We Can Ignore S6A3 Real Action Is Back

REAL rugby, with apologies to the Galway-bound Warriors, cranks into top gear this afternoon, with the first full Saturday of club rugby. And I, for one, will welcome back what looks like being – barring an unexpected outbreak of reality-biting at BTMurrayfield – the first and only season of the Tennent's Premiership.

 

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I don't care that it was never “fit for purpose” as a means of preparing players to hold a tackle bag for the professionals, it has always worked in its primary role, of deciding which is the top club in Scotland, and I see no need to change this for the bourach of franchises.

The opening round of fixtures plays out as follows:

Currie Chieftains v Boroughmuir; Edinburgh Academical v Ayr; Glasgow Hawks v Heriot's, Hawick v Melrose; Watsonians v Stirling County.

Match of the Day, for me, is the Malleny Park clash of Currie, who are several knowledgable pundits' pick as potential Champions, against their near-neighbours, who have recruited strongly over the summer and looking for the consistency which was missing last season. However, Currie have also strengthened and will surely again be in the mix at the sharp end – unless of course, coach Ben Cairns' rumoured mid-season switch to Stirling County, in preparation for Stupid-6 next season, actually happens, and the wheels come off the bus.

Promoted Edinburgh Accies have a home start, against an Ayr team shorn of several long-standing players, but, with some exciting, new young talent in their ranks. This one will, I feel, be tight.

Hardest match to call is probably the Borders Derby between Hawick and reigning Champions Melrose, at Mansfield. The 'Rose has been pruned of several regulars of their recent successes, with Rob Chrystie giving some of his bright young guns a chance to show what they can do. Hawick beat them last time out, and, notwithstanding some disappointing warm-up results, will feel they can win again this afternoon.

Disgracefully shunned in the pauchle that was the S6 bidding process, Hawks will be looking to make the case for Glasgow rugby when they begin life at their new Balgray home, against a Heriot's team seeking to recapture past lustre. Jason Hill is back for the Nails, will be he as-influential as he was first time round? And, will the Hawks' youngsters be up to the task. I will see for myself, because this is where I am going today.

Finally, much is being expected of Watsonians, who kick-off at home, against Charity Shield winners County. I expect this might be the highest-scoring game of the day.

IN NATIONAL League 1, the match which catches the eye is the Southside Derby, for the Billy Barnes Cup, between GHA and Cartha-Queen's Park, at Braidholm. GHA took possession of the silverware when it was first contested last season, and they will be hoping to use home advantage in today's first leg, to help them keep possession.

Elsewhere in the National Leagues, surely a Lucky White Heather prize is in order for Caithness. After their tremendous achievement in gaining National League status last season, they were surely worth an easier baptism than having to make what is perhaps the longest trek in all the leagues, to face Newton Stewart in their first match. Good luck guys. Good luck too to Carrick, who visit Haddington.

I will be keeping a close eye on Tennent's West Regional Division 1 this season, since that's where my beloved Cumnock will be playing, following their promotion at the end of last season.

They kick-off up at Fort Matilda, against Greenock Wanderers, who welcome back Brendan McGroarty from Hawks. We have five Ayrshire clubs in this division, with one of them, Garnock, welcoming Allan Glen's to Lochshore in what looks like being that division's match of the day, although, you might argue that tag could just as easily be put on the Irvine v Kilmarnock clash at Marress.

Given the number of aged reprobates who have played for both clubs, the Marress bar might be a place to avoid tonight. Ach! Who am I kidding, enjoy the craic boys.

Finally, a regular commenter on here has issued a challenge, which I am happy to take up. Should anyone spot either: The Fat Controller, The Thin Controller or the Lesser-Spotted Johnson at a club game today – please let me know. We must log these rare sightings when they happen.

 

THE GUINNESS PRO14 kicked-off last night, with Edinburgh losing narrowly, 13-17 to Ospreys, for whom George North had a dream debut with two tries. Ospreys have certainly recruited well over the close season, so, a losig bonus point defeat was not a bad result from Edinburgh's visit to Liberty Stadium.

This afternoon, the attention switches of Glasgow Warriors, who are on familiar first day ground – the Celtic League fixture computer appears to have Connacht v Glasgow Warriors as its default Round One setting. Dave Rennie's men kicked-off with an excellent win in Galway last year, the start of a terrific run, which had them assured of a semi-final in record time.

Then, the wheels came off their bogie, and, after a poor European campaign, and, not least after Edinburgh won the 1872 Cup, Glasgow were suddenly being questioned. They have lost ground to their capital rivals, sudenly bragging rights have to be restored.

Glasgow did not suddenly become a bad team. I still fancy they will be at the sharp end of things in the PRO14 all season, and I also expect them to do better in Europe, when the time comes. Of course, they will miss Finn Russell, but, they have the talent to compensate for even the loss of him and Dave Rennie has certainly named a strong team for this afternoon's opening.

The Warriors squad, as ever here in 1-23 order is:

Oli Kebble, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray; Rob Harley, . Callum Gibbins (Co-Captain), Ryan Wilson (Co-Captain); George Horne, Adam Hastings; DTH van der Merwe, Peter Horne, Nick Grigg, Tommy Seymour; Stuart Hogg.

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Alex Allan, D'Arcy Rae, Adam Ashe, Chris Fusaro; Nick Frisby, Alex Dunbar, Niko Matawalu.

That squad looks good enough to win in Galway, but, it will not be a foregone conclusion.

Glasgow has the following players unavailable due to injury: Brian Alainu'uese (back), Matt Fagerson (thigh), Siua Halanukonuka (foot), Sam Johnson (head/knee), Huw Jones (wrist), Lee Jones (achillies), Kiran McDonald (hand), Ali Price (groin) and Tim Swinson (lower limb).

 Sam Thomson - has a big game today

AND finally, good luck today to former Scotland age group cap and Glasgow Hawk then Warrior Sam Thomson, who will be packing-down in the Warringah Rats boiler-room for their Shute Shield Grand Final, against Sydney University.

There ought to have been two Scots in action for the Rats, but, former Ayr and Warriors partnership player Ruaridh Mackenzie, son of former Selkirk and Scotland prop Gregor, picked-up an injury a couple of games ago and misses out on the big match.