Shield build-up far from ideal as Greens go to Carnoustie
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Head coach Cameron Boyd admits preparations have been less than ideal for the Greens' third-round National Shield tie in Carnoustie.
They go into Saturday's clash on the back of just one outing in 2024 – an 18-17 Caley 1 North Conference home defeat to Highland 2nd XV.
Caithness have managed to find themselves in the last 16 of the cup competition without playing a game.
A first-round bye was followed by a walkover when Ellon scratched from the tournament after their request for a league/cup double header in Thurso was knocked back by the Greens.
Carnoustie, who edged out Hillfoots 27-25 in the second round, finished fourth in Caley 1 Midlands Conference.
Boyd said: "The preparations have not been great, given all the games that have been called off.
"It's very frustrating for the guys, some of whom take a lot of their annual leave so they can make games that end up being cancelled."
Assessing his side's prospects, he said last year's league restructuring makes it difficult to gauge the worth of Carnoustie's mid-table finish in their conference.
"What I've seen in a couple of videos is them having a big, physical, direct pack," he said. "We just have to go down there expecting that it is going to be difficult and that we'll need to put in our best performance to get a win."
Personnel-wise, back Cameron Ryder is on holiday with his wing berth likely to be filled by Max Kennedy.
Centre Douglas Webster is a doubt, while Boyd is waiting to hear from several players who could be ruled out with work commitments.
Prop Ally Williams will travel if he recovers from a hand injury he sustained in the Seconds' away win over Orkney 2nd XV.
Boyd said: "We should have a pretty decent squad and playing in the cup will hopefully give them an extra lift."
Caithness and Carnoustie are just two of four Caley 1 outfits left in the National Shield.
That representation will drop to two as Grangemouth, third in the Midlands Conference, entertain North Conference victors Moray.
Former Caithness rugby stalwart Colin Sangster has been reappointed to lead Caley Reds in their defence of the Scottish inter-district championship.
The north district prevailed last year which saw the revival of the end-of-season showpiece for amateur players after a long absence.
Sangster played a major role in the development of the game in the far north before moving in 2015 to join Dundee Rugby.
Now director of rugby at the club, he will have the same support team with the Reds.
They are Kevin Wyness (Highland/GHA), Junior Bulumakau (Highland) and Sam Mountain (unattached).
Sangster said: “We are delighted to announce our 32-man squad. There are quite a few returning players from last year but we have included several new players this season, from all over the region, giving them an opportunity to show what they can do at this level."
He added: “To be included in the squad is a reward for high levels of performance at club level, and it’s up to the players to push on and challenge themselves in the competitive environment of district rugby.”
Among the newcomers is Orkney hooker Scott Rendall, who wins the call-up after impressing for his club in National Division 3.
Former Caithness stand-off Liam Brims, who was one of the stars in last year's triumph, is sidelined with a long-term foot injury.
Another former Green, Stuart Kirk, who plays centre for Dundee, narrowly missed out on selection.
Caley open their defence away to Glasgow on March 23. They then travel to meet Edinburgh on March 30 before hosting the South at Canal Park, Inverness, on April 6.
