Drafty Round Here Init?

THE PROFESSIONAL draft, that annual exercise in getting the troops excited, has finally been revealed. The clubs now know which players they can expect to be loaned-out by the two professional clubs over this season.

Hoggie and Jonny might get a run-out for a club to prove their fitness

But, as we all know by now – this is not what it seems. There is just a chance that, the timing being right, Stuart Hogg will perhaps pull on an Ayr jersey, if only to prove his fitness, and Jonny Gray just might be given a run-out with Currie to prove his fitness.

Mark Bennett's fight-back to full match fitness will, conditions being right, begin in Boroughmuir's colours, but, the reality is, if the drafted professional is one of the central core players with either of the two pro sides – he will never be seen in the colours of the club to which he was drafted.

Still, it gives the club men something to talk about, while little else is happening, but, where the big names are concerned any way – nobody believes a word of it.

And, even when a professional does turn-out for a club, what that club gets varies. Some terrific pros of the past, such as Al Kellock and James Eddie really bought-into the club they were drafted to and made a difference - others seemed to be going through the motions with the greatst of reluctance.

 I could never picture Chris Paterson in a green shirt

And, I remember, years ago, when this draft started, Chris Paterson was drafted to Hawick – anyone who thought there was the remotest chance of a guid Braw Lad frae Gala like CP pulling-on the green jersey, well, they had had a reality by-pass.

But, just supposing something happened, say the PRO14 ran into a legal dispute and games were cancelled until it was sorted out. The players would still have to keep sharp, get game time – so, they have to play for the clubs to which they had been drafted.

Here are the team sheets for this mythical week. And, you will note, in some cases, not every player drafted can be accommodated in any one week's team.

I don't know what the fixtures are, but, the starting XVs are as follows: Normal club players are in block print, drafted professionals in italics. In every case, the drafted professionals were chosen first, before filling-in round them. When in doubt, I chose the last player to play in that position for the club last season.

AYR: Stuart Hogg; Robbie Fergusson, Brandon Thomson, Sam Johnston, Rory Hughes; Finn Russell, Ali Price; George Hunter, Pat McArthur, Robin Hislop; Tim Swinson, Rob McAlpine, Blair Macpherson, Tommy Spinks, Pete McCallum.

BOROUGHMUIR: Grant Cannie; Damien Hoyland, Mark Bennett, Robbie Fruean, Jordan Edmonds; Duncan Weir, Sean Kennedy; D Robertson, T King, WP Nel; Lewis Carmichael, Fraser McKenzie; Aubrey Mcube, Hamish Watson, Chris Keddie. Also drafted:Nathan Fowles

CURRIE CHIEFTAINS: Ruaridh Jackson; Leonardo Sarto, Richie Vernon, Robbie Nelson, Lee Jones; Adam Hastings, Charlie Shiel; Alex Allan, George Turner, John Cox; Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray; Luke Crosbie, Tom Gordon, Ross Weston.

GLASGOW HAWKS: Jack Steele; Kerr Gossman, Paddy Kelly, Alex Dunbar, Robert Beattie; Peter Horne, George Horne; Chris Strain, Fraser Brown, Jack Findlay; Kiran McDonald, Brian Alainu'uese; Rob Harley, Matt Smith, Matt Fagerson.

Pictured - Brian Alainu'uese.

HAWICK: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Joseva Nayacavou, Phil Burleigh, Tom Brown; Kyle Brunton, Greg Cottrell; Allan Dell, Kevin Bryce, Rory Sutherland; Keith McNeil, Bruce McNeil; Hugh Blake, John Hardie, Cornell Du Preez.

HERIOT'S: Charlie Simpson; Duhan Van Der Merwe, Liam Steele, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, James Fleming; Jason Tovey, Hugh Fraser; Alasdair Dickinson, Michael Liness, Murray McCallum; Ben Toolis, Jack Turley; Chris Mulligan, Jamie Ritchie, Callum Marshall.

MARR: Gavin Lowe; Lelia Masaga, Conor Bickerstaff, Richard Dalgleish, Tommy Seymour; Dougie Steele, Kaleem Berretto; Oli Kebble, James Malcolm, D'Arcy Rae; Greg Peterson, Ewen Bulger; Samuela Vunisa, Kyle Vallance, Ryan Wilson. Also drafted: Siosiua Halanukonuka (pictured left and not even guaranteed a game. 

MELROSE: Fraser Thomson; Austin Lockington, Tom Galbraith, James Johnstone, Ross McCann; Jason Baggot, Charlie Sheill; Jamie Bhatti, Ross Ford, Simon Berghan, Grant Gilchrist, Anton Bresler, Ally Miller, Stuart McInally, James Johnstone.

STIRLING COUNTY: L Bonar; J Hope, Huw Jones, Nick Grigg, S MacDonald; Ross Curle, Henry Pyrgos; M MacDonald, Ruaridh Kennedy, Zander Fagerson; Callum Hunter-Hill, Lewis Wynne, Callum Gibbons, Chris Fusaro, Adam Ashe.

WATSONIANS: Glenn Bryce; Dougie Fife, Chris Dean, Junior Rasolea, Jason Harries; Jack Cuthbert, E McKirdy; Darryl Marfo, Neil Cochrane, N Borel; F Morrison, C Borthwick; Magnus Bradbury, Jamie Farndale, Rory Drummond.

Magnus Bradbury - the Edinburgh captain will play at Myreside this season, but, probably not for Watsonians.

This piece, or the selections should not be taken too-seriously, It is all just a wee bit of fun.