With last season’s Edwin Garrett Player of the Year Rory Sutherland signing a two year professional contract with Edinburgh during the summer, and Players’ Player of the Year Craig Borthwick ruled out with a hand injury until Christmas, the former Scotland star is now facing a selection headache ahead of the curtain going up on the new season this weekend.

However, with a squad of 38 players to choose from for his side’s friendly win over Boroughmuir at Netherdale last weekend, a mixture of first and second team players, he revealed the gaps left in his first 15 would give others a chance to step in and impress.

When asked what he made of McQuillin’s move to Melrose after the Greenyards side pipped Gala to the Premiership title on the final day of last season, Graham said: “I’m disappointed that he’s done that. I spent the best part of five years giving him my knowledge and he has turned his back on the club.

“But it’s one of these things, if he doesn’t feel happy here, then he needs to go somewhere where he thinks he will be happy. It’s entirely up to him.

“We’ve been speaking to a lot of players but for whatever reason they’ve decided to go where they want to play and that’s up to them.

“Craig’s injury is another big blow but Chris Weir had a bad hand injury last year which gave Craig his chance so we’ve got a few people who can cover these positions.” And he added: “We’ve held on to basically the same squad and we’re going to be working hard to try to get what we missed last year (the Premiership title).” While Gala also have injury worries over brothers Craig and Gary Robertson, they have welcomed back captain George Graham, who missed the end of last season through injury.

And young star Ruairi Howarth, who made his first team debut in the Border League Cup Final victory over Melrose last season, has been tipped to make the step up this season.

Gala return to competitive action when they tackle Peebles in Border League at the Gytes on Friday night, kick-off 7.30pm. They then face Jed at home the following weekend (August 23) before travelling to Ayr for their league opener on August 30.

Graham, who this year is supported by new backs coach Chris Dalgleish after Scott Nichol stepped down, said: “It was bitterly disappointing to lose to Ayr (at the end of last season) but they played very, very well that day. I think the nerves and maybe the occasion got to us and we just didn’t perform but we’ve hopefully learned from that experience and put it into this year.” Elsewhere, this weekend, Selkirk and Melrose meet at Philiphaugh in the Border League on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

It will be Head Coach Peter Wright’s first competitive game in charge of the Souters who looked sharp in their friendly win over Preston Lodge last weekend.

Selkirk’s pre-season build-up has received a significant boost with the arrival at Philiphaugh of back row player Jordan McGowan.

The 27-year-old has, until now, been playing his rugby for Saffron Walden in the London 2 North-East division, but having just married Lisa Gray from Lindean - sister of Selkirk RFC player David - and relocated to the Borders, Jordan told the selkirkrfc.com it was an easy decision to come to Philiphaugh.

“I was obviously aware of Lisa’s strong Selkirk connections, and had heard a lot about Selkirk Rugby Club from David,” said Jordan. “Everyone at Philiphaugh has been extremely welcoming since I arrived, so my main aim now is to get properly fit and take things from there.” Meanwhile, Melrose, who confirmed defence coach Ciaran Beattie has left the club to take up a new coaching role with Loughborough College, revealed it still had one more new signing to announce, in addition to the six reported in the Border Telegraph last week.

It hosted a friendly match with Watsonians at the Greenyards last weekend to cement the new link-up between the two clubs.

Looking ahead to the start of the new season, Melrose President Mike Bleasdale said: “Last Saturday saw a successful training run out against Watsonians in which many of the youngsters coming through got the feel of a first team jersey and a number of players put their hands up for selection. In the coming weeks we have some great rugby to be played on the Greenyards with Edinburgh and Leicester Tigers warming up the crowd for the inaugural BT Charity Challenge where we as League winners take on Heriots the cup winners.

“A week later we start our title defence by hosting big spending Edinburgh Accies. As champions we are now the target for every other team who will no doubt raise their game against us but we would not want to have it any other way. I am sure that in pulling together as a club we can reach the pinnacle again so your support is more important than ever.

“This week sees us off to Selkirk who no doubt will give us a stern test in a fully competitive Border League match and (fans) can expect to see some new faces turning out.”