Pringle expects players to take exhibition seriously

THE curtain will be brought down on the 2022 Super6 Sprint Series at Millbrae this afternoon when a Glasgow Warriors ‘pro-aligned’ side takes on their Edinburgh counterparts in a one-off exhibition match

Series Champions Watsonians are, perhaps predictably, the biggest contributors to the Edinburgh squad with nine players (seven starters and two replacements) involved, while Heriot’s have six (three starters and three replacements),

Southern Knights has four

(three and a replacement), and Boroughmuir Bears contribute four guest players (two starters and two replacements).

“The pressure has been off this week and our squad have enjoyed two pretty light sessions together, getting to know each other and putting some plans in place for the game,” said Watsonians head coach Fergus Pringle, who is overseeing the Edinburgh side alongside Bruce Ruthven of Southern Knights.

“Things will definitely get more serious on Saturday when players pull on the jersey and will want to represent themselves, their clubs and the East team well, with a performance they can be proud of.”

Meanwhile, the Glasgow-aligned squad have 10 Ayrshire Bulls (six starting and four on bench), eight Stirling County players (seven starters and one replacement) and five Boroughmuir Bears (two starters and three replacements).

“There is a really good mix of youth and experience within the squad and we have been delighted with how the group has come together this week,” said Stirling County head coach Ben

Cairns, who is overseeing the west side alongside Pete Horne and Graham Shiel.

“As with touring, representative weeks are always very special and this week has been no different. These players have deserved the opportunity to represent Glasgow off the back of a successful FOSROC Sprint Series and we are all really looking forward to them pulling on the jersey on Saturday.

“Saturday’s match gives the players another chance to get in the shop window and we’ve tried to ensure we create a game plan which allows them to make the most of this.”

Edinburgh J Jenkins; B Wara, N Godsmark, D Coetzer, A Cross; J Baggott, R Brand; H Courtney, M Liness (c), A McWilliam, J King, F Hastie, K van Niekerk, W Nelson, K Main. Subs C Fenton, C Keen, M McGinley, S McGinley, G Nelson, J Gelderbloom, G Cannie, R Chalmers.

Glasgow L Trotter; E Caven, M Gray, R Beattie, A Tait; M Holden (c), R Swan; G Breese, J Blyth-Lafferty, M Scott, R Jackson, A Sinclair, L McNamara, C Gordon, B Grant. Subs J Drummond, C Smith, C Henderson, J Fisher, T Andrews, E McAra, L McNamara, S Hamilton.