Heriot’s Rugby have helped scrum half Sinjin Broad and second row Jamie Campbell gain pro contracts with Rotherham and Chinnor respectively in the English Championship.
But the departure of the two young Scotland age-group internationalists has added to the feeling of coach Bob McKillop that opportunities will arise for other prospects at Goldenacre in the months ahead.
McKillop, back for a second year calling the shots after a distinguished spell in charge some years ago. says:
“If last season was transitional then the one ahead will be mini-transitional having managed to hang on to several talented youngsters.
“Also, Ruaridh Leishman retains the captaincy and he is a second row who is a master of line-out technique even though he comes across as so laid back. That’s a big plus.
“We’ll have around 50 players to call upon who have been training regularly and back up is good with our second team topping Division One of the inter-city league last year.
“Overall, though, Ayr are league favourites by a country mile.”
There is no escaping the fact that a shadow has been cast over Heriot’s rugby going into the latest campaign with the death of the club’s ex international prop, David Milne.
McKillop paid tribute to an individual universally hailed as one of life’s good guys by saying that in a rugby context he was formidable especially alongside his two brothers in the front row.
“Going back to when I was playing for Stirling County and was sat on the bench for a game against Heriot’s I looked out on the pitch, saw David, Kenny and Iain, performing and thought for perhaps the only time in my rugby life “I don’t know if I fancy getting off the bench to face them!”
