Bulls Name First Three Signings
The Ayrshire Bulls are delighted to unveil their first three signings ahead of the 2020/21 FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series later this month.
(Image - George McMillan)
Headlining the trio is the return of Tom Lanni, who signs from top English School Sedbergh. The former Ayr/Wellington Youth product made his Club XV debut last season and returns home to join the Bulls.
Second row Ed Bloodworth joins from Yorkshire Carnegie, who were in the English Championship last season.
Elias Caven also joins from down south, having played for Hartpury RFC and represented England Students.
Peter Murchie had the following to say on the appointment of his first three players:
Tom Lanni: "It's great to have Tom join the team. He had a great experience at Sedbergh in what is a quality set-up and I am looking forward to seeing how he develops".
Ed Bloodworth: "Ed picked up plenty experience in the Championship last year and is a hard-working second-row who is great in the line out. He has fitted in well in training".
Elias Caven: "Elias has come through the Hartpury system which is one of the leading in England. He is a quick and powerful back-three player who can make things happen. Again he has fitted in well and I look forward to seeing how he develops".
(Left to Right: Ed Bloodworth and Elias Caven)
Allanvale named Bulls Front-of-Jersey Sponsor
Ayr Rugby is delighted to unveil land development experts Allanvale as the front-of-jersey sponsor for the Ayrshire Bulls.
The three-year deal was launched at Auchincruive Estate, which Allanvale recently purchased with ambitious plans to transform the land. Pictured below is Director Jim Kirkwood (middle) alongside Ayr Rugby General Manager Glen Tippett (right) and Bulls forward Blair Macpherson (left).
Speaking at the launch Jim Kirkwood expressed his delighted to get the deal sorted ahead of the FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series next month: “What attracts us the most to the Ayrshire Bulls is their integration with the local community. They’re a part-time professional, FOSROC Super6 club, so they have a high profile and we’re looking to support that and for Allanvale to be as much a part of the club as we can be over the coming three years.
“Allanvale Land primarily focus on the development and promotion of strategic land and large development sites across Scotland. We are currently working on projects from Ayr all the way through Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Edinburgh.
“We are really looking to expand the business over the coming years”.
Speaking on the current redevelopment of Auchincruive Estate, Jim said: “This is one that is held firmly in the hearts of all employees and directors at Allanvale. It is a 300-year old estate originally designed by Robert Adam.
“We are the new guardians of it, and we are looking to redevelop it for residential, leisure and business use. We want to make it something that’s a real pride of the community in Ayr”.
Glen Tippet was equally delighted with the news and is excited to see the relationship between Allanvale and the Ayrshire Bulls grow over the coming seasons: “We are delighted to welcome Jim and the team at Allanvale to our growing family of sponsors and partners. The success of Ayr Rugby has always been built on strong local community partnerships that help us through. Having Allanvale, another local brand, onboard with us reinforces the support we have in our local community – we couldn’t be happier.
“The Ayrshire Bulls is a key part of Ayr Rugby and is the stepping stone for those players who want to progress onto professional rugby. Just like the other FOSROC Super6 teams we are preparing well for the Sprint Series and looking forward to getting back playing.
“When the time is right, I look forward to welcoming Jim and the Allanvale team to Millbrae”.
To find out more information on the work Allanvale are doing, visit: www.allanvale.co.uk
(All photos are credited to George McMillan)
Kitchen Pens Partnership Deal with Edinburgh
Congratulations to Hooker Sam Kitchen who has signed a partnership contract between Edinburgh Rugby and the Ayrshire Bulls. The move will see him join the capital side and be released to the Bulls when available. He becomes the second player to join Edinburgh this week after Marshall Sykes was unveiled on Monday.
Kitchen, 26, joined the Bulls last summer from Australian outfit Northern Suburbs and went on to top the FOSROC Super6 try-scoring table in its' maiden year.
The partnership contract was agreed with Edinburgh prior to the lockdown protocol in March.
Reflecting on his time so far, Kitchen said: "I have loved playing in Scotland this season. Coming over from Australia where the rugby is so much more open and expansive compared to here has been a big change for me but a great team environment and having Pat (MacArthur), a former test hooker, coaching has really helped me adjust and further my set-piece development".
All at Ayr Rugby and the Bulls wish Sam the best of luck in his next steps and look forward to welcoming him back to Millbrae in the future.
