The Offside Line Podcast

A short sharp pod to start the week with Barney and Burnsy catching up to celebrate two bonus-points wins on the road for the Scots teamson the opening weekend of the URC ... and four Irish defeats!Meanwhile, how much should we read into Arnold Clark Men's Premiership champions Ayr suffering their first league defeat in just short of two years against Heriot's at Goldenacre?Congratulations to Garioch whose perseverance in the Arnold Clark Women's Premiership was rewarded with a first win of the season over Cartha Queens Park on Saturday, but it was a disappointing afternoon for Scotland Women who couldn't build on a positive first half against Australia and ended up slumping to a third defeat in as many weeks at Hive Stadium.Finally, the boys reflect on the gut-wrenching news that Ally Donaldson – a Currie Chieftains and Scottish rugby legend – has passed away on Sunday evening following a short illness, aged just 60.

With the URC kicking off this weekend, Barney and Burnsy popped into the Edinburgh Rugby offices at Murrayfield to catch up with the club's managing director, Doug Struth, for a wide-ranging chat. Including: David Nucifora's role in recruiting three Australian assistant coaches this summer, why Jamie Ritchie heading to Glasgow was a surprise but not a disaster and the importance of A team games.There has been 60 percent turnover in rugby-facing staff over the summer, and Struth says there is a fresh buzz about the club ... but will that be evident against Ulster on Friday night?

Some huge games on the menu this weekend with Heriots' trip to the Greenyards to take on Melrose in a clash of two of the form teams in the league perhaps match of the day, although the basement battle between Edinburgh Accies and Glasgow Hawks could also be a gripping encounter.Barney, Stuart and Robin get together to look ahead at another exciting weekend of action in the top flight of men's club rugby in Scotland, and they also hear from Stirling County head coach Bob Mckillop

Burnsy is on a mini-tour of the UK this week but has found the time to catch up with Barney to digest last weekend's Arnold Clark Premiership action and to discuss the importance of Murrayfield showing a bit more love and respect for this top tier of the club game in Scotland as it needs to be an essential step in the performance pathway for the long term health of the game.The boys are also joined by Stuart Bathgate to catch-up on Scotland's WXV campaign, which kicked off with a heavy defeat to Canada at Hive Stadium on Saturday. Dave Butcher's side appear to be low on confidence but is there light at the end of the tunnel?This podcast is sponsored by Kudos Sports Services.Kudos Sports Services supports grassroots and community sports clubs with the work that happens off the pitch. From funding applications and sponsorship to club development, governance and project planning, Kudos helps clubs turn ideas into practical, fundable projects. If your club needs support to become more sustainable or develop its next project, visit kudossportsservices.com or follow Kudos Sports Services on LinkedIn.

Unbeaten sides Currie Chieftains and Melrose meet at Malleny, Hawick head into the lions den to face Ayr at Millbrae, Kelso are missing their two co-captains for a tough trip to Goldenacre to take on Heriot's, GHA and Edinburgh Accies each hunt their first win of the season at Braidholm and the guys anticipate a tight clash at Balgray when Glasgow Hawks host Watsonians.Meanwhile, National One is shaping up a real battle, with every team capable of beating any other side in the league ... apart from Stirling County, maybe?And there's a top of the Arnold Clark Women's Premiership table clash at Bridgehaugh with Stirling County hosting Watsonians, and both teams coming off big wins last weekend.This week we’re sponsored by Sterling Sinclair Group. As the undisputed masters of the Scottish self-storage and removals industry, the Sterling Sinclair Group delivers a complete one-stop shop experience across the nation. Through their strategic facilities – Perth Self Store, Edinburgh Self Store, and Stirling Self Storage – they provide secure, flexible space for every need. This expertise is seamlessly supported by Sterling Sinclair's premier fleet of 19 specialist vehicles, ensuring professional packing, removal, and shipping services. Furthermore, their Hiab Container Scotland division completes their comprehensive service by expertly selling and moving shipping containers throughout Scotland. Find all the details at sterlingsinclairremovals.co.uk which includes their storage options. https://www.sterlingsinclairremovals.co.ukhttps://www.hiabcontainerscotland.co.uk

Barney and Burnsy are joined by Eric Jones to discuss all the latest in the men and women’s Premierships, which included some major blow-outs on the scoreboard. They also examine Edinburgh and Glasgow’s pre-season games and preview a daunting WXV campaign awaiting Scotland. This week we’re sponsored by Sterling Sinclair Group. As the undisputed masters of the Scottish self-storage and removals industry, the Sterling Sinclair Group delivers a complete one-stop shop experience across the nation. Through their strategic facilities – Perth Self Store, Edinburgh Self Store, and Stirling Self Storage – they provide secure, flexible space for every need. This expertise is seamlessly supported by Sterling Sinclair's premier fleet of 19 specialist vehicles, ensuring professional packing, removal, and shipping services. Furthermore, their Hiab Container Scotland division completes their comprehensive service by expertly selling and moving shipping containers throughout Scotland. Find all the details at sterlingsinclairremovals.co.uk which includes their storage options. https://www.sterlingsinclairremovals.co.ukhttps://www.hiabcontainerscotland.co.uk

Barney, Stuart Cameron and Robin Purdie reconvene to digest the first round of Arnold Clark Men's Premiership action last weekend, and to look ahead to round two, with match of the day likely to be Currie Chieftains and Heriot's at Malleny Park, with both sides coming off big wins last time out and keen to press their credentials as the side who can break Ayr dominance of the league in recent seasons.There's also a humdinger of a clash on the cards at Mansfield Park where Hawick will look to bounce back from their opening round walloping at Goldenacre to extend their impressive winning steak at home against Kelso into a 40th year.This episode is supported by PhiiT Limited and their app, PitchsidePal. If you've ever played club rugby, you'll know the drill – the coach is texting players at midnight about who's available, players are waiting to find out if they're cleared to play, and someone's injury notes are on a piece of paper that's about to go through the wash. Sara Marshall has been there as a physio – at Edinburgh Uni, Watsonians and Lasswade – and she built PitchsidePal to sort it out. It's a single platform for physios, coaches, and players to manage injuries, clinic bookings, return-to-play dates, and communications, all in one place, designed specifically for the amateur game. If your club needs to get organised book a meeting or demo with Sara now through phiit.org.uk. Act now to use code PRESEASON26 for 5% off your first year's subscription before 30th September.

Hello Offside Liners and welcome to season 3! Barney and Burnsy get back on the horse after a restful summer and are fired up and ready to go. This week they discuss the first round of the Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership and chat with Eric Jones ahead of the opening round of the Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership this weekend.This episode is supported by PhiiT Limited and their app, PitchsidePal. If you've ever played club rugby, you'll know the drill – the coach is texting players at midnight about who's available, players are waiting to find out if they're cleared to play, and someone's injury notes are on a piece of paper that's about to go through the wash. Sara Marshall has been there as a physio – at Edinburgh Uni, Watsonians and Lasswade – and she built PitchsidePal to sort it out. It's a single platform for physios, coaches, and players to manage injuries, clinic bookings, return-to-play dates, and communications, all in one place, designed specifically for the amateur game. If your club needs to get organised book a meeting or demo with Sara now through phiit.org.uk. Act now to use code PRESEASON26 for 5% off your first year's subscription before 30th September.