The Ayrshire Bulls will travel to Jersey to take on Jersey Reds, in the final weekend of March as part of our pre-season preparations for this seasons FOSROC Super6.
It will be the first time an Ayr side have played the Reds since a trio of matches that saw Ayr RFC play in 2014 & 2015, with the fixture enabling the home side to bridge the gap between the conclusion of the RFU Championship season and Championship Cup matches scheduled for April and May.
Jersey Director of Rugby Harvey Biljon said: “It will be great to welcome Ayrshire Bulls to Stade Santander International – we are looking forward to the challenge of taking on a team whose last match was a cup final win.”
Bulls Head Coach Pete Horne said:
“Everyone at the Bulls is excited to test ourselves against some quality opposition. We have an aspirational squad and competing against a full-time professional outfit who are flying high in the Championship will motivate the boys to bring out their best and help us prepare for the new season.
“It will also be a great chance for our guys to enjoy each other’s company for a couple of days somewhere slightly warmer and sunnier than the west coast of Scotland!”
The fixture will throw up some familiar faces; two members of the current Reds squad, Steve Longwell and Tom Everard, formerly played for the Bulls, as did Jersey Reds Athletic prop Ewan Davies.
The fixture is sure to be a great occasion as previously, the Reds and Ayr RFC were paired in the 2013/14 British & Irish Cup, with the Reds winning 28-16 on home turf but the Scots taking revenge with a 14-13 win at Millbrae. In August 2014 Ayr visited Jersey again for a pre-season match which resulted in a comfortable win for the Island side.
The fixture on Saturday March 26th will kick off at 3pm, with ticket details to be announced shortly. For full fixture information, including the Championship Cup, click HERE.