Scottish Rugby is the rights holder for FOSROC Southern Knights v Heriot’s Rugby Play-offs When referencing FOSROC Super6 on social Super6. Broadcast requests to film or record Sat 7 Dec, 4.30pm | Greenyards media channels please use the hashtag content on a match-day at any FOSROC Watsonians Rugby v Boroughmuir Bears 1st v 4th #FOSROCSuper6 and add in the official Twitter Super6 match must be agreed in writing in Sun 8 Dec, 2pm | Myreside 2nd v 3rd account when applicable - @Super6Rugby advance. Requests should be directed to Stirling County v Ayrshire Bulls 5th v 6th Sarah Bell in the first instance. FOSROC Super6 teams will aim to hold Sun 8 Dec, 2pm | Bridgehaugh TV Fri 20 - Sun 22 March interview media access and/or visual access All logos and competition marks should be Heriot’s Rugby v Southern Knights Finals sessions on a weekly rotational basis – please used and applied in accordance with the Sat 14 Dec, 2pm | Goldenacre see Scottish Rugby’s weekly media schedule Tournament brand guidelines, which are Ayrshire Bulls v Stirling County Winners 1st v 4th v Winners 2nd v 3rd for specific details. Post-match a coach and available on request from the FOSROC Super6 Sat 14 Dec, 3pm | Millbrae Losers 1st v 4th v Losers 2nd v 3rd selected player from both teams will be clubs or Scottish Rugby. Boroughmuir Bears v Watsonians Rugby 5th v 6th (2nd leg) available for media interview. Access to both Sun 15 Dec, 2pm | Meggetland TV Fri 27 - Sun 29 March

6 FOSROC Super6 Media Guide @Super6Rugby Super6Rugby.org 7 Ayrshire Boroughmuir Bulls Bears

FORWARDS BACKS FORWARDS BACKS

Lewis Anderson Grant Anderson Callum Atkinson Rory Arthur George Bordill David Armstrong Gregor Brown* Greg Cannie @AyrshireBulls Ewan Davies Tyler Beary Michael Downer Martin Cimprich Graham Geldenhuys Frasier Climo Tom Drennan Jordan Edmunds @AyrshireBulls @muirbears ayrrugbyclub.co.uk Nicolas Griffiths Matthew Davidson boroughmuirsports.co.uk Toby Francombe Glen Faulds Ground: Millbrae Ground: Meggetland Fraser Hastie Chester Duff Will Inglis Cammy Gray Success is ingrained at the club that spawned Rory Jackson* Craig Gossman Born out of the club that produced such Craig Keddie Murray Johnstone this Super6 franchise, Ayr having won the rugby luminaries as British & Irish Lions Iain top national championship no fewer than Sam Kitchen Tom Jordan Paxton and Bruce Hay, the Bears are coached Martin McGinley Ronan Kerr three times since 2013. Peter Murchie’s new by former Scotland centre Graham Shiel and Blair MacPherson Thomas Lewis Scott McGinley Chris Laidlaw outfit have a host of exciting players in their have a squad that boasts a mix of local talent ranks, many of whom have been exposed to Peter McCallum Daniel McCluskey and a few names from further afield. AP McWilliam Robbie McCallum* sustained prosperity both with Ayr and the Amongst the new arrivals at Meggetland Scotland Club team. AlexanderMcGuire Isaac McNulty David Medjebeur Kyle McGhie are Kenyan international hooker Toby Of the Millbrae ‘old heads’, Pete McCallum Euan McLaren* James Pinkerton Francombe, Czech stand-off Martin Cimprich Aubrey MnCube Rufus McLean* brings with him a real sense of leadership, and French second-row David Medjebuer. Lars Morrice Aylan Schabort Ryan Montgomery Gavin Parker the back-row having been a key member of However, some club stalwarts remain an Ayr’s recent history. Other Millbrae mainstays Cameron Reece Ollie Smith* important piece of Shiels’ jigsaw, with Chris George Shannon Archie Russell include influential stand-off Frazier Climo and Laidlaw sure to play a big part in orchestrating fellow half-back David Armstrong, who will Gordon Reid Ross Thompson* things from fly-half and prolific winger Jordan Ewan Stewart Cammy Scott* be seen as important off-field characters in Ruairidh Sayce Harry Warr Edmunds a sure-fire try scorer at Super6 level. Matt Walker Jack Steele welcoming the Bulls’ new additions. Bears have added some young names as Michael Scott Dan Winning* Tom Wilson In that respect, the club have added fleet- well and will be looking forward to seeing footed Scotland U20 playmaker Ross Marshall Sykes* how Scotland U20 backline starlets Robbie Elia Zampolli Thompson to their ranks. The former Glasgow McCallum (centre), Kyle McGhie (scrum-half) Hawks pivot has amassed 20 caps at youth Gavin Wilson and Rufus McLean (full-back) fare against international level and his further progression more experienced opposition, whilst 18-year- will be keenly watched. Others to look out old flanker Gregor Brown is an age-grade cap for include Scottish-qualified scrum-half and worth keeping an eye on. Aylan Schabort, exciting back Ollie Smith Head Coach: Peter Murchie Head Coach: Graham Shiel and international prop Gordon Reid, who represented Scotland at a second World Cup, in Japan. *FOSROC Academy Stage 3 *FOSROC Academy Stage 3

