Bulls out to make fans proud in clash of the titans

THE two dominant sides in this year ’s Super6 Championship meet in t he tournament final at the DAM Health Stadium this evening with table-toppers Watsonians facing second- placed Ayrshire Bulls (4.45pm kick-off).

Both sides won nine and lost just once, in their away matches against each other, during the league section of the campaign, before Watsonians despatched Heriot’s and Bulls saw off

Boroughmuir in last weekend’s play-off semi-finals.

Bulls were the 2021 Super6 Championship winners, while Watsonians triumphed in the Spring Sprint Series, so this really is a clash of the titans who really have set a high bar in terms of fulfilling the league’s primary function of providing a stepping-stone between the club game and Scottish rugby’s pro tier.

The concern for Super6 as a competition is that this pair are so far ahead of the rest. Bears and Heriot’s have hinted at being competitive on occasions during the last three months, while Southern Knights and Stirling Wolves really struggled.

But this evening is an opportunity to showcase what the league can look like at its best, with both sides naming fairly settled line-ups.

Watsonians – who collected two more bonus-points than today’s rivals – are boosted by the return on the wing of their top-try scorer Angus Guthrie, who missed the Heriot’s win through injury. Rory Brand swaps in for Murray

Scott at scrum-half and Kwagga van Neikerk comes in at blindside flanker.

“The Bulls are a formidable opponent and have been the form team in the latter rounds of the Championship,” said Watsonians head coach Fergus Pringle. “They have a strong set-piece, very good defence and a contestable kicking game, while they also have dangerous players that can capitalise on any turnover transition opportunities.”

Bulls are also boosted by the return of a wounded soldier with

Ed Bloodworth back in the second row, while teenager Richie Simpson retains the No.10 jersey ahead of Glasgow Warriors contracted player Will Hunt.

“With numerous buses making the trip from Millbrae to Murrayfield we want to do our supporters and ourselves proud,” said Bulls head coach Pat MacArthur.

In the Premiership, Hawick kept their noses ahead in the title race with a 17-8 win at Selkirk, while Musselburgh picked up their first victory over last season’s champions Marr.