IT could hardly be tougher for Peebles rugby players as they return to competitive action this weekend against all-conquering Selkirk.

The Gytes side face a baptism of fire in the Booker Border League clash against a side who won all 22 games on their way to taking the BT Divison One National League title last season. But Peebles are fully prepared for the launch of a campaign in which they hope to improve on their sixth placing in the national league.

The game at Philiphaugh (kick off 3pm) will help both sides to tune up for the challenges that lie ahead - but neither is likely to regard it as a friendly.

Selkirk collected the league trophy and rounded off their campaign at home when they secured their 20th consecutive win by defeating Peebles 20-9 in March.

“It’s a big challenge for us and we certainly won’t be treating this as just a warm up game ahead of our programme in the BT league,” said Peebles’ senior director of rugby Adam Moffat. “Borders League games are always quite competitive and it’s great for us to be involved in this - it is an excellent starting point for our season. This will be the first game of the season for both sides and it will be a good test for us. We will be ready for the game as we’ve been training for four weeks now - and have had 43 different boys in in that time.

“A few of the guys are unavailable and some are still on their holidays and we plan to give some of the younger guys who are pushing for a first team place a run out.” Peebles face Lasswade tomorrow week and then Melrose seven days later in another Border League game before the BT League programme gets underway with an away fixture against Watsonians on August 29.

“The Border League games should set us up nicely and I am confident will we have a full squad available and raring to go when we face Watsonians,” said Moffat.