GALA Head Coach George Graham has warned newly-promoted Selkirk they are set to endure a torrid time in the Premiership.

The two teams meet to kick off the new campaign at Philiphaugh on Saturday.

But, while the Souters went unbeaten in BT National League Division One last season, having beaten each of the other 11 teams in the league both home and away – the first time such a feat has been achieved in the division – the Maroons have stressed they won’t get it all their own way this year.

Looking forward to another tilt at the title, Graham told the Border Telegraph: “I’ve got the utmost respect for (Selkirk head coach) Peter Wright, he’s an excellent coach and I’m sure he will have his players ready for it. He’s coached in the Premiership before, and higher than that, so he knows what to expect. And I’m sure he will be conditioning his boys to expect a torrid time; I’m sure they will be ready for it.

“It’s another Border derby match and we’re looking forward to it as well. And it comes down to whoever wants it most on the day.” Gala lost their final warm up match at home to Hawick, 26-33, last weekend – despite leading 26-7 at half-time, while Selkirk defeated Kelso in the Border League, 27-11.

Graham revealed he is still rebuilding his squad after losing some key players last season and confirmed the club is in talks with players from overseas.

And he admitted a number of players from the club’s Seconds were also pushing for a place in the first team.

Graham said: “We’re still actively seeking other players right now and we’re speaking to a few players who could be coming from abroad.

“We’ve lost a hell of a lot of players over the last couple of seasons, including an entire front row - Rory Sutherland, Russell Anderson, Ewan McQuillin, Gary Graham, Tom Weir, Chris Auld, Grant Somerville. These have all been key players for us over the last couple of seasons and when you lose them they are hard to replace.

“But there has been a load of boys who have really stepped up today (against Hawick); a lot of them have been playing in the Seconds team last year and I think they have done really well.” Selkirk prop Kieran Cooney admitted the club, who return to the top-flight for the first time since the 2010/11 season, would not be able to go this season unbeaten – especially as only three of the team have played in the Premiership before.

He pointed out no-one would be able to take away what they achieved last year but insisted the players must put that behind them.

Cooney said: “It will be very difficult, we’re never going to replicate what we did last season for a number of years; it’s going to be very hard. But I think, what (captain) Ross Nixon said at the end there, last season is put to bed now – I think we don’t talk about the 22 wins again because that’s in the past and we’ve got to look forward.

“Our focus is Gala on Saturday and we’re just going to take it week by week. We’re excited, we’re back in the Prem One and all the boys are looking forward to making the step up, I think there are about three of them that have played Prem One. So I don’t think we’re going to think about the 22 (wins) out of 22 (games) ever again. We’ll just take each challenge as it comes.” Cooney admitted Selkirk had failed to reach their own high standards against Kelso last weekend – despite winning the game. However, he revealed they still had time to get things right before the new campaign kicks off in earnest this weekend.

“It wasn’t really a comfortable win,” Cooney said. “I think by our standards it was quite poor. The ethos and philosophy that Peter (Wright) has instilled in us wasn’t being produced. We are a week away from Prem One rugby and at the moment we’re not quite there. We are disappointed because we set our standards quite high. And even though we are getting a win, Kelso still caused us problems.” But he added: “The boys have got a big week of training so we’ll put to bed this week and focus on Gala for next week and come with the challenge that we prove we are a Prem One outfit.” The match between Selkirk and Gala at Philiphaugh on Saturday. Elsewhere in the BT Premiership, Hawick are at home to Melrose. Both games kick-off at 1.15pm.

And in BT National League One, Jed-Forest welcome Kelso to Riverside Park and Peebles are away to Watsonians.