SELKIRK Rugby Club now has a new name to add to its list of international players – Ryan Godsmark.

Last weekend the 27-year-old utility back represented Belgium in a Rugby Europe Championship game against Portugal in Lisbon.

Normally a scrum-half, Ryan wore the No. 10 jersey for his adopted country, who narrowly lost the match 23-17.

“It was definitely a special moment,” Ryan said in a telephone call from Brussels.

“I hadn’t expected to be playing at fly-half, but it was exciting to be involved in what turned out to be a close game.”

Ryan works as head of rugby at the British School of Brussels, and is also an ambassador for the Canterbury sportswear company, having been the beneficiary of a sports scholarship from the firm.

He is currently in his fourth season with Rugby Club La Hulpe, which is situated south of Brussels, and qualifies to represent Belgium under the three-year residency rule.

After finishing playing at Philiphaugh in 2012 (having made 29 1st XV appearances and scored five tries), Ryan turned out for Edinburgh Accies alongside his twin brother Nyle.

He then travelled to New York for a short spell with Saratoga (where he was joined by current Selkirk player Josh Welsh).

Next stop on Ryan’s rugby odyssey was French club Auxerre (recommended to him by ex-Selkirk player Clement Lacour), before he moved to Rugby Club La Hulpe in Belgium, where he is now in his fourth season.

To say Ryan has become immersed in Belgian rugby culture is something of an understatement.

His girlfriend Margaux Lalli plays for the Belgium women’s team, while her father Philippe is an ex-Belgium internationalist and well respected rugby coach.

While Ryan was making his international debut, brother Nyle was representing Scotland at the HSBC Sydney Sevens in Australia, having been a contracted Scotland sevens player for the past five seasons.

Ryan’s parents live near Lilliesleaf.

“I’m looking forward to returning to the Borders at the beginning of April,” said Ryan.

“Belgium are one of the invited teams at this year’s Melrose Sevens, so hopefully I’ll be able to make the squad.

“It’ll be good seeing my parents and catching up with everyone, and hopefully Belgium will have some success at the Greenyards tournament.”