View source for Stirling County RFC

{{Short description|Scottish rugby union club, based in Stirling}}
{{Infobox rugby team
  | teamname   = Stirling County
  | image      = Stirling county rfc logo.png
  | imagesize  = 100
  | union      = [[Scottish Rugby Union|SRU]]
  | fullname   = Stirling County Rugby Football Club
  | nickname   = County
  | founded    = {{Start date and age|1946}}
  | ground     = [[Bridgehaugh Park|Bridgehaugh]]
  | capacity   = 4,000
  | chairman   = 
  | ceo        = 
  | president  = John Gibson 
  | captain    = Reyner Kennedy
  | coach    = Eddie Pollock 
  | url        = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_County_RFC
 | league = {{color box|#DAEFF6|Men:}} {{Scottish rugby updater|Stirling}}<br/>{{color box|#DAEFF6|Women:}} {{Scottish rugby updater|WomenStirlingCounty}} 
| season = {{Scottish rugby updater|Stirling2}}
| position = {{color box|#DAEFF6|Men:}} {{Scottish rugby updater|Stirling3}}<br/>{{color box|#DAEFF6|Women:}} {{Scottish rugby updater|WomenStirlingCounty3}}
| pattern_la1    = _blackredhoops 
| pattern_b1     = _black_white_hoops
| pattern_ra1    = _blackredhoops
| pattern_sh1    = 
| pattern_so1    = _hoops_black_white
| leftarm1       = ffffff
| body1          = ff0000
| rightarm1      = ffffff
| shorts1        = 000000
| socks1         = ff0000
}}
'''Stirling County RFC''' is a Scottish rugby union club based in [[Stirling]]. The club plays its home games at [[Bridgehaugh]]. It runs a number of sides. The men's side competes in the {{Scottish rugby updater|Stirling}}, the women's side competes in the {{Scottish rugby updater|WomenStirlingCounty}}. 

Between the 2019-2020 and 2023-2024 seasons the club ran a men's professional side known as '''Stirling Wolves''' which competed in the [[Super 6 (rugby union)|Super 6]] league and Super Sprint competitions.

== History ==

During the season of 2004–05, Stirling County celebrated its centenary. Rugby has its origins in the town in the 1870s, resulting in the formation of Stirling HSFP in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The F.P. club joined the [[Scottish Rugby Union]] in 1904, hence the celebration of the centenary this season. In 1925, Bridge of Allan Rugby Club was founded with both clubs uniting in 1946 to form Stirling County.

While the team of 1959–60 went undefeated, it was not until the formation of the national leagues in the 1970s that Stirling had a springboard to success. Another vital factor was the creation of a strong and vibrant youth section at this time. In 1995, County achieved the unique distinction of being the first club to rise through the ranks from the depths of the seventh division and win the Scottish Championship.

Uniquely, the club played against the Barbarians at [[Stirling Albion F.C.]] home, Forthbank Stadium in 1995. The club has been prolific in producing a large number of age-group internationalists while senior internationalists who have worn County's colours include George Graham, [[Ally Hogg]], [[Ian Jardine]], [[Alastair Kellock]], [[Kenny Logan]], [[Kevin McKenzie (rugby union)|Kevin McKenzie]],  [[James McLaren (rugby)|James McLaren]],  [[Grant Gilchrist]], [[Adam Ashe]], [[Nick Grigg]] Jamie Bhatti and [[Finn Russell]].

In 2012–13, County recorded their highest league finish for 16 years, third place in RBS Premier One, and qualified for the cross-border British & Irish Cup competition for the second consecutive year.

Stirling County also has the most successful youth set-up, winning the Scottish National Youth League Cup more times than any other team,

Stirling County RFC compete in the Scottish Rugby Super Series as Stirling Wolves and represent Caledonia District in the competition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=     https://stirlingcounty-rfc.co.uk/}}</ref> In 2023, they became the last ever winners of the FOSROC Super Series Championship, defeating the Ayrshire Bulls in the final.

Stirling County 1st XV compete in National League Division 2 while the Wolves Second XV play in West Reserve League Division 1.

Stirling County's Women's play in the top-flight BT Women's Premier League.

