Though stemming from a traditional heartland of Scottish rugby, demographics have taken their toll, with the local population accounting for 100,000 of the country's five million population.
Accordingly, the Borders' support has never taken off, their budget has been slashed more viciously than even their domestic rivals (further weakening a thin squad) and their very existence is hanging by a thread. They do possess one of Scottish rugby's great white hopes, scrumhalf Chris Cussiter, but barring a benefactor or two their collective future looks bleak.
In: Mike Blair (Narbonne), Ali Dickson (Edinburgh), Scott Gray (Bath), Charlie Hore (Canterbury), William Key (Newcastle), Wayne McEntee (Waikato), Tommy McGee (Edinburgh), Andy Miller (Suburbs, Sydney), Stuart Moffat (Glasgow), Joe Pattison (Hawick), Jon Steel (Glasgow), Ali Warnock (Edinburgh), Jonny Weston (Melrose).
Out: Gary Armstrong (retired), Craig Dunlea (Otago), Iain Fairley (released), Campbell Feather (Ulster), Daniel Kane (released), Clark Laidlaw (released), Craig Moir (Bedford), Cameron Murray (released), Scott Patterson (released), Semo Sititi (Newcastle), Jono Stuart (Lyon Olympique), Kelvin Todd (Rugby Lions), Kevin Utterson (released), Tanner Vili (released), Tony Walker (Exeter), Doddie Weir (retired).
Coach: Steve Bates.
Last season: 12th.
Odds: 200/1.
Forecast: 11th.
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