He ruptured a cruciate ligament after pulling up sharply during training.

“It’s the second time I’ve had a knee injury and it doesn’t look good,” he said.

“I’m going to have to have surgery, so I’ve got to wait and see but I don’t imagine I’ll be playing much more rugby.

“At this stage I would say there’s only a 50-50 chance of being able to play again.” It is a bitter blow for Clancy, who has risen through the ranks at Peebles and is in his second season as the captain of the senior side.

However, with the horror injury coinciding with former Head Coach Peter Wright’s departure from the club, he hasn’t ruled out moving into coaching in future - if he is forced to hang up his boots.

“I’ve been with Peebles since I played in the minis when I was five and I would like to stay with the club, even if I can’t play,” Clancy said.

“There are other ways to be involved in rugby, maybe as a coach or referee.” Clancy is an electrician and wants to do more for his employers, Innerleithen-based Scotlight Electrical. “They’ve been good to me as I’ve had a lot of time off,” he said.

Peebles senior director of rugby Graeme Paterson said: “It’s so disappointing when an injury happens to a guy as young as this.

“Dale has been unlucky with injuries and a lot is down to his work now. He can’t take the risk of being injured and not being able to do his job.

“I would hope that Dale will stay in the game either as a coach or a referee. Certainly, people are always berating and moaning about referees and if there are more ex-players involved the players might be more positive.”