Highland coach eyeing a recruitment drive

Highland are planning to improve their squad for Premiership rugby.

A trip to Borders side Gala lies in store tomorrow, with six games left.

Highland are third in the National 1 table, a point and a place above Melrose, with Gala in mid-table. Tomorrow’s hosts were beaten 34-18 at Highland in September.

Barring a huge collapse, runaway leaders Biggar will claim the title and seal promotion.

But Highland playercoach Iain Chisholm feels they can afford to relax somewhat, free from the pressures of their previous seasons spent chasing silverware.

He said: “Things are really good just now and we’re excited for next year. We’re planning for that already. We’re looking at players we could recruit, through our rugby scholarships programme and the UHI (University of Highlands and Islands). Hopefully there are people coming to the area that may want to stay for a long time.

“As a club, we have to be a bit more selfish in keeping our own players than we have in the past.”

On that latter point, Chisholm points to the example of former

Highland and Ross Sutherland winger Jake Henry.

He headed for South Africa last year to Stellenbosch University on a rugby scholarship and upon his return was picked up by Melrose’s Super6 side Southern Knights.

Chisholm added: “It would be great if we could get to a level where he could be dual-registered with us.

“I don’t know if a Super6 team would consider dual-registering a player with a team so far north but if we get to that level (Premiership) we’d be better able to keep our top players like Jake.

“We’re going to concentrate on the defence and let the attack look after itself.

“We’re scoring some amazing tries and moving the ball into space really well. We have to win the physical battle.”

Iain Chisholm