Men’s Premiership final: Hawick look to complete double-double

It’s all come down to this – a final showdown at Mansfield Park awaits Hawick RFC and Currie Chieftains on Saturday.

The Men’s Premiership Final will see Hawick defending the Bill McLaren Shield for the third straight match after defeating previous holders Selkirk to win it; and defending it subsequently against Kelso and Currie.

Hawick have been Scottish Rugby’s champion club on 13 previous occasions. Meanwhile, Currie – who were only founded four years before Hawick won the first official league championship in 1974 – have won two championships, in 2007 and 2010.

Hawick RFC president Ian Landles thanked the travelling fans for the previous week’s support in the Scottish Cup final win over Edinburgh Academical at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

“Saturday’s Cup final was decidedly not for the nervous and far too close for comfort. The boys established a great lead then managed to hang on despite being about out on their feet. Edinburgh Accies deserve great credit for running the Robbie Dyes so close.

“A big thank you to all who made the journey… and to all who cheered us on from afar. The double-double, which this time round is actually a treble, is still very much on but an old and by now very familiar adversary stand in our way and have every intention of spoiling the party,” Landles said.

Currie Chieftains head coach Mark Cairns suggested this week’s selection has been tough, but he is happy with the strength of the squad.

“Some tough calls in the backs as Paddy Boyer and Callum Beckett miss out on starting positions but we expect them to make a big impact. Cammy Gray starts at 13 meaning DJ Innes and Jamie Forbes shifts to 12 and 10 respectively.

“Hawick got it spot on against us last time at Mansfield and it was a tough one to take having done well going into the wind. The boys have picked themselves up quickly and we’ve had the last couple of weeks to prepare for the match and put things right. Last year’s final came down to the final play and we are hoping to be in the fight right to the end,” Cairns said.