The new Ayrshire Bulls head coach Pat MacArthur says he cannot wait to get stuck into his first job in charge of the Super 6 side.

The Bulls were on the search for a head coach since the start of March when Peter Murchie left the team to become the assistant coach at the Glasgow Warriors.

Murchie achieved a lot at the club including leading the Ayr 1st XV to only their second ever double, winning the league and cup in 2018/19 season. Another key part of that side was MacArthur, who was the assistant coach during that triumph and during the Bulls first season in the Super 6.

MacArthur said: “The positive for myself is I have worked with a number of top-quality coaches.

“So, I have tried to take a little bit of what I like from every one of them, to then mould it and develop into the style of coaching I want to bring.

“The step up to head coach comes with a bit more pressure but that is not an issue for me, it should be an exciting time.”

MacArthur was at the club last season when they reached the semi-finals of the Super6 competition in its inaugural season, before it was then declared null and void due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Next season is due to kick-off on July 31, with MacArthur saying his side are due to return to touch rugby training this week.

“The players have been putting a lot of work in off-season to get themselves ready because it is going to be a relatively short pre-season.

“As of this week we are starting touch rugby, so we can start practicing our shape and preparing properly.

“Whilst all of this is going on the players are preparing their bodies for contact again which is something they have not done in over a year. “

A lot of the squad from last season has remained at the club despite the extended break in play, with MacArthur saying he believes he has a strong base at the club which he will improve with upcoming signings.

“We have a good core to our squad, a lot of local players and quite a few staying on from last season. There are also some signings coming in the next few weeks.”