THE MELROSE Sevens returns next week with a host of events.

The Jackson Distillers Hall of Fame Dinner takes place at the 1883 Pavilion on Thursday April 6 and will be followed by a Q&A with three of the greats of Scottish Rugby - Chris Paterson, Bryan Redpath and Craig Chalmers, all whom are previous winners at Melrose Sevens.

The following day sees the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Lunch.

Both events will he hosted by Happiness is Egg Shaped podcaster Bruce Aitchison.

 

Duns based Thorburn Group will be holding both a Clipex sheep handler and Clipex fencing demonstration for local farmers before the Pre-Qualification Tournament at the Melrose Sevens on Friday 7th April between 11am and 1pm.

Tynedale, North Berwick, Edinburgh University, Gala YM, Durham University, Biggar, Duns, Melrose Storm, Earlston, Dumfries Saints, Dalkeith and Berwick will take part in the Pre-Qualification Tournament which kicks off at 2.30pm.

The Under 18s tournament where the winners will lift the new Jim Telfer Cup kicks off at 5.30pm.

Melrose Wasps, Duns Colts, Selkirk Youth Club, Kelso Harlequins, Peebles Colts, Gala Wanderers, Hawick youth and Jed-Thistle will take part.

Then on Saturday April 8 the 1883 Centenary Cup Tournament and Women’s Tournament takes place. See the draw below.

The chosen charity of the 2023 Melrose Sevens will be My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and organisers are encouraging everyone to show their support by wearing a piece of Doddie tartan.

The Melrose & District Pipes and Drums Band will be performing across the weekend. And as a mark of respect to Doddie, the Melrose pipe band will play a rendition of Flower of Scotland before the final.

A new Women’s Tournament will also be played with the two finalists playing for the Mike Bleasdale Cup, named after former Club President and advocate for women’s rugby Mike Bleasdale.

(Remember only contactless/card payments will be accepted in the Fanzone)

Tickets for the main stand have already sold out.

Border Buses will be operating a shuttle service 777which will take fans from Tweedbank Railway Station to Melrose Sevens.

The service will also take you back from Melrose Sevens to Tweedbank Railway Station.

The 777 service will operate throughout the day and night on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th April.

Payment can be made either by cash or by contactless payment and ScotRail will be putting on extra carriages and trains.

For bus times or for more information visit borderbuses.co.uk

And the world-famous event concludes with a Party Night hosted by Callum Gallagher plus DJ duo Maddie and Georgy Dagg also known as Adelfi and Hawick DJ Dougy Telfer.

Details on how to watch Saturday's tournament will be announced soon.