And captain George Graham believes the Maroons have every chance of making up for the heartache of losing the league to Melrose in the final game of last season - if they can hold on to their fourth place play-off spot.

However, they will have to do it without his brother Gary, who left Netherdale last week to sign a professional contract with Greene King IPA Championship Club Jersey.

When asked if Gala could still win the BT Premiership without him, George Graham, who missed last season’s title run-in due to injury, told the Border Telegraph: “We’ve got two games left and we need to win both of them, then we’ll see what comes of that.” Gary’s departure brings to an end a formidable partnership both on and off the field with his brother, George, and dad, also George, the former Scotland international and now Head Coach at Gala.

However, he leaves with the club’s best wishes.

George, junior, explained: “It’s a massive opportunity for (Gary), we’re all proud of him. We wouldn’t have held him back.

“He’s a young player and has a lot to learn. And I think once he spends time down there, in that environment, training all the time, he’s going to flourish. It’s a long way away but I’m sure he will be alright.” George Graham, the player, was back at Netherdale on Friday night to represent Scotland in the rearranged Club International with Ireland, which the home side won 23-18 to lift the Dalriada Cup.

The game was originally due to be played in Glasgow but was moved to Galashiels due to concerns over the weather in the west.

George Graham said: “I’m very proud to get another cap under my collar. I just enjoy playing rugby and I want to be on that field, especially when I’m representing my country.

“I’ve been involved in two of the Ireland games and we’ve won both of them so it’s not a bad result, we just need to keep it going into the English Counties next.

“When I found out the game was being moved to Netherdale because of the weather I was quite happy, a lot of the boys came down to watch, I enjoy being at Netherdale, it’s my home at the minute so it’s a big, big occasion.” Gala’s next Premiership match is a Borders derby against second placed Melrose at Netherdale on Saturday, February 21.

The Greenyards side was well represented with Fraser Thomson, Ewan McQuillin, Nick Beavon and Peter Eccles all playing their part, with the latter two both making their bows for their country.

Other players making their debut for Scotland in the Club International were Gala’s Russell Anderson and, Scott McLeod and Shawn Muir, of Hawick.

“I’m delighted,” Eccles said, reflecting on the match. “The boys played fantastic - Jason Hill’s try was sensational and when he’s playing so well you know that it’s going to be difficult to get a chance to get on. So I’m absolutely thrilled for the boys, it was a great weekend, it is a real showcase for club rugby, and it was great to see the game out.

“I’ve played in the club game for 12 years now and it feels like it’s been a just reward for that.” Scotland’s next Club International will be a game against the English Counties for the first time at Fydle Rugby Club near Blackpool on Friday, February 27.

Looking forward to the game this week, Thomson said: “If we get our setpiece right and keep the ball, we are dangerous for anybody.

“I think that is one of the highest contingents we’ve had from the Borders for a while and it’s good to have all the teams from the Premiership represented.

“The boys played well (against Ireland) and really dug in for the last 15 minutes and we’ll take that into the England game. It will be a totally different game down in Blackpool, I’d imagine they’ll be a lot more physical and we’ll have to really work on our setpiece, especially at the line-out.

“But, if we take our scrum and our drives into that game then, I think, it will take us a long way to being the first Scottish Club International to win both games in a year and that’s something we are looking for.” International rugby returns to Netherdale again this weekend when the Scotland Under 20s tackle Wales in the Six Nations Championships on Friday, February 13, kick-off 5.55pm.

The home side - which once again includes a strong contingent of local players, including Gala’s Ruairi Howarth and Gary Robertson - will be keen to bounce back from their 47-6 defeat in France last weekend.