AYRSHIRE BULLS head coach Pat MacArthur has named 11 new signings in his 34-man Super Series Sprint squad, ahead of next Friday night’s campaign opener against Glasgow Warriors A at Millbrae.
Among the recruits are former Scotland, Glasgow Warriors, Glasgow Hawks, Dalziel and Strathaven hooker Grant Stewart, who joins the Millbrae side after a stint with Connacht.
Former Scotland 7s cap Reiss Cullen has also been added to the squad, having previously turned out for FOSROC Super6 champions Watsonians, while homegrown Scott Watson graduates from the Ayr Club XV.
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Marr quartet Scott Clelland, Craig Miller, Blair Jardine and Grant Baird make the short trip from Fullarton Park to Millbrae for this Sprint series, wingers Luca Bardelli and Amena Caqusau make the slightly longer trip south from Braidholm after impressing for GHA this season, Scotland under-20s centre Kerr Yule joins from West of Scotland, and utility-back Anthony Fitch has made the move from Bournemouth Rugby where he played last season alongside former Ayr scrum-half Harry Warr.
The following players have departed the squad –
- James Malcolm – has returned to the states to resume his MLS career.
- Michael Scott – Has moved to Australia.
- Ali Rogers – Long-term injury.
- Gavin Wilson – Retired due to work commitments.
- Jordan Lenac – Currently playing in Portugal.
- Cam Jones – Announced in Heriots squad.
- Will Hunt – Returned home and is currently playing in England.
- Aaron Tait – Has moved away from Ayrshire.
- Liam McNamara – Currently playing for Ireland 7s.
Ayrshire Bulls’ 2023 Super Series Sprint squad –
Props – Andrew Nimmo, Calvin Henderson, Craig Miller, Jamie Drummond* and William Farquhar
Hookers – Alex McGuire, Grant Stewart and Scott Clelland
Second-rows – Edward Bloodworth, Ewan Bulger and Rory Jackson
Back-rows – Archie Smeaton*, Blair Jardine, Blair Macpherson (CAPTAIN), Lewis McNamara, Ryan Sweeney and Tim Brown
Scrum-halves – Ben Afshar*, Grant Baird and Reiss Cullen
Stand-offs – Christian Townsend*, Frazier Climo and Richie Simpson
Centres – Andy Stirrat*, Bobby Beattie, Chris Elliot and Kerr Yule
Back three – Amena Caqusau, Antony Fitch, Eli Caven, Jamie Shedden, Luca Bardelli, Scott Watson and Thomas Glendinning.
* denote Scottish Rugby academy players
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How does 36 year old Fraser Climo fit the descriptor for the type of player that is supposed to be given opportunities at Super 6 , absolute nonsense and yet another example of Ayr’s “ liberal “ interpretation of what Super 6 is actually for.
Yet again Ayr, by picking messers McPherson , Climo etc pick a squad designed to win a meaningless trophy rather than giving exposure to young aspiring players.
There must surely be some young aspiring West coast players worthy of an opportunity before these guys …
Should the make up the Ayr sqaud be everyone under the age of 20 to please you GRob? Blair Mcpherson has been a standout in the Super 6 and Fraser Climo brings a wealth of professional experience from New Zealand, Wales and also the club scene in Scotland.
They’ll bring invaluable experience to the younger guys in the team and also be a great challenge to a young player playing against them.
These young guys that are going to be playing super 6 this season could be stepping straight into URC in the next year or so. I’m sure they’ll face bigger challenges than Blair or Fraser Climo.
Teams need a variety of experience and youth to be successful. Often younger players relish the challenge of facing a more experienced veteran of the game rather than one of their peers.
Looks like another sore one for Marr.
Not bad, going from playing West Region 2 in December to signing a part-time professional contract in March – is this some sort of record.
And Murrayfield claim Club rugby is not fit for purpose (without ever defining what that purpose is).
Frazier Climo .
Is he a long term project player ?
Ayr / bulls have contributed well to the pro game and hopefully will continue to do so.
Very interesting to see Llanelli have withdrawn from next seasons Welsh premiership to concentrate on development in the new comp from 24/25.basically a super 8 between the club and pro game.
Perhaps the union are ahead of the game and with some joined up thinking and improvement push on to better things