==Current squad==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; width:70%"
|-
! colspan="100%" | Stirling Wolves Super Series Championship squad 2023:
|- valign="top"
|
'''Props'''
* {{flagicon|SCO}} George Breese
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Lliam Quarm
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Adam Wood
* {{flagicon|LIT}} '''Marius Tamosaitis'''
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Lewis Skinner
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Moby Ogunlaja

'''Hookers'''
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Reyner Kennedy ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Gregor Hiddleston

'''Locks'''
* {{flagicon|SCO}} James Pow
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Hamish Ferguson
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Tom Smith
||

'''Back row'''
* {{flagicon|ENG}} Ed Hasdell
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Ruaridh Knott
* {{flagicon|ENG}} Ed Timpson
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Connor Gordon^
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Shaun McDonald

'''Scrum halves'''
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Ben Afshar
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Eric Davey
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Kyle Mcghie
||

'''Fly halves'''
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Craig Jackson
* {{flagicon|CYP}} '''Marcus Holden'''

'''Centres'''
* {{flagicon|RSA}} Ryan Southern
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Mikey Heron
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Cameron Scott^
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Craig Jardine

'''Wings'''
* {{flagicon|NZL}} Korie Winters
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Samuel Rockley
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Stevie Hamilton
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Ross Mcknight

'''Fullbacks'''
* {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Glenn Bryce]]
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Euan Cunningham
|-
| colspan="100%" style="text-align:center;" | ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) denotes the team captain, '''Bold''' denotes internationally capped players. <br/> <sup>*</sup> denotes players qualified to play for Scotland on residency or dual nationality. 
|}

[[Glasgow Warriors]] players drafted:
* {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gregor Brown]]
* {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Logan Trotter]]
* {{flagicon|SCO}} Max Williamson

==Table==

{{2023–24 Super Series league table}}

==Sevens==

The club run the Stirling Sevens tournament. Teams play for the Dr. Welsh Cup. The tournament began in 1948, two years after the County side was created.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/stirling-sevens/|title=Stirling Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>

==Honours==

===Men===
* [[Super Series (Scottish rugby union competition)]]
** Champions (1): [[2023–24 Super Series]]

* Stirling Sevens<ref name="auto"/>
** Champions (12): 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2013
* [[Scottish Premiership (rugby)|Scottish Premiership]]
** Champions (1): 1994-95
* Hawick Wanderers & PSA Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/hawick-wanderers-psa-sevens/|title=Hawick Wanderers & PSA Sevens|date=June 29, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1990
* Lochaber Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/lochaber-sevens/|title=Lochaber Sevens|date=June 11, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1994
* Highland Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/highland-sevens/|title=Highland Sevens|date=June 10, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (5): 1982, 1983, 1984, 1993, 1996
* Arran Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/arran-sevens/|title = Arran Sevens|date = 10 June 2019}}</ref>
** Champion (2): 1994, 1996
* Mull Sevens<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/mull-sevens/|title=Mull Sevens|date=June 8, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (7): 1991, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2009, 2011
* Alloa Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/alloa-sevens/|title=Alloa Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (2): 1990, 1995
* Strathendrick Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/strathendrick-sevens/|title=Strathendrick Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (2): 1994, 1998
* Glenrothes Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/glenrothes-sevens/|title = Glenrothes Sevens|date = 7 June 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1983
* [[Earlston Sevens]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/earlston-sevens/|title=Earlston Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1995
* Ayr Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/ayr-sevens/|title=Ayr Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1987
* Kirkcaldy Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/kirkcaldy-sevens/|title=Kirkcaldy Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1984
* Currie Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/currie-sevens/|title=Currie Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1993
* Greenock Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/greenock-sevens/|title=Greenock Sevens|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (1): 1991
* Crieff Sevens<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/crieff-sevens/|title=Crieff Sevens|date=7 June 2019}}</ref>
** Champions (2): 2010, 2011

===Women===

* Mull Sevens<ref name="auto1"/>
** Champions (2): 2014, 2015

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}

{{SRU premiership}}
{{SRU Womens Leagues}}
{{British and Irish Cup}}
{{Rugby union in Stirling}}

[[Category:Rugby union teams in Scotland]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1946]]
[[Category:1946 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Stirling (council area)]]
[[Category:Sport in Stirling (city)]]