HAWICK coach Gerry McGuinness would like to see a pool of 50 players at Mansfield Park.
And he revealed that would include a squad for a second XV, which will be playing in a new national league, run by the SRU.
While the seconds have been a bone of contention with junior clubs in the town for some time, Mr McGuinness said that to sc
rap them was not an option.
He told the Hawick News: "The upside is that they will be playing teams from Edinburgh and Glasgow, of course the downside is that they could be up against teams from Dundee, Aberdeen, Greenock and Kilmarnock.
"But for the first team to be successful, we need our seconds to be playing at the highest possible level and I think the junior clubs will buy into that if they're playing in a national league."
He added: "We need a squad of 50. That includes two matchday squads of 19 and then at any one time you could have half a dozen players injured."
New dual registration rules from the SRU will limit players to playing for just two clubs next season and they will only be allowed to play six matches rather than the previous eight, although this is being appealed by Hawick.
Meanwhile, two players who appeared to have been heading out the door have committed their immediate future to the Greens.
Mr McGuinness confirmed that forward Nick Mactaggart has opted against a move to Melrose, while exciting young fullback John Coutts has also decided to remain at Mansfield Park.
Nick Mactaggart
"I'm delighted that they have both agreed to stay," he said. "In the early part of the season when the grounds are firm, we need all the attacking players we can get and Nick comes into that category as much as John."
However, on the down side for Hawick supporters, there remains some doubt over the future of prop Nicky Little, who has been heavily linked with a move to neighbours Selkirk, while the Hogg brothers, Graham and Stuart, have both agreed deals to join Edinburgh outfit Heriot's.
Graham said: "I decided over the weekend. The whole package was far too good to say no to.
"I still want to get a contract somewhere so I have to be playing at the highest level. Hopefully people won't grudge me that. Obviously the way that Heriot's play rugby is probably going to suit my style.
"I'm really looking forward to it, especially because Stuart will be joining me. It's a new challenge for the both of us."
