And, after turning out for Scotland on this year’s IRB Sevens World Series circuit in New Zealand, Dubai, South Africa and the United States, Selkirk’s talented wing threequarter Lee Jones can now add yet another honour to this impressive list – a first appearance for the legendary Barbarians invitation XV.

The Heriot-Watt student pulled on the famous black-and-white-hooped jersey on Tuesday night when the Baa-Baas took on Bedford Blues in the traditional fixture at the club’s Goldington Road ground.

“I got an email last week from the Barbarians’ manager Alan Evans asking if I’d be available to play,” said Lee. “It came like a bolt from the blue, but of course I was delighted to be given the chance to play for them.”

Jones, who started on the bench, gave a good account of himself when he came on for Coventry’s Kurt Johnson on 51 minutes, but the Selkirk youngster was helpless as the Blues went on a second-half rampage to record a 50-14 victory.

The Barbarians held a seven-point lead until the last play of the first half but fell away badly after the interval as the well-drilled Blues ran the ball at every opportunity and scored another six tries without reply.

Other Scottish players in the Baa-Baas’ line-up this week were Melrose’s John Dalziel and former Stewart’s/Melville FP player Ross Samson, now an Edinburgh pro player. The team was coached by Melrose RFC’s former international fly half Craig Chalmers.

Another Selkirk player in top-flight action last week was Alex Dunbar. The strong-running National Academy youngster played a pivotal role in the Scotland under-20 team’s 18-16 victory over Italy under-20s in the Sardinian town of Capoterra.

Playing at inside centre for the Scots, Dunbar regularly crossed the gain line to create an attacking platform for his forwards, and showed typical grit and determination in what turned out to be an extremely tough contest. Trailing 16-13 early in the second half, the visitors hit back to claim a narrow win with fine tries from Doug Fife and Alex Blair.

Because of representative calls and injury, Alex has been unable to play regularly for Selkirk this season, only managing a total of eight 1st XV appearances to date.

However, once the Six Nations games are over, it is hoped his name will once again feature on the Philiphaugh club’s teamsheet.

Closer to home Selkirk No8 Andrew Renwick, 19, was invited to show his rugby pedigree at a higher level when he was called into the Gael Force team for last week’s British & Irish Cup fixture against Plymouth Albion at Lasswade.

However, in the face of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, and with a couple of the visitors’ players beginning to show early signs of hypothermia, Irish referee Paul Haycock took the decision to abandon the game with 13 minutes left on the clock.

“I’ve never played in such cold conditions,” said Andrew.