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The King of Sevens circuit in Scotland is gearing up for the start of the 2009/10 season, beginning at Kelso on August 15.

Watsonians picked up the King of Sevens title back in April and will look to hold on to their crown as the first non-Borders champions. Gary Kerr led the side for the majority of last season and enjoyed wins at Earlston and Berwick on the way to the coveted title.

But it was the hosts themselves, Kelso RFC, who walked away with the title on home soil last year following their 21-15 win against Selkirk in the final.

The 10 most prestigious Sevens tournaments in the Borders make up the King of the Sevens league competition which runs in a grand prix style format with sides picking up points in the various events. The competition forms an integral part of community life and is known locally as a highlight of the events calendar, with Sevens of course conceived in the area at Melrose.

Some legends of Kelso Rugby will be out in force at the club's forthcoming tournament as the club will celebrate their international past.

The Borders town launched a Homecoming Scotland museum attraction this month, with history boards appearing in shops revealing a wide variety of famous people to have emerged from Kelso, including Olympic Games stars and the writer of Rule Britannia.

The rugby club have followed suit by inviting their living caps back to Poynder Park for the Sevens tournament, to be staged on Saturday week.

The list of internationals stretches from Ken Smith, the British and Irish Lion of 1966, to Ross Ford, a Lion this year, and includes such well-known names as Roger Baird, Gary Callander, John Jeffrey and Alan Tait.

The tournament will also feature a youth coaching clinic, starting at 11am.

Croall Bryson Kelso Sevens: First round (1.30pm): Melrose v Langholm, Gala v Perthshire, Selkirk v Edinburgh Accies, Peebles v Howe of Fife, Hawick v Hawick YM, Kelso v Berwick, Jed-Forest v Haddington, Watsonians v President's VII.

2009/2010 Radio Borders King of Sevens: Kelso 7s (August 15), Selkirk 7s (August 23), Melrose 7s, Hawick 7s, Berwick 7s, Langholm 7s, Peebles 7s, Gala 7s, Earlston 7s, Jed Forest 7s.