8 FOSROC Super6 Media Guide @Super6Rugby Super6Rugby.org 9 Heriot’s Southern Rugby Knights

FORWARDS BACKS FORWARDS BACKS

Martin Bouab Alex Ball Russell Anderson Patrick Anderson Struan Cessford Jack Blain Calum Crookshanks Bruce Colvine Dan Gamble* Ben Chalmers Rory Darge* Thomas Galbraith Jason Hill Robbie Chalmers Alan Gregory Jacob Henry* @HeriotsRugby @Sthrn_Knights heriotsrugbyclub.co.uk Ali Johnston James Couper melroserugby.org Shaun Gunn* Struan Hutchison Ground: Goldenacre Ground: The Greenyards Charlie Jupp* Stuart Edwards James Head Craig Jackson The Phil Smith era continues to an extent Chris Keen Cameron Hutchison The iconic Greenyards will be the setting for Neil Irvine-Hess Joseph Jenkins while Heriot’s wait for incoming Head Coach Southern Knights, whose franchise is packed Andy Kelly to finish up in Hong Kong so from Ruairidh Leishman Ross Jones with Scottish talent of all ages. Head Coach Ruaridh Knott Murdo McAndrew a continuity point of view, the Goldenacre Robert Chrystie has signed up a number of his Michael Liness Robert Kay Ewan McQuillin Michael Mvelase-Julyan side are well placed. Theirs is a settled squad, 2017/18 double winners, backing the players possessing plenty of experience and no little Jack Mann* Scott King* at his disposal to take things to the next level. Iain Moody Andrew Nagle talent, particularly in the back row where Club stalwarts like Fraser Thomson, Bruce Smith can call upon the redoubtable Jason Callum Marshall Rory McMichael Colvine, Russell Anderson, Iain Moody and Harri Morris Iain Sim Hill, Iain Wilson and Jack McLean, as well as Jack McClean Dan Nutton Craig Jackson are all aged or approaching Dalton Redpath Nathan Sweeney* Scotland 7s legend Scott Riddell. Up-and- 30, although their considerable ability and coming duo Patrick McVeigh and Jack Mann Patrick McVeigh Harry Paterson * hunger remains. Fraser Renwick Fraser Thomson will glean plenty from that quartet, as part New additions for the Knights include of a pack that will look to unleash some Andrew Nimmo Scott Robeson Tom Robertson Ciaran Whyte Australian prop Connor Young, South African exciting backs. Scott Riddell Andrew Simmers flyer Michael Mvelase-Julyan and Joe Jenkins, Angus Runciman Gavin Wood Stuart Edwards will no doubt have a big say Josh Scott James Spencer a winger with Wales 7s experience of whom Finlay Scott* in how Heriot’s approach their attack and good things are expected. In addition, former he is joined by incoming brothers Robbie Ronan Seydak Melrose favourites Tom Galbraith (stand-off), Grant Shiells and Ben Chalmers, as well as a host of lively prop Ewan McQuillin and the versatile Andrew fledglings that include Scott King, Harry Adam Sinclair Nagle have returned to their old stamping Dylan Taylor Paterson, Scott Robeson and Jack Blain, all Iain Wilson ground to add severe strength in depth to the Mak Wilson of whom are still teenagers. Borders’ representatives for this inaugural Super6 season. Conor Young

