In January, the Scottish government announced a £752,500 boost to support "grassroots rugby", but Border clubs say they knew nothing about the hand-out until earlier this week when a local MSP appealed to clubs to apply for support.

Youth development officer for Gala, Ian Millar, told TheSouthern: "It's a bit worrying that we didn't even hear about it until this week. But any money is welcome.

"We need more to progress rugby in the Borders especially without having the backing of a pro team now.

"Brian Renwick (regional development officer) does a great job in getting extra funding and he's done a lot to promote the game in the Borders, but I don't think the funding that should be there is actually there for the right things.

"What we need is long-term planning that will secure the future of youth development posts rather than year-by-year funding. You don't get that in any other business."

Commenting on the grant, sports minister Stewart Maxwell said: "With youth participation growing, there is a real appetite for rugby among young people in Scotland.

"This investment will support the sport at a regional level and capitalise on this growing interest. It will also help talented young players to continue in the sport and provide a welcome boost to the senior game."

And last week, local MSP Christine Grahame, convener of the Scottish Parliament's health and sport committee, said she would be writing to all Border clubs urging them to make use of the additional support provided by the recent funding boost.

"Rugby is a major part of Borders life and is very much part of the Borders regional character," she said. "The additional funding will enable individual player development, referee recruitment, coaching support and other areas of club development."

Currently, the SRU funds youth development posts in various Border towns, working to promote the game in the region.

Millar continued: "If there was more money available, we could do a lot more. In the Borders, the numbers playing are high, all the schools and clubs that could be putting teams out are and I'm pretty happy with the way things are going.

"At Gala, we work with 11 primary schools in the area and run regular rugby festivals at Netherdale, but without the sponsorship and backing of local groups and businesses, none of that would be possible.

"SRU do contribute to development posts and we appreciate that, but long-term security is what's really needed, not top-ups each year."