MARR, from Troon, who are on the brink of promotion to the Premiership, will kick-off the Aberdeen Asset Management Melrose Sevens on Saturday, April 8.

It will mean an early start for the cross-country travellers as they face Kelso in the opening tie at 11.30 a.m.

The draw was made in the Greenyards clubrooms ahead of the BT Cup semi-final against Stirling County on Saturday when eight sides were seeded: Melrose and Watsonians, first and second in the Kings of the Sevens last season, Jed-Forest, Edinburgh Accies and guest sides GSI (under Richie Gray), who replace Western Province, Co-optimists, Harlequins and Sweden.

“It is a very exciting draw and there will be some great ties,” said President Trevor Jackson.

The draw is:

Marr v Kelso, winners v Watsonians;

Currie v Gala, winners v Jed-Forest;

Glasgow Hawks v Stirling County, winners v Edinburgh Accies;

Hawick v GHA, winners v. Harlequins;

Stewart’s Melville v Selkirk, winners v. GSI;

Dundee HSFP v Ayr, winners v Melrose;

Boroughmuir v Peebles,winners v Co-optimists;

Heriot’s v Falkirk, winners v Sweden.

Gala kick off the Kings of the Seven series on Sunday followed by Melrose, Hawick, Berwick, Langholm, Kelso, Earlston, Selkirk and Jed-Forest. The Peebles tournament was played in August.