Marr ready to take on big guns
Kevin Quinn says Marr are fired up for the challenge of their first ever season in the BT Premiership.
And the Fullarton president is proud that years of hard work have paid fruit by earning them a place in the game’s top flight.
On Saturday, Marr make their Premier bow when they head to Scotstoun to take on Glasgow Hawks with Anniesland out of action.
The 2nd XV and 3rd XV will be on home soil against GHK and Whitecraigs 2nd XV respectively.
Marr, who completed their warm- up with a 22- 7 win at Selkirk, have a host of new recruits and hope for the return of D’Arcy Rae via the Pro draft.
Quinn said: “We have recruited over the summer to cover for players who are unavailable through studying or who are moving on during the course of the season.
“We recognised we needed to strengthen and increase the depth of the squad for what we expect will be the most testing ever season for Marr and a punishing one physically for players at Premier level.
“Players, coaches and those behind the scenes have worked hard to get ourselves into this position but we are no illusions that we face our most challenging ever campaign. But we are dtermined to give it a go.
“It’s a whole new experience and a few years ago we could only have dreamed of playing at this level.”
Marr are boosted by BT Academy players Ross Jackson ( Biggar) and Kaleem Baretto ( Perthshire), both of whom have played at Scotland age levels.
Dougie Steele has returned from Boroughmuir while former Marr youth Richard Dalgleish is back after spending last season at Ayr.
Scrum- half Toby Buchanan, who has played in New Zealand, has joined and will give cover for Grant Baird who will study in Iceland.
Other new faces are Hawks back row man Ross Miller, second row South African Kyle Hatherell and Austrian Max Freydell who will be a direct replacement for Colin Sturgeon who is heading to New Zealand.
Admission for Premier games at Fullarton will be £ 10 but free for club members.
Quinn added: “We have a great support and encourage people to join and act as our 16th player so we can give a warm welcome when teams visit us during the season.
“We look forward to a challenging but exciting season. I think the importance of having three senior teams is reflective of our success.”