BRUCE RUTHVEN will replace Rob Chrystie as head coach of the Southern Knights Super6 franchise. He will step up from his current role overseeing the Melrose ‘Club XV’ in National One at the start of January, ahead of the latest instalment of the semi-pro league which is expected to kick-off towards the end of the Six Nations.
Ruthven is former captain of Melrose and turned out 196 times for the club, and is currently full-time rugby coordinator at Erskine Stewart’s Melville College in Edinburgh. He previously coached Watsonians during the 2019-20 season, has held various Scotland age-grade coaching roles and is a UKCC Level 4 qualified coach.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of the Head Coach role with the Knights,” said Ruthven. “It’s an exciting time for the franchise with new beginnings and I’m sure everyone is gunning for the start of the season. I have really enjoyed my time with the Club XV and Storm at Melrose Rugby and I’m confident we will see continued development from these players in the future.
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“I will be moving on from Stewart`s Melville College also which has been a great institution to be involved with and has given me a lot of great memories.”
Rob Moffat, who is Co-Director of Rugby at Melrose, added: “Bruce knows how the club operates, but also has experience in a variety of roles which will give him the experience to take on this job.
“We will give him all the support he requires to build and develop the Knights and we look forward to next season when FOSROC Super6 returns.”
Melrose Rugby has appointed Robert Grigg as interim head coach of both the 1st XV and Storm until the end of this season. Grigg is currently part of the coaching team, and Berwickshire and Duns Youth Development Officer.
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L duho what do you know about Scottish rugby!.Super six is run by the sru not the the clubs.The concept at the start sounded feasible 6 semi pro sides bridging the gap between club and pro rugby.Thats where it ended coaches are hand picked and placed by the sru.The players are shipped in from all corners of the globe.Then there are a hand full of club franchise boys and a few from other clubs.Just look at ayrshire bulls team this season. 3 ayr boys and another 2 from glasgow clubs played in the final same story just a different day.
You can nearly pick a XV who have appeared for the Southern Knights who started at clubs other than Melrose. Ok, so some of them played for Melrose, before the Southern Knights, but most of those noted would probably still say their first loyalties were to their clubs of origin. So the door looks open to me…
F Thomson Gala
P Anderson Berwick
N Godsmark Selkirk
A Mitchell Hawick
I Sim Duns
L Herdman Kelso
N Obody
G Shiells Kelso
F Renwick Hawick
E McQuillin Gala
D Suddon Hawick
D Redpath Hawick
H Borthwick Berwick
I Moody Berwick
R Anderson Langholm
Sadly I doubt whether facts will silence those with anti-Melrose agendas.
Who,s all signing for the southern knights for next season ,that may shut up the doubters
How many wasps ?
Matt – he was a traitor and went to the money at Melrose! 😜
Be fair – they do include Darnick and Gattonside!
Southern Knights is supposed to be for all Borders area .
So why is it nobody other than ex Melrose players get a look in when positions are to be filled .
That’s what alienates borders people from this franchise club .
It’s all Melrose Melrose Melrose .nobody else matters
Come of it – the guy he’s succeeding is a Teri.
Coached Melrose
Judging by the thumbs up there’s many agree with me on this
And many who don’t!
Not long before he will be parachuted up the coaching ranks of Scottish rugby at the expense of numerous better coaches. Look how many previous Melrose connected coaches now have jobs up the ladder…..they cannot all be good!!
Many better equipped coaches at less fashionable clubs doing outstanding jobs but never get a look-in…..and do not get me started on the number of players ignored at other clubs that have more than enough ability to go much further. That’s the SRU for you though!!
Utter and complete nonsense.
Seriously 😂 Should your name not be dafty instead of daffy? Shows how much you know about it all….wee tad jealousy coming through 🙄😂
This forum is for comments and opinions .
That is my opinion .you obviously don’t agree .that’s fine .
But name calling is getting personal ..
If you say that again I’ll get my big brother to box your ears