Premiership Team-of-the-Week for Round One

JAMES FERGUSON’s solidity under the high ball and attacking flair during Musselburgh’s opening weekend draw with newly promoted Kelso earns him the full-back slot. Rory Steele didn’t cross the whitewash but he saved at least two tries and made numerous other key interventions for Heriot’s in their narrow home win over Marr so is on the right wing (with two-try Jake Jacobsen of Marr unfortunate to miss out), while Kody McGovern’s impact off the bench which featured a try and an assist sees him named on the left touchline.

Sam Graham of Glasgow Hawks and Neil Armstrong of Edinburgh Accies link up in midfield, while Jamie Loomes‘ composure and control for Edinburgh Accies in their comprehensive win at Jed sees him selected ahead of Currie Chieftain Matt O’Neill at stand-off.

Scrum-half was a tight-call between the hard-working and nuggety Andy Tait, who scored two tries for Kelso against Musselburgh, and live-wire Grant Baird of Marr, with the latter just edging it.

RWC23: Dave Cherry determined to make most of return to old stomping ground

RWC23: Ben Healy feels the benefit of Ireland to Scotland switch

Iain Morrison’s essential RWC23 pool guide – Pool C: The pool of maths, 3 into 2 does not go

In the pack, there is a familiar face at loose-head where the consistently high-performing Shawn Muir of Hawick is selected, while Archie Bogle‘s work-rate with ball in hand sees him named at tight-head  prop and Roy Vucago‘s destructiveness both sides of the ball earns him the hooker spot.

There was lots of competition in the second-row, with Hawick teenager Fraser Wilson – imported from Gala –squeezing selection alongside Struan Whittaker of Edinburgh Accies, just ahead of the powerful and abrasive Cammy Thompson who scored the try which hauled Kelso back into the game against Musselburgh.

In the back-row, the hard-working Rory Kirkpatrick of Heriot’s is at blindside, Sam Cardosi‘s link play and jackaling on debut for Currie Chieftains squeezes him in ahead of Calum Renwick (who was man-of-the-match for Hawick) at openside, and Bruce McNeil‘s leadership and never-say-die attitude gets him the No 8 spot just ahead of Hawick’s Jae Linton, Heriots’ Ali Johnston and Edinburgh Accie Jamie Sole.

15. James Ferguson (Musselburgh)

14. Rory Steele (Heriot’s)

13.  Sam Graham (Glasgow Hawks)

12.  Neil Armstrong (Edinburgh Accies)

11. Kody McGovern (Currie Chieftains)

10. Jamie Loomes (Edinburgh Accies)

9. Grant Baird (Marr)

1. Shawn Muir (Hawick)

2. Roy Vucago (Currie Chieftains)

3. Archie Bogle (Heriot’s)

4. Fraser Wilson (Hawick)

5. Struan Whittaker (Edinburgh Accies)

6. Rory Kirkpatrick (Heriot’s)

7. Sam Cardosi (Currie Chieftains)

8. Bruce McNeil (Kelso)

Iain Morrison’s essential RWC23 pool guide – Pool C: The pool of maths, 3 into 2 does not go