GLASGOW HAWKS

Coaches Peter Wright, (pictured), Rob Ackerman

Captain Ian Milligan

In Kenny Sinclair (Glasgow), Guy Perrett (Edinburgh), Kenny Baillie (Boston Wolfhounds), Peter Dalton (Hillhead), Matt Smith (Glasgow Accies), John Barclay (Dollar Academy)

Out Kenny Barclay, Calum Morrison, Stuart Orr (all to West of Scotland), James Adams (Ayr), Robert Currie (Aberdeen), Craig Hodgkinson (Royal Marines), Gordon McFadyen (Gordon, Sydney), Scott Hutton (allegedly retired)

Key player Irishman Michael Rainey's was a massive influence last season and his tactical kicking should once again ensure that Hawks are able to put pressure at set pieces

Player to watch Pace and guile marked out Stuart Low's efforts in his inaugural campaign last season

Last season Champions

Prediction Even allowing for the pressures which are certain to be placed on them by Glasgow's stripped-down professional team the depth of their squad should see them to another titleFIRST

boroughmuir

Coaches Iain Paxton, Bruce Reekie

Captain Angus Martin

In Ramin Mathieson (back from Edinburgh), Ally Davidson (pictured, back from Borders), Danny Wright (Watsonians), Graham McCallum (back from New Zealand), Neil Clark (Musselbrough), Scott Hadden (Australia), Andrew Hadden (Kelso), Andrew Scott (West of Scotland)

Out Ally Strokosch (Edinburgh), Murray Driver (Rtrd), Matt Morrell (Watsonians)

Key player Ally Davidson will be able to guarantee plenty of line-out ball for one of the most exciting back divisions in Scottish club rugby

Player to watch Scott Hadden, son of Edinburgh coach Frank, has had a good pre-season and will hope to secure stand-off role for himself

Last season Second

Prediction After the departures of the previous two years last season's title challenge was a remarkable effort and they seem to have recruited wellTHIRD

ABERDEEN GSFP

Coach Damien Reidy

Captain Rob Seib

In Rob Currie (Hawks), Shane Arnold (Australia)

Out John Beattie (GHA), Kacey Mitchell (Australia),

Key player Rob Seib remains the main attacking threat for Aberdeen and with Kacey Mitchell departed, will be ever more vital to them again

Player to watch Ramsay Wilson, a former Scotland U19 cap, will want to step into Mitchell's shoes and take some of the weight from Seib

Last season Third

Prediction Losing Mitchell and Beattie was bad news while opponents should be getting used to two-bridge syndrome when heading up to the Granite CitySEVENTH

WATSONIANS

Coach Gary Callander

Captain Kian Coerteze

In Dan O'Connell (Hawick), Tyson Tanakari (Australia), Colin Eaddie (Stirling), Stuart McAllister (Stirling), Karl McWilliam (Murrayfield Wndrs), Matt Morrell (Boroughmuir)

Out Michael Ker (Currie), Danny Wright (Boroughmuir)

Key player Colin Gregor was that man last season and if not required by Glasgow too much will again spark their more inspirational play

Player to watch Alan Nash turned down an apprenticeship with Edinburgh in the summer but will be keen to show the choice was his by having a barnstorming season

Last season Fourth

Prediction Tipped here to win the title last season due to all their quality imports they fell away in the depths of winter, but now more settled their squad should go close this time SECOND

HERIOT'S

Coach Kenny Milne, Iwan Tukalo, Jocky Bryce

Captain Jamie Syme, (pictured)

In Andrew Easton (Kirkcaldy), Andrew Olson (Ireland), Graham McKenzie (Linlithgow), Graham Wilson (Dollar), John Alston (Dollar), Neil Meikle (Ayr), Rob Dewey (Kirkcaldy), Greig Rutherfor d (Currie), Matt Smith (Perthshire)

Out Nick Armstrong (retired), Fraser Smeaton (London Scottish), Graham Smeaton (travelling), Simon Bennett (University)

Key player Old warhorse Craig Harrison will again be a vital element in Heriot's go-forward tactics

Player to watch Rob Dewey has already made quick progress over the summer, featuring for Edinburgh pre-season, but if the club can keep their hands on him he will make a big impact

Last season Fifth

Prediction Look likely to be most heavily affected by Edinburgh pro team calls so could struggle for consistencySIXTH

MELROSE

Coach Andy Henderson,

Bryan Easson, Craig Chalmers

Captain Craig Chalmers

In Jamie Murray (Tynedale), Jarrod Murphy (Gordons, Sydney), David Whiteford (Peebles), Alan McDowell (Earlston), Barry Watson (Earlston), Karne Kafanau (Christchurch, NZ), Craig Chalmers (Worcester), Craig Sutherland (Hawick)

