Line-up and new format unveiled for Peebles 7s

Gala take on eventual winners Watsonians in last year's 7s event at Peebles (picture by Alwyn Johnston).

And one of the best of these is the Peebles Sevens – an early-season taste of top action from the shortened game before the action picks up regularly again in April and May to see who will be crowned Kings of the Sevens.

News that the format of the 2019 tournament was due to be discussed by the Border League clubs has been followed by confirmation that this contest will be the first to feature pools of 12 players per team, as opposed to 10, in addition to the use of rolling substitutes.

In the meantime, the draw has been made for the Peebles competition at The Gytes on Saturday, August 4 . Games are as follows:

Pool A – Selkirk v Gala, Selkirk v Melrose, Gala v Melrose.

Pool B – Watsonians v Hawick, Watsonians v Jed-Forest, Hawick v Jed-Forest.

Pool C – Biggar v Edinburgh Accies, Biggar v Heriot’s, Edinburgh Accies v Heriot’s.

Pool D – Peebles v Kelso, Peebles v Berwick, Kelso v Berwick.

Top Borders sides will be combining with some of the best from Edinburgh and the Lothians to serve up what will hopefully be a superb day of rugby.

Watsonians won the 2017 event at Peebles, defeating Gala 31-14 in the final, and went on to win the overall tournament, successfully defending their 2016 title.