Highland are already planning for next season, according to player-coach Iain Chisholm.
The club’s development officer, who has been filling in at centre of late, revealed plans are already afoot to improve the squad for next season and long-term they see themselves as a Premiership side.
A trip to Borders’ side Gala lies in store tomorrow, with six games left in the National One season. Barring a huge collapse, runaway leaders Biggar will claim the title and seal promotion to the Premiership.
Chisholm feels they can afford to relax somewhat, free from the pressures of their previous seasons spent chasing silverware.
He said: “Because we know where we’re playing next season, we can relax a bit more rather than feeling under a lot of pressure.
“The last three seasons, we have been on edge constantly as we try to get tiny bits more out of every player that can make a difference. When you’ve got 55 players turning up to training, that can be difficult.
“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.”
The Inverness are third in the table, a point and a place above Melrose, with Gala sat in mid-table. Tomorrow’s hosts were beaten 34-18 at Canal Park in September.
Chisholm said: “We need to stop them getting momentum, as we know they will kick and can do that poorly at times. Defence is going to be absolutely key and we’ll go away with a slightly different mentality.
“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 but stay true to our philosophy.”
