Mowi Premiership
Oban Camanachd v Newtonmore
Oban Camanachd welcome Newtonmore to Mossfield for their curtain-raiser.
The sides met twice towards the end of last season, each winning their home game 1-0.
Oban Camanachd are without Blair McFarlane who completes the rugby season with Oban Lorne, whilst Scott MacMillan starts a two-game ban. Former Oban Celtic player Jamie Forgrieve will have to wait for his competitive debut as he serves a one-game ban whilst Daniel MacCuish’s return from a season playing football with Oban Saints is a major boost.
Newtonmore’s Steven Macdonald begins twomatch suspension whilst captain Conor Jones is injured. Former Lochaber player Max Campbell will not play for ‘More this term.
aKinlochshiel v
Skye Camanachd Kinlochshiel take on promoted neighbours Camanachd in a west derby at Rèaraig.
Both teams have new additions, with new ‘Shiel boss Willie MacRae welcoming Oliver MacRae and Jonnie MacAskill back from a spell with Glasgow Mid Argyll. Rhuairaidh MacDonald had a brief stint with ‘Shiel in 2020 and he also returns, signing from Glengarry.
Skye also boosted their numbers during the close season with Sam Stubbs signing from Lovat and Kenny Cushnie from Lochcarron. However, Glasgow-based Will Cowie has joined Kyles, while Somhairle MacDonald and Chris Rose have retired. Skye boss Kenny MacLeod also has defensive concerns with John Gillies and Martin Pringle both out with ankle injuries. newly Skye coast
Glasgow Mid Argyll v Kyles Athletic
The high-point of Glasgow Mid Argyll’s 2022 season was their Glasgow Celtic Society Cup final win over Kyles Athletic at Peterson Park and the sides meet again at the same venue on the opening day of the new shinty season.
GMA have lost Oliver MacRae and Jonnie MacAskill whilst Kyles have added quality to their squad, capturing Will Cowie from Skye Camanachd and John Kennedy from Inveraray.
Caberfeidh v Lovat
It is a home competitive debut for new Caberfeidh manager Garry Reid as his side take on
Lovat at Castle Leod. Reid has added Connor Golabek (from Glenurquhart) to his squad but has concerns over keeper Iain McColl who picked up a back injury during the preseason.
Lovat manager Jamie Matheson will be keen to get off to a good start and he will keep an eye on Scotland forward Greg Matheson who is managing a hamstring injury.
It is Kingussie’s designated free Saturday, so newly promoted Beauly will have to wait a week to make their Mowi Premiership debut.
Andy Watt has replaced Ruaraidh Graham as Inveraray manager and his side take on Ally Ferguson’s Lochaber at the Winterton. Allan Cameron is the Inveraray club captain this year whilst Ross Montgomery is the first team captain. Allan MacDonald is suspended, while Coll MacKay is an injury doubt.
Lochaber are without Barry MacDonald who has moved abroad for a spell, but Stuart Callison has returned. are in action at Blairbeg. The sides played out a goalless draw at the same venue last June, although the Fort played most of the match with 11 players.
Skye Camanachd v Kinlochshiel
There is a reserve team west coast derby when Skye Camanachd and Kinlochshiel draw swords at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree.
It is a first season in charge for new Skye boss Willie MacDonald who takes over from Ally MacDonald. Mowi national under-14 player of the year Iain MacInnes will get plenty game time this season.
Ross MacMillan remains in charge at ‘Shiel.
Lovat v Inverness
The Lovat colts, beaten finalists in both the HIS Sutherland Cup and Strathdearn Cup last season, and the Inverness first team, who were runners up in Mowi North Division 1, take the field at Balgate.