Hawick, Melrose and top flight newcomers Selkirk will all benefit from a change in protocol which will see all 72 professional players with Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors allocated to clubs in Scottish Hydro Electric Premier One for the forthcoming season.

The agreement was finalised after discussions involving the pro-team head coaches, Andy Robinson (Edinburgh) and Sean Lineen (Glasgow Warriors) and Scottish Rugby's high performance and community staff.

Allocation of players was carried out using an American type drafting process and as the runners-up in last season's Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division Two, Selkirk had first pick of the pro players. Selection then continued in turn up to last season's champions Boroughmuir, with each club choosing one player in turn.

Although Selkirk voted against the fielding of professional players in Premier One, having gained promotion from its policy of nurturing local talent, the majority of clubs voted in favour at the meeting.

Selkirk president, George Thomson said that the allocation did not mean that there will be a semi-professional outfit at Philiphaugh this coming season.

"The lads who earned promotion will still be very much in the running for places as the availability of several of the professionals is likely to minimal," he said.

Although each of the local clubs were allocated six pro players each, it will be highly unlikely that they will benefit from the playing services of most of them. However, the linkage is expected to enhance the profile of the clubs and will assist in some meaningful capacity to help the local players develop.

One of the most interesting allocations was that of Gala's record-breaking stand-off Chris Paterson being allocated to local rivals Hawick, who also snaffled Melrose centre Calum Macrae from his home club.

Hawick president Terence Froud told TheSouthern: "We got more or less what we wanted from the allocations although we aren't likely to see many of them playing at Mansfield Park.

"Saying that, it is up to us to use them in some capacity whether it be to join in coaching sessions or to appear at corporate functions, and it will be good to have all six players at the club at some point during the season.

Melrose director of rugby Mike Dalgetty added: "We were allocated pro players last year, although not as many, and realistically we would only look to field them three or four times throughout the season.