Scotland International Pat MacArthur has been appointed as the Ayrshire Bulls, Head Coach for the 2021 season. This comes after previously being an assistant coach for the Bulls, inaugural season and Ayr 1st XV when the club most recently won the Premiership and Cup double in 2019.
Pat started his playing career at Ayr as a junior and made his way to the 1st XV, where he was part of the club’s first-ever winning Premiership squad in 2009. He gained Scotland U18/19/20 and Scotland Club XV honours before taking a full-time contract with Glasgow Warriors. Over the next 10 years, Pat made 165 appearances for the Warriors. He made his full international debut with Scotland in 2013.
On his appointment, Pat said, “This is a real honour for me. The club has been a big part of my life for a long time. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to be Head Coach of the Ayrshire Bulls. I’d like to thank Pete Murchie. It was great working with him and Glen Tippett as part of the coaching team when we won the double for the club.”
“I really enjoy supporting the development of players and those around me. I’m very excited about some of the players we have signed and looking forward to getting back to training. Because of the pandemic, life has been a real challenge for everyone recently, but I’m very confident that the Ayrshire Bulls are in a good place and we will be ready to go for the upcoming season. I want us to play an exciting brand of rugby that spectator’s, supporters and sponsors can be proud of”.
Ayrshire Bulls CEO Billy McHarg said, “I’m looking forward to the upcoming season. Under the new leadership of Pat and his exciting new coaching team I’m sure we will do well”.
Ayrshire Bulls, squad and team management announcements will be made over the coming weeks.