Cross-Border Cancelled
Scottish Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union has today announced the cancelation of the 2020 Cross-Border competition between Scottish and Welsh club teams, due to the current restrictions and health advice around Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The Ayrshire Bulls were set to compete in the competition commencing on Saturday 25 April, alongside the five other FOSROC Super6 teams and six Indigo Group Premiership teams from Wales (Cardiff, Llandovery, Merthyr, Ebbw Vale, Aberavon and Pontypridd).
All twelve teams were to play three home fixtures and three away fixtures over a consecutive six-week period in what would have been the first edition of this new club competition.
Scottish Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union are committed to the competition moving forward, with discussions between both unions looking ahead to next season.
Ayrshire Bulls C.E.O Billy McHarg, said: “We are disappointed the tournament is not taking place as the club was very excited to be playing in it…
“However, every individuals welfare is of more importance and we wholeheartedly support the decision to postpone for this year”.
Millbrae closed until further notice
Following on from the club’s statement last Friday, Ayr Rugby have proceeded with the closure of all facilities at Millbrae in-line with government guidance on Coronavirus (Covid-19) and Scottish Rugby’s suspension of all rugby activity.
This is uncharted territory for the club and we are working hard to ensure the safety of all players, staff, sponsors and fans. We appreciate everyone’s understanding during this time.
This will result in immediate cancellation of any on-field activity, closure of club bar and denied gym access.
Ayr Rugby are monitoring both government and Scottish Rugby advice daily. We will strive to keep you informed as and when new information becomes available to us. We will update you on reopening dates when we can.
If you have any queries please direct them to [email protected].
Thank you all for your support during this time.
Photo - George McMillan
Rugby Suspended
Scottish Rugby have released a statement suspending all domestic competitions and training from Sunday 15 of March at 18.00 until, and including, 29 March.
This is uncharted territory for all parties involved and we are working together to ensure the safety of all players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and fans. We appreciate everyone's understanding during this time.
Scottish Rugby's decision comes in light of government restrictions on public gatherings due to rising concern around Coronavirus (Covid-19).
This will impact rugby in all domestic league and cup fixtures, training, festivals and other rugby events as well as the FOSROC Super6 tournament, which come under Scottish Rugby's jurisdiction.
During this suspension period Scottish Rugby will undertake further assessment and advise on any further action that may be required. The Ayrshire Bulls Play-Off Semi-Final against Heriots Rugby next Sunday will therefore be affected.
The Scottish Rugby Age-Grade Programme (male and female) will also be cancelled with immediate effect for the remainder of the season. This includes all training sessions that were planned for the age-grade teams as well as all other age-grade internationals for the rest of the season.
Gordon Reid Departs the Bulls
Ayrshire Bulls prop Gordon Reid has joined English Premiership side Northampton Saints with immediate effect.
He joins the Saints for the rest of the 2019/20 season and is available for selection for their next match. The 33-year-old has played an integral role in the Bulls securing a FOSROC Super6 semi-final.
Last August Reid was unveiled as the Ayrshire Bulls first signing ahead of the inaugural Super6 season. The following month he was selected in Gregor Townsend’s Rugby World Cup squad where he went on to feature in all four of Scotland's matches.
In November he agreed a partnership contract between the Bulls and Glasgow Warriors. He leaves both sides to head south of the border.
We wish Gordy all the best at Northampton and thank him for his services.
Semi-Final Confirmed!
The Ayrshire Bulls' FOSROC Super6 Play-Off Semi-Final against Heriots Rugby has been scheduled for Sunday 22nd of March at Goldenacre, kicking off at 14.00.
The fixture was previously announced for the weekend of Friday 20th and has been pushed back to Sunday 22nd for television coverage. The match will be live-streamed on Scottish Rugby TV and the BBC Scotland website.
The winner of the semi-final will go on to play the winner of Watsonians v Southern Knights at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday 28th of March. The final will kick-off at 19.20 and you can secure your tickets online now at scottishrugby.org.
Annual Pink and Black Awards Dinner
This year's annual Pink and Black Awards dinner will take place on Saturday April 4th at the beautiful setting of Ayr Racecourse. The night gets underway with a 19.00 arrival for a 19.30 start. Guests will be treated to a delicious three-course meal, live entertainment and the 2020 awards ceremony.