DEFENDING champions Selkirk will face near neighbours Gala in the pool stages of this year's Peebles Sevens.

And the hosts themselves face the might of Edinburgh Accies, as well as dark-horses Earlston, as they try to reach the knock-out semi finals stage.

The draw for the Saturday, August 5 tournament was made on Friday.

And it has thrown up some mouthwatering early ties.

Premiership sides Melrose and a new-look Hawick have been drawn together in Pool D along with sevens specialists Jedforest.

Biggar face the unenviable task of trying to get the better of both the current Kings of the Sevens, Watsonians, as well as recently promoted Kelso.

The full draw is...

Pool A Gala, Selkirk & Berwick

Pool B Peebles, Earlston & Edinburgh Accies

Pool C Watsonians, Biggar & Kelso

Pool D Melrose, Hawick & Jedforest

Following the pre-tournament lunches in the Gytes marquees, the excitement will begin with the opening tie of Gala v Berwick at 1.30pm.

Peebles will take to the field for the second tie at 1.48pm when they face Earlston.

And they will be followed onto the Gytes pitch by Biggar as they square up to the tournament favourites, Watsonians.

Melrose and Hawick go head-to-head at 2.24pm with the defending champions, Selkirk, tackling Berwick in tie number five at 2.42pm.

The final of the 2017 Peebles Sevens is scheduled to kick off at 6pm.