GALA’S former Young Player of the Year Gregor Mein has signed for Border rivals Jed-Forest.

The Riverside Park side have recruited a number of new players for the National League campaign. They kicked off their season with a defeat to Premiership side Melrose in the Border League on Friday.

Welcoming his arrival, Jed coach Jammy McFarlane said: “We are trying to maintain a position in at least the top 20 of Scottish rugby. It’s becoming increasingly difficult, especially in the Borders where we have four Prem One clubs. The first place that they are looking to recruit tends to be the other three in league below.

“Jed, Kelso and Peebles are all under a bit of pressure in terms of people liking our players. Those clubs are trying to build something for themselves to at least maintain (their position) but even go up like Selkirk did last year.

“Tonight (Friday) was a real test of our depth because we’ve got two or three backs who didn’t play and we’re probably missing four or five forwards.

“We’re quite a young side but we’ve got a couple of South Africans coming and we’ve signed a prop/hooker from Manchester. They will give us a bit more size and power.”