MELROSE back row Andrew Nagle was awarded man of the match in the Border League final by Edinburgh Rugby and then confirmed his future is at the Greenyards.

While he has seen teammate Damien Hoyland win a professional contract with the capital club this season, he revealed he was excited by the prospect of a new Super League in Scotland.

And, despite their bloodied battles over the course of the current campaign, he hopes Gala will join Melrose in the new set-up, which is currently on hold.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph following his side’s defeat to Gala in the Border League final at Berwick last Wednesday night, Nagle said: “I’m very pleased to get man of the match but just gutted about the result.

“To be fair, first half I don’t think we were really in the game, they (Gala) controlled the ball really well. We took our chances but they controlled the tempo and possession.

“Even in our 22 we couldn’t get the ball off them. We couldn’t slow them down, they were very good in the contact, very strong. Fair play to them they were better team on the day.” When asked where his future lies, Nagle said: “I think my future lies at Melrose. I think it’s a club going forward, especially with what the SRU are looking at with the eight Super teams, so hopefully Melrose and Gala will both be a part of that.” Meanwhile, Melrose vice-captain Graeme Dodds admitted Gala deserved their victory in the Border League final at Berwick. He was forced to watch the match from the sidelines after picking up an injury at the Gala Sevens.

Dodds said: “It was a good game of rugby but Melrose were never really in it. Gala came hurting tonight and wanted to get some silverware on the board. Melrose, when they did have the ball, were pretty inaccurate. It was just one of those games where everything went right for Gala and didn’t really work out for Melrose.

“I’m bitterly disappointed not to come away with another trophy but I think Gala deserved it over the 80 minutes.”