By MARK CASHMAN

Gordon are four points clear at the top of the Shute Shield competition table but they are approaching the game against Southern Districts on Saturday as a litmus test on where their premiership credentials sit.

The Highlanders lost their two starting tight head props - Rhys Brodie and Bosco xxxxx - against Randwick last weekend and won’t see them again in 2020.

There’s a truism in our game that says that the most important selection decision made each week centres around who plays tight head prop.

After that it’s who will come on to replace the tight head prop previously mentioned - after that you can work out the rest of the team without too much trouble.

Sean Dillon has been handed the keys for the Highlanders and will play a key role in the way that this game and the rest of the season pans out.