BT Scotland Premiership: Division One
The last complete division one card of the season in the BT Scotland Premiership dawns with every issue decided. All the better then to turn the spotlight on Scott Hastings, Scotland's most capped player, who today makes his final appearance in the first XV jersey of his club, Watsonians, when they run out at Melrose.
Scott was in a relaxed mood as he said: ''Yeah, I've come quite a distance since, as a 17-year-old straight out of school, I made my debut on the wing for Watsonians against Devenport Services.''
''While it is a poignant moment, it's not the first 'last'.
''I have been through my last international, my last game as a pro, even a fortnight ago it was my last game at Myreside.
If he sounds a little like an old-time music hall artist who made a second career of 'last appearances', it is not inappropriate, as Scott has been one of Scottish rugby's great entertainers.
''The Watsonians club gave me the platform to build my career, and I am very grateful to them,'' Scott continued. ''That career took me through a great period for Scottish rugby, which, at the moment, continues to be in flux.
''However, I'm looking forward. I'm not walking away from Watsonians, where there is a need for continuity. I will continue as director of rugby, though not with the same commitment as this season.''
With Watsonians experiencing a poor second half to the season, Hastings also wants to go out on a win, which will not be easy at Melrose. Two other oldsters in Craig Brown and Andy Garry come into the side, respectively for Malcolm McVie and Bruce Aitchison.
However, young Tom Beaver joins the back row. The current Scotland Under-19 cap, who was in New Zealand last summer with the Youth Development squad, will have a part to remember in a historic day.
Injuries and the Hong Kong Sevens means five changes for Melrose.
The most competitive game is likely to be at Anniesland, where cup finalists Glasgow Hawks want to stay focused, while their visitors, Currie, undefeated in the league in 2000, have their eye on the third rung.
''I want to extend congratulations to Heriot's for taking the title,'' said Bill MacDonald of the Hawks coaching team.
''But we still have an ambition for this season so this is a good fixture.''
Number eight Andy Plastow left for Japan after the semi-final win at Gala, so that area will be worked on, with youngsters Greg Francis and Robert Niven sure to be involved.
Andrew Ness has hopes of a return to Murrayfield where he played for 20 minutes of Hawks' success in 1998, but currently his resumption after injury has got no further than gentle running. One man definitely not set for another cup final is centre David Wilson, who has a leg in a plaster cast.
Unlike Hawks, who have been either first or second all season, Currie have occupied every peg, bar those two and second bottom spot, so to end as they have with 38 players used, and eight top backs currently on long term sick leave, is quite a feat.
Champions Heriot's are letting everyone in for free to Goldenacre where a rugby festival begins with an old crocks game, and continues with mini rugby ahead of the main action against Gala, which has now been changed to a 2pm kick-off.
Jed seemed doomed around the turn of the year, but have recovered remarkably and finish with a home game against relegated West of Scotland. One of West's two victories came in November against Jed. The other relegated side, Kelso, travel to meet Hawick.
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