Out Andy Skeen (Berwick), Johnny Weston (Borders), Kelly Brown (Borders), Johnathan Rimmer (released), Henry Lawson (New Zealand)

Key player Lacked consistency last season, but the return of Craig Chalmers, one of the most competitive individuals in Scottish rugby history can drive them to much improved performances

Player to watch Mark Robertson, son of Scotland and Lions internationalist Keith, is a powerful winger who should be able to capitalise on gaining plenty of ball

Last season Sixth

Prediction Improved steadily under coaching of Andy Henderson and Bryan Easson last season. Chalmers factor could be hugeFOURTH

HAWICK

Coach Kevin Barrie

Captain Roddy Deans

In Jonathan Coetzee (South Africa) Ally Marsh (Edinburgh Accies)

Out Gav Douglas (Edinburgh Accies), Fergus Pringle (Edinburgh), Dan O'Connell (Watsonians), Craig Sutherland (Melrose)

Key player John Houston can score tries for fun when fully fit and should Hawick avoid scramble at foot of table expect him to have a high try-count

Player to watch David Irving should finally establish himself as first choice scrum half this season

Last season Seventh

Prediction More important departures have further stretched their resources and while they showed why no-one ever got rich by backing the Greens to be relegated (it has never happened) by defying our doom-laden prediction of last season they really do look to be up against it this time ELEVENTH

CURRIE

Coach Ally Donaldson

Captain Gavin Scott

In David Officer (Worcester), Richard Sneddon (Boroughmuir), Michael Ker (Watsonians), David Reay (Peebles), David Young (Kirkcaldy), Douglas Flockhart (Dumfries)

Out Greig Rutherford (Heriot's), Aaron Cowie (Sicily), Chris Shaw (London Welsh), Gareth Flockhart (Stew/Mel)

Key player The mobility and experience of Gav Scott should generate much needed enthusiasm in the younger players

Player to watch Ben Cairns, pictured, captained Scotland's u-19s last season and must now prove he can be influential at senior level

Last season Eighth

Prediction Have lost some quality players and may have to rely on the Malleny Park factor to scramble the points together to avoid finishing in the bottom two TENTH

GHA

Coach David Wilson

Captain Carlo Di Ciacca

In Joe Naufahu (Glasgow), Carlo Di Ciacca (Edinburgh), John Beattie (Aberdeen)

Out Jamie Noonan (Ayr)

Key player Ex-pro Alan Bulloch has a lot to live up to and a lot to prove and don't expect him to shirk his responsibilities

Player to watch John Beattie, son of, made his debut for Aberdeen last season. Already been snapped up to work with Glasgow. Powerful young player who can only get better the more experience he gets

Last season Ninth

Prediction After showing their fighting qualities last season they have recruited outstandingly and may be ready to start making a real challenge to city rivals HawksFIFTH

AYR

Coach Craig Redpath

Captain Neil Brunning

In James Noonan (GHA), James Adams (Hawks), Oliver Scott (Hawks), Murray Richardson (Dumfries)

Out Neil Miekle (Ayr)

Key player James Noonan has a lot to prove after arriving from GHA to a star free side for whom tactical decision making will be vital

Player to watch Stephen Manning had injury troubles in the last campaign, but expect the winger to make a significant contribution this time round

Last season Tenth

Prediction Found life very tough last season but if they show similar resolve can consolidate their place in the top flight NINTH

GALA

Coach Andrew Dall

Captain John Dalziel

In Andrew Dall (Edinburgh), John Skudro (Jed), Scott Nichol (Peebles), Patrick Sykes (Exeter), Adam Mitchell (Australia)

Out Andy Millar, Ian Berthinussen (both Borders)

Key player Aside from any points he may have to prove after being cut by Edinburgh, World Cup squad member Andy Dall's influence on Gala's forwards in general and backrow in particular should more than compensate for the loss of George Graham

Player to watch Patrick Sykes, a big and powerful former England U21 centre, will enjoy exploiting gaps made by Dall's back row

Last season Division two champions

Prediction Confidence gained from winning a title and some good recruitment should stand them in good stead EIGHTH

BIGGAR

Coaches Gary Parker, John Beattie, pictured below

Captain Euan McAlpine

In Joe Edwards (Ballymena)

Out Richie Guy (New Zealand)

Player to watch Hooker Michael Rutherford will not be afraid to take over permanently from Lawson and will be looking to get himself noticed at the higher level

Key player More than any single player Quentin Sanft, their Samoan play-maker, helped get Biggar into the top flight, but will now have to orchestrate things at a higher pitch

Last season Promoted from division two. Have replaced Stirling County as the top division club most reliant on local talent. Implication is clear, so to their fast-talking coaching team we grant our greatest motivational gift by suggesting that they may finish bottom of the heap TWELFTH