The 2023-24 season is almost upon us and the Haddington RFC senior squad have been preparing for their league opener this Saturday (2nd of September) against Portobello RFC at Neilson Park (Kick-off 3pm).

The squad have travelled to Dunbar RFC and East Kilbride RFC in pre-season friendlies as the seniors coaching team look to make some difficult selections ahead of the league opener.

Head Coach Clifford Livingstone is again supported by Rhodri Thomas as backs coach and John Gibson as forwards coach. We are also delighted to have ex-1st XV player, Ross Martin come onboard as our Strength & Conditioning coach and Colin Stuart (aka Chomp) as our Breakdown coach.

The coaching team have recruited well over the summer period, with experienced back-rower, Macauley Parker, making the switch from Lismore RFC and Bernard McCallum joining us from Murrayfield Wanderers FC. Clifford Livingstone stated: “It’s been fantastic to see new faces around the club over the summer and the new guys have settled in really well. As a squad everyone is buying into a style of play and what we want to achieve as a club. What is really pleasing for me, is that we have seen five graduates from our School of Rugby transfer into the senior squad as well.”

Another School of Rugby graduate, Paul McClung returns to the squad after a long-injury lay off, along with back-rower, Max McAlpine and Joshua Middlemass. We also welcome back ex-1st XV Captain, Garry Cockburn to the squad, who returns from long-term injury.

As with any new season, the following have moved onto pastures new, but we wish them all the best for the future: Oli Craig, Joss Arnold (both Musselburgh) and Rob Mcluckie (Dunbar).

Connor Munro maintains the Club Captaincy for a third term, Connor has proven to be a committed Captain, both on and off the field. Connor will be assisted Andrew Durkin as Vice-Captain this season.

As we look ahead to the season, the East League Division 1 will look different this year as both North Berwick and Ross High were promoted into National League Division 4 and as a club we are obviously disappointed to loose two local derbies.

This weekend we welcome Portobello RFC to Neilson Park (3pm KO). We are again at home on Saturday 9th of September as we host Broughton RFC (3pm KO).

We look forward to welcoming all Haddington RFC members, friends, families and supporters to Neilson Park this season. To all our visitors from far and wide, please feel free to sample some of our post-match hospitality in our welcoming clubhouse.