British & Irish Cup draw revealed

Ayr have been drawn in Pool 6 of the British and Irish Cup alongside Cornish Pirates, Ulster Ravens and Jersey RFC.  Getting back into this exciting and highly competitive competiton was a great highlight of the remarkable previous season, and Ayr will look forward not only to travelling to Cornwall, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands but welcoming their pool opponents to Millbrae, with one familiar face knowing the Alloway-based club better than others.  Nick Campbell, a former EDP for Glasgow Warriors who played in the second row for Ayr last season, has joined Jersey RFC for the new season, and he's sure to get a warm reception when he returns.

Find the fixture dates here.

Read the full story here.

Ladies' Lunch

The eighth Ladies' Lunch will take place at Millbrae on Saturday 31st August, to coincide with Ayr's first home game of the season against Melrose.  This increasingly popular event promises good food, good entertainment, good company and, of course, great rugby, and is in aid of this season's charity Thyroid Cancer Survivors. 

Tickets are £35, which includes complimentary bubbles on arrival, a two course meal and a glass of wine.   Places and tables are already being snapped up, so book now to avoid disappointment.  Contact Eilidh Rankin (eilidhr@hotmail.com or 07879671272) for tickets and more information.

Robbie returns for Scots at JWC

Ayr's Robbie Fergusson returns to the Scotland under-20s line-up at the Junior World Championships as they take on Samoa on Sunday.  The two sides will fight it out in Nantes in a ninth/tenth place play-off.  Robbie starts the Scots' final match of the competition at full-back, whilst his former Millbrae team-mate Mark Bennett retains his spot at inside centre after an outstanding performace against USA.

Read the full story here.

Ladies rugby beginners' session

After a great first season, Ayr Ladies Rugby are recruiting for the new session.  They're putting on a beginners' session for anyone interested in joining the team or just keen to get some exercise in a fun, friendly atmosphere, on Thursday 27th June, 6pm, at Rozelle Pavillion.

Mark Bennett scores 22 points in U20s win over USA

Former Ayr wunderkind Mark Bennett put in a sterling performance at the Junior World Championships in France last night.  Bennett was captaining Scotland under-20s as they faced USA in Nantes to try and ensure their place at next year's competition.  His former Millbrae team-mates Robbie Fergusson and D'arcy Rae were absent from this tie, but the young Scots beat their opponents 39-3, with Bennett racking up 22 points from two tries, two penalties and three conversions.  The win puts them through to a ninth-place play-off with Samoa on Saturday.

Read the full story here.

Robbie Scores in Scotland U20s victory against Samoa

Young Ayr star Robbie Fergusson scored the final and crucial try in yesterday's thriller against Samoa at the Under 20 World Cup in France. Robbie started at inside centre for the U20s in the latest of some impressive performances in this tournament following his fine League and Cup double winning exploits at Millbrae. Surely he must be considered for a place in the SRU Academy as an Elite Development Player?

Gordon Reid called up to Scotland squad in SA

Former Ayr favourite Gordon Reid is on his way to South Africa to link up with the Scotland squad.  Gordy was on the bench for Scotland during the Six Nations but never gained a cap, so fingers crossed he gets the chance to shine in the dark blue this time round.  Fellow former Millbrae man Pat MacArthur sustained a knee injury just five minutes into his international debut against Samoa last weekend, and will play no further part in the quadrangular tournament.  We wish him all the best in his recovery.

Read the full story here.

Robbie & D'arcy start for Scotland U20s

After a tough opening loss to Argentina in the Junior World Cup, Scotland under-20s have promoted Ayr's Robbie Fergusson to the starting line-up for Sunday's match against Wales in Nantes.  He links up with former Millbrae man Mark Bennett at centre.  Current Ayr player D'arcy Rae retains his place in the front row.

Read the full story here.

D'arcy and Gavin become Glasgow EDPs

Ayr's teenage stars D'arcy Rae and Gavin Lowe have been named as two of the 25-strong National Elite Development programme for the new season.  The prop and full-back join nine others at Glasgow Warriors, including Ayr's Finn Russell and George Hunter, who continue in the programme.

Read the full story here.

Pat MacArthur to win first Scotland cap

Former Ayr player Pat MacArthur will run out in his national colours for the first time on Saturday when Scotland take on Samoa in Durban, South Africa.  The Glasgow Warriors hooker is one of three new caps, with fellow Warrior Alex Dunbar and Edinburgh's Greig Tonks also making their debut.  A huge congratulations to Pat from everyone at Millbrae!

Read the full story here. 

Wednesday's Herald also has an interview with Pat, which can be read here.

Club clean-up days 29th and 30th June

Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June have been scheduled as clean-up days at Millbrae.  As many volunteers as possible are needed to assist with tidying and sprucing up the club.  We would also like donations of anything you can spare, such as paint, wood stain, electrical items, pressure washers, fencing etc. 

A barbecue will be put on too, as well as some fun and games along the way. 

If you are not able to make these days, but would still like to help, please contact us via our Facebook page and we can arrange other days for odd jobs to be done. 

Please spread the word and do all you can to help the club get ready for the season ahead.

Finn thriving in New Zealand

Ayr and Glasgow Warriors' fly-half Finn Russell is enjoying his time in New Zealand on the John Macphail Scholarship.  He's currently playing for Lincoln University, and has been voted their most valuable player twice in the last three weeks.

Read the full story here.

D'arcy starts, Robbie on the bench for U20s

Ayr's young prop D'arcy Rae will start for Scotland U20s in their Junior World Cup clash with Argentina tomorrow in Nantes, France.  He's joined in the starting line-up by former Ayr favourite Mark Bennett, and current Millbrae man Robbie Fergusson takes his place among the substitutes.  Good luck to them all!

Read the full story here. 

Club Awards report in the Scotsman

Ayr's assistant coach Peter Laverie spoke to David Ferguson of the Scotsman at last night's Scottish Club Rugby Awards Dinner at Murrayfield, mulling over the extraordinary season.  Ayr's head coach Kenny Murray missed the awards do as his wife Kirsteen gave birth to their second daughter the day before.  Congratulations to them!

Read the full article here.