The Scotsman

County look to secure home match in play-off

- By DAVID OLIVER

Ben Cairns is seeking some home comforts on the road against Southern Knights tonight in Stirling County’s final regular season game in the FOSROC Super6.

With County already confirmed in the third-fourth placed play-off next week, the head coach is looking to end on a high and take third place and secure a home match in the post-season game.

The teams drew in Stirling on the opening weekendoft­heleaguese­ctionbut since then the Knights have surged to the top spots and willcontes­tthefinala­gainst Ayrshire Bulls next week.

However,cairnsisse­eking everypossi­bleadvanta­gefor his own team’s game next weekend.

"Knights are the only side we haven’t beaten this season, having drawn in round one, so there is a lot to play for at the Greenyards,” he said. “They have probably been the most consistent performers in the league this season and deserve their spot in the final.

“Ourthreewi­nsfromthre­e puts us in a great position to fight for that home spot in the third-fourth play-off.”

Cairns will cycle his backline against Rob Chrystie’s Knights with Marcus Holden and Craig Jardine coming in, and Grant Hughes moving to number nine.

Byron Bowes, fresh from winning the Varsity Match withstandr­ewsunivers­ity, will be among the visitors’ substitute­s.

For their last home game of the season, the Knights will be led by Grant Shiells at loosehead prop and Daniel Suddon starts as second row. FOSROC Scottish Rugby contracted academy player Jacob Henry returns to start in the back three with Iain Sim on the right wing.

 ?? ?? 0 Ben Cairns: ‘A lot to play for at the Greenyards’
0 Ben Cairns: ‘A lot to play for at the Greenyards’

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