The team’s progress in recent weeks came to a shuddering halt as they failed to take care of bottom-of-the table Biggar. The 14-14 scoreline failed to do justice to a weakened visting XV who were unlucky not to take all the points under the lights at the Gytes last Friday.

“The formbook often goes out the window for derby matches and it seems that’s what happened,” said senior director of rugby Graeme Paterson.

“Our players came off the pitch last week knowing they hadn’t played to their potential. In the end Biggar would have been disappointed that they didn’t win. We just did not use the ball as we have been doing in recent matches. It was a bit frustrating and disappointing.” Coach Peter Wright was away working for BBC Scotland at the Six Nations game in Rome. But Paterson was adamant that Wright’s absence had little bearing on the outcome.

“The coach not being there might have been a small factor but there was enough experience in the team,” he said. “Players have to be responsible for their own actions and once the game starts there’s not much the coach can do anyway.” Paterson will be looking for a much sharper display when they tackle a tough Dundee XV. I am still hopeful as we are going into the game unbeaten in four matches,” he said. “We have got a bit of form and it was just a slight drop last Friday.

“Dundee are a big, physical side and have been in the Premiership. They are probably the only side that have bullied us out of a game and we must be wary of the threat. They will be confident that they can bully us again but we have improved on the physical side of things.” There were no additions to the injury list after the Biggar game and Kenny Clyde and Connor McCann are expected to be available again.

However, they are not guaranteed starters with Paterson saying: “The guys have been playing well and need to be rewarded.”