Head Coach: Phil Smith (incoming - Andy Kelly) Head Coach: Robert Chrystie

*FOSROC Academy Stage 3 *FOSROC Academy Stage 3

10 FOSROC Super6 Media Guide @Super6Rugby Super6Rugby.org 11 Stirling Watsonians County Rugby

FORWARDS BACKS FORWARDS BACKS

George Arnott Euan Cunningham Michael Badenhorst Lewis Berg Oliver Bartlett Andrew Goudie Connor Boyle* Andrew Chalmers Fergus Bradbury Landon Hayes Ross Graham Matthew Currie* Charlie Brown Josh Henderson Sam Grahamslaw* Jamie Forbes @StirlingCounty @WATSONIANFC Finn Hobbis Ewan Fox stirlingcounty-rfc.co.uk Ross Bundy Oliver Horne watsoniansrugby.com Ground: Bridgehaugh Ground: Myreside Jamie Hodgson Roan Frostwick* Billy Dineen Grant Hughes* Morgan Inness Angus Guthrie Head Coach Ben Cairns has spread his Angus Fraser* Craig Jardine Under the tutelage of Fergus Pringle and his recruitment drive far and wide, with the assistant, Nikki Walker, Watsonians will be Rory Jackson* Ali Harris Bridgehaugh squad marrying some very Connor Gordon Kristian Kay* hoping several of their talented youngsters intriguing youngsters with a few worldly- can blossom at Super6 level. Of that stable, Brian Leitch DJ Innes Cameron Henderson* Sean Kennedy wise heads. Much will be expected in the Scotland U20 skipper Connor Boyle has James Miller Lomond Macpherson coming years of 17 year-old stand-off Euan Reyner Kennedy Robbie Kent already shown considerable promise during Cunningham, although fellow playmaker his embryonic career, and he is joined Gregor Nelson Lee Millar Josh King Caleb Korteweg Josh Henderson is hardly old at 22. Young by fellow age-grade internationals Roan Finlay Simpson Joe Reynolds scrum-half Kristian Kay will gain plenty of tips Alasdair Mackie Ewan MacGarvie Frostwick (scrum-half), Sam Grahamslaw from former Edinburgh star Sean Kennedy, (prop), Rory Jackson (hooker), Lomond Jack Stanley Murray Scott who at 28 is amongst the oldest of County’s James Pow Andrew McLean Macpherson (wing) and second row Jamie Campbell Wilson Ruaraidh Smith backline stable. Hodgson who, at 21, is a relative veteran Bryce Robertson Mark New with Edinburgh experience already. Centre Nathan Borel Kody McGovern In the pack, Stirling have plenty more to Matthew Currie, at 18, is another to look out come, including young prop Murphy Walker Lewis Skinner Bruce Sorbie Jonny Gibson for as the season unfolds. and giant second-row Cameron Henderson, Dean Taylor-Menzies Logan Trotter Kieran Watt both of whom have represented Scotland In balancing the squad, Watsonians have at U20 level. MacPhail Scholarship recipient Aaron Thomson some older heads signed up, including former Cal Davies Angus Fraser, a hooker, also bolsters Cairns’ Currie backs Joe Reynolds and Jamie Forbes, Harry Fisher options in the forwards. Murphy Walker* stand-off Lee Millar and seasoned prop Nathan Borel. Kiwi winger Kody McGovern is Harrison Courtney Experience comes in the form of Australian Adam Wood a new face in a settled squad at Myreside this back-five forward Oliver Bartlett and 30 year- term, having joined from the Bay of Plenty old Dean Taylor-Menzies, a versatile back-row region in his homeland. forward from New Zealand who has moved from Western Australia. Head Coach: Fergus Pringle Head Coach: Ben Cairns Assistant Coach: Nikki Walker

