Southern Knights hail fresh support for Super6s

Borders representative side Southern Knights will hopefully face Ayrshire Bulls, Boroughmuir Bears, Heriot’s Rugby, Stirling County and Watsonians once again.

FOSROC will also be the title sponsor to the ‘Sprint Series’, a shortened Super6 tournament this autumn, which will give the franchise teams a chance to play competitive matches before a full Super6 fixture card can resume in the spring of 2021.

Southern Knights head coach Rob Chrystie said the most important thing was, hopefully, something tangible for the players.

“I think some have gone without rugby for the best part of a year,” he said. “To actually have something to push towards and work towards is a positive. FOSROC coming on board is definitely well received in today’s climate, as are all sponsors.”

There were still restrictions on how they could train but at least something worthwhile could be done with the players, said Chrystie, adding that rugby players needed a structure in their lives.

How easily the Knights could recapture good form remainded to be seen, he added.

“It is a sprint competition, so that definitely gives it a different dynamic,” said Chrystie. “It gives it a different dynamic – if you’re not good to go, the chances are you’ll be left behind.”

“It brings a different challenge,” added Chrystie. “We have been used to playing 35 games in a season in the past, when at Melrose. “It’s quite refreshing and it has different pressures.”

Chrystie added there would be a few tweaks to the squad but the Knights had retained all the players they wanted to.

“It’s a good sign that boys want to be involved in the competition and involved with Southern Knights,” he said.

The FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series will see Ayrshire Bulls, Boroughmuir Bears, Heriot’s Rugby, Southern Knights, Stirling County and Watsonians compete in a six-week competition.

Each team will play each other once, with a final weekend when the first placed team will host second, third will host fourth and fifth will host sixth.

This shortened tournament will also be supported by a series of video magazine programmes hosted by legendary former Borders player and Scottish international Chris Paterson.

The Southern Knights are due to begin their campiagn on the weekend of October 31 with a home game at The Greenyards against Ayrshire Bulls.

Scottish Rugby’s FOSROC Super6 On-Field Lead, Sean Lineen said: “This is a great opportunity for all FOSROC Super6 squad players to return to competitive rugby and will provide much needed game time for a number of Scotland U20 players.

“It’s fantastic that FOSROC is once again supporting the Super6 programme. In doing so, it helps to support in bridging the gap between the amateur and professional game.”

FOSROC CEO Ian Watt said: “We are delighted to continue our support of the FOSROC Super6. A significant number of young players were provided with the opportunity to play part-time professional rugby in year one, we look forward to seeing the tournament develop over the next couple of years.”

Scottish Rugby’s head of commercial, Al Kellock, added: “We are delighted FOSROC is extending its partnership over the next two years, as well as, continuing to support our FOSROC Academies, especially in these challenging times. Scottish Rugby and FOSROC share a goal to create as many opportunities to develop young Scottish players both on and off the park as possible and we look forward to working with Ian and his team.”