ST BOSWELLS captain Ryan Hogg may be forced to hang up his boots after leading the Borderers to national glory.

He played through the pain barrier to help his side defeat GHK, 27-19, to lift the BT Shield at Murrayfield on Saturday.

However, the 32-year-old former Hawick player, who also won the Bowl with Hawick YM in 2004, revealed an appointment with a specialist will decide his fate.

Reflecting on what could turn out to be his last game for the club, Hogg told the Border Telegraph: “Words can’t even describe it, I am still buzzing believing that we’re actually here. The boys have played well all season and when that final whistle blew there was just a world of emotions. It was absolutely fantastic.

“Playing at Murrayfield is what every rugby supporter dreams of as a boy and winning as well - you can’t beat it!” But he added: “I’m not sure what the future holds. The older legs are a bit tired now, everybody has given everything. I was given some bad news the other day, I need to go see a specialist to see if I’m going to be able to keep playing rugby.” The number eight, who played with strapping on his leg, praised fans who followed them to the capital for their support throughout the season and revealed he hoped their success would attract new players to the club, who will compete in East League One next season.

“The supporters were great,” Hogg said. “They were our 16th man out there.

“In the first half we were absolutely fantastic but, in the second half, I think we lost a bit of composure thinking this was going to be easier than we thought it would be. But the boys kept playing for the 80 minutes and held on to the lead that we had I thought it was absolutely brilliant.” And he added: “As stands now, St Boswells is in good stead and we are trying to get some more boys. If this doesn’t encourage more people to come, what will?”