*FOSROC Academy Stage 3 *FOSROC Academy Stage 3

12 FOSROC Super6 Media Guide @Super6Rugby Super6Rugby.org 13 Wales Cross-Border Media Partnership Contacts

Wales Partnership: Once the regular Super6 season has reached its climax, clubs will then have Tournament Media Contact: the opportunity to pit their skills against sides from the Indigo Group Welsh Premiership as the final part of a World Cup season. In an exciting development for the first instalment of Super6 Sarah Bell | [email protected] | 07870 545 068 rugby, Scottish sides will face fixtures against a combination of champions Merthyr, Cardiff, Scottish Rugby BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh EH12 5PJ Pontypridd, Llandovery, Ebbw Vale and Aberavon – those that comprised last term’s top six in the Welsh top flight. Each team will host three matches and are guaranteed to face one another before the inaugural Super6 season finishes. These cross-border examinations will begin on Saturday 25 April and culminate five weeks later on Saturday 30 May 2020. @AyrshireBulls | ayrrugbyclub.co.uk Ayr Rugby Club Super6 Cross-border fixtures (season one) Millbrae Alloway, Ayr KA7 4PJ Saturday 25 April Saturday 16 May Media Contact: Callum Kerr | [email protected] | 07496 969232 Watsonians v Cardiff Southern Knights v Aberavon Heriot’s v Llandovery Boroughmuir Bears v Pontypridd Boroughmuir Bears v Merthyr Stirling County v Llandovery @muirbears | boroughmuirsports.co.uk Ebbw Vale v Southern Knights Cardiff v Ayrshire Bulls Boroughmuir Rugby and Community Sports Club Pontypridd v Ayrshire Bulls Merthyr v Watsonians Meggetland | 2 Meggetland Wynd, Edinburgh EH14 1XN Aberavon v Stirling County Ebbw Vale v Heriot’s Melissa Readman | [email protected] | 07400 592992 Saturday 2 May Saturday 23 May Watsonians v Ebbw Vale Southern Knights v Cardiff @HeriotsRugby| heriotsrugbyclub.co.uk Heriot’s v Aberavon Ayrshire Bulls v Merthyr Ayrshire Bulls v Llandovery Stirling County v Ebbw Vale Goldenacre | Bangholm Terrace | Edinburgh EH3 5QN Cardiff v Boroughmuir Bears Aberavon v Watsonians Amy Lane | 07367 358108 Pontypridd v Stirling County Pontypridd v Heriot’s Merthyr v Southern Kings Llandovery v Boroughmuir Bears @Sthrn_Knights | melroserugby.org Saturday 9 May Saturday 30 May Melrose Rugby Ltd. Watsonians v Pontypridd Southern Knights v Pontypridd Greenyards | High Street | Melrose TD6 9SA Heriot’s v Cardiff Boroughmuir Bears v Ebbw Vale Stirling County v Merthyr Ayrshire Bulls v Aberavon Mark Locke | [email protected] | 07718 424711 Ebbw Vale v Ayrshire Bulls Llandovery v Watsonians Llandovery v Southern Knights Merthyr v Heriot’s @StirlingCounty | stirlingcounty-rfc.co.uk Aberavon v Boroughmuir Bears Cardiff v Stirling County Bridgehaugh Park Causewayhead Road | Stirling FK5 9AP Welsh Media contacts: Oliver Thomson | [email protected] | 07798 748571 Aberavon [email protected] Cardiff [email protected] @WATSONIANFC | watsoniansrugby.com Ebbw Vale [email protected] Llandovery [email protected] Myreside Merthyr merthyr.rfc.wales Myreside Road | Edinburgh EH10 5BZ Pontypridd [email protected] Gary Heatly | [email protected] | 07811 467242

14 FOSROC Super6 Media Guide @Super6Rugby Super6Rugby.org 15 WATCH Super6Rugby live on

Ayrshire Bulls

One game broadcast live simultaneously on both Boroughmuir Bears scottishrugby.org and the BBC Sport Scotland website every FOSROC Heriot’s Rugby Super6 weekend. Plus a weekly highlights programme showcasing all fixtures on scottishrugby.org Southern Knights

Visit scottishrugby.org for more information Stirling County

Watsonians Rugby