ENRFC to Kick Off the Season in Style and Unleash a 3rd XV for the First Time in 20 Years
Hello Northerners,
As the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait. After months of preparation, the wait is finally over and the season gets underway on Saturday. It has been a hugely positive pre-season, with players and coaches putting in countless hours of hard work and commitment. Now comes the reward: the opportunity to take all that effort onto the pitch and put it into practice.
Penicuik RFC – 29 August 2026
A squad of 27 players featured against Penicuik, with all players receiving at least 40 minutes of game time.
The visitors built a commanding 40-17 half-time lead through a series of well-worked tries, backed by a strong set-piece performance. The lineout and scrum provided a solid platform throughout, while Connor, Ben Rutter, Felix and Ben Cowdy made significant gains with ball in hand.
Penicuik stayed in touch through an early score, an interception try and a well-executed set-piece move, exposing some defensive issues in midfield.
A complete change of the front row and backline at half-time ensured valuable minutes across the squad. Although the set-piece remained effective, the second half lacked the accuracy of the first, with several unforced errors leading directly to Penicuik scores.
Overall, the match delivered plenty of positives in attack and at the set piece, while also highlighting areas for improvement ahead of the season. Northerns' man of the match was everyone's favourite antipodean, Alistair MacDonald, who continues his farewell tour. Dick of the Day was Peter Cavens for his Penicuik try assist.
Leith RFC (A) – 5 September 2026
For Northerns 1st XV, the long-awaited return to East 2 begins with a short trip to Leith. Nestled in the shadow of Easter Road, Academy Park has been a historically happy hunting ground for Northern sides, but there will be no shortage of challenge from their hosts. Regular competitors in the division, Leith will be eager to make home advantage count and begin their own campaign on a positive note.
There is a real sense of optimism surrounding the Northerns squad heading into the new campaign. A strong core of returning players has been supplemented by impressive summer recruitment, adding quality, depth and competition throughout the squad. The result is a powerful-looking XV that has shown plenty of promise throughout pre-season.
With preparations complete and anticipation building, Saturday offers the perfect opportunity to lay down an early marker and begin life back in East 2 with a statement performance.
ENRFC 1st XV vs Leith: Smith, Barnard, Breslin (C), Shaw, Graham, Cowdy, Craig; Melsom, Brown, Fergusson, Rutter, Bairstow, Milligan, Williams, Forlow. Subs: Harker, Harper, MacDonald, Hotchkiss, Russo, Cavens, Flute.
Haddington RFC (H) – 5 September 2026
For Northerns 2nd XV, the new campaign gets underway on familiar territory as they welcome Haddington to Inverleith Park. Few fixtures on the calendar carry quite the same sense of familiarity, with the two sides having become well acquainted in recent seasons. Last year's encounters certainly favoured the home side, with Northerns recording two victories and a hard-fought draw across three meetings, though those results will count for little once the whistle blows on Saturday.
As with the 1st XV, an excellent summer of recruitment has strengthened the ranks considerably. The 2nd XV benefits from a blend of experienced senior players, whose presence brings quality and leadership, alongside a number of exciting new recruits who have added energy, talent and depth throughout the squad. The result is a powerful-looking side that heads into the new season full of confidence and promise.
ENRFC 2nd XV vs Haddington: McIntyre, Chambers, Murchie, Kitchin, Scully, Hannon, Forbes; Blackwood, Tierney, Buffey, Stuart, Shell, Clark, Thomson, Tenant (C). Subs: Taylor, Bourke, Reeve, Lobb, Mawdsley, Macken, Atraszkiewicz.
Penicuik (H) – 5 September 2026
We haven't been lying when we said recruitment has been good this summer. Northern had a remarkable 67 players available for selection this weekend and, as such, is in a position to field a 3rd XV for the first time since the mid-2000s. Penicuik's 2nd XV have kindly agreed to travel up to Edinburgh for what should be a great game. The fact that the club has the depth to name a fully functioning 3rd XV, props and all, is a testament to the quality and character of the club, it’s members and our ability to attract and critically retain players.
It's a strong squad, with a large number of familiar faces, including several former club captains, named throughout the side. Many have been stalwarts of the club over a number of seasons and bring a wealth of experience to the group. Not all that long ago, a team of this calibre would have been considered a strong 2nd XV, highlighting the healthy competition for places throughout the senior squad.
ENRFC 3rd XV vs Penicuik: MacKay, James, Stokes, O'Riordan, Sweeney, Craig, Denison-Parker; Leatham, Parkes, Rozhan, Dunphy, Brown, Faisal, Williams, McMahon. Subs: Miller, Anderson, Walker, Coughlan, Thompson, Younger, Moyo.
Recruitment Pub Crawl
Following the conclusion of our three fixtures, the club's attention will turn to another great tradition: the annual "recruitment" pub crawl. Departing from The Bunker at 6pm, six teams, led by a distinguished group of club stalwarts (and Saul), will embark on a tour of Edinburgh in search of prospective players. No stone will be left unturned and no hostelry unexplored as we seek yet more fresh talent for the season ahead. Anyone not involved in the day's rugby is warmly invited to join the cause and help swell the ranks of this fine club.
Enjoy your Friday afternoon, and we look forward to seeing you at Leith or Inverleith Park tomorrow.
Yours in rugby,
Edinburgh Northern RFC