Jersey RFC v Ayr RFC British and Irish Cup

Scottish Champions Ayr Rugby Club has had a disappointing season by the high standards that they set themselves. A near perfect 2012-13 has become a distant memory of late, having lost their last two home games to title rivals Heriots and Gala. They are still only seven points off the top, but have played a game more and will need other sides to slip up if they are to have any chance of retaining their title. Head Coach Peter Laverie admits this season they have underperformed. ‘Our league form has been disappointingly inconsistent and yet there is still a chance depending on other results, so we will finish our campaign focussing on winning each game and see what happens. We also have the Scottish Cup to defend and our players are looking forward to that.’

Laverie has been surprised at the form of Jersey, who have won only twice (Pirates and Ulster) since the two sides met back in early October.  ‘I would have expected Jersey to win more games to be honest and to be above Moseley and Bedford in the table having watched them.’ Laverie continued, ‘You need to take your chances, and I guess Harvey Biljon will be looking to instil a consistency of performance having just taken over.’

Jersey were far superior in the pack in the last game at St Peter, but the amount of cards Ayr received, (and with two sent off) was hard for Laverie's side to take. ‘The cards were very frustrating and ruined the game a bit, which the Jersey supporters, players and coaches felt too. However, you just have to get on with it I guess.’

Despite this, Ayr was competitive right until the last five minutes, which pleased the Scottish coach. He firmly believes that tomorrow’s game is a chance to set the record straight after Jersey’s 28-16 win. ‘You don't get to win the league and Cup without being able to compete,’ he said. Despite it being a dead rubber, second place is there for the taking for Jersey and Ayr will be looking to avoid the ignominy of finishing last in a group dominated by Cornish Pirates.

Laverie was talking up his squad, and will be going all out to get the result with hopefully a few Pro-Draft players involved. ‘We will definitely be looking to win this return leg at Millbrae,’ he said. With Jersey very much on the up and with a few professional players joining the Scottish Champions ranks, Laverie is really looking forward to an entertaining game of free flowing rugby. ‘It could be a cracker,’ he stated. Laverie went on to say, ‘We had three Glasgow Warriors players at Pirates (Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown and Mark Bennett - two of whom were Ayr players.) We find out from Gregor Townsend who may be released, or not, in midweek. In our last game at Jersey we had no pro players in the squad. We will always play our strongest team and we're really looking forward to the game.’