Toony To Lead Reivers In Double Farewell

Gregor Townsend will captain the Border Reivers on Saturday (12 May) for his, and the Reivers’, last game. Following the Magners League clash against The Ospreys, which kicks-off at 5:30pm, Townsend will hang up his boots after an illustrious 12 year career in professional rugby having signed his first contract with Northampton Saints in 1995.Gregor Townsend will captain the Border Reivers on Saturday (12 May) for his, and the Reivers’, last game. Following the Magners League clash against The Ospreys, which kicks-off at 5:30pm, Townsend will hang up his boots after an illustrious 12 year career in professional rugby having signed his first contract with Northampton Saints in 1995. Border Reivers head coach Steve Bates said: “Saturday will be a very notable occasion as it marks the end of Gregor Townsend’s fantastic rugby career that has included 82 caps for his country and has established him as one of Scotland’s greatest ever natural talents.” He added: “Since the announcement of the closure we have had to play the top five teams in the league and although we have not accrued many points, I have been extremely proud of the team and the way the players have applied themselves in difficult and uncertain circumstances.” In addition to Townsend’s return to the starting line-up, two further players are drafted into the team that started against Leinster last weekend. Nick De Luca returns to the centre alongside Ben MacDougall with Calum MacRae moving to the left wing. International hookers Ross Ford and Steve Scott switch places from last weekend to give Ford the starting berth for the farewell fixture. Border Reivers team to play The Ospreys in the Magners League at Netherdale on Saturday 12 May (kick-off 5:30pm) 15 Stuart Moffat 14 Dougie Flockhart 13 Ben MacDougall 12 Nick De Luca 11 Calum MacRae 10 Gregor Townsend CAPTAIN 9 Rob Chrystie 1 Gavin Kerr 2 Ross Ford 3 Bruce Douglas 4 Stuart Grimes 5 Opeta Palepoi 6 Scott Gray 7 Andy Miller 8 Kelly Brown Substitutes 16 Steve Scott 17 Ed Kalman 18 Craig Hamilton 19 John Dalziel 20 Brendan McKerchar 21 Garry Law 22 Bryan Rennie