Ryan Godsmark and Tom Wilson are both quality scrum-halves who will bring a lot to the PROJECX Waterboys squad at the upcoming Hong Kong 10s.
The Waterboys team was initially started in 2012 with the aim of providing younger players, with a link to Scotland, the opportunity to visit the world’s largest tournaments.
The team this year is set to be filled with talent from the BT Premiership and beyond and the Waterboys are seeded eighth for the Hong Kong event which take place on April 5 and 6.
Ryan, 24, is currently playing in Belgium for a team called La Hulpe.
It is going very well and so far they have reached the finals of the Belgium Cup and are in line to get into the play-offs for the league.
“I started my rugby in Selkirk where I played until I was around 19. After that i moved to Edinburgh to play for Edinburgh Accies for the next three years,” Ryan, whose twin brother Nyle has represented Scotland Sevens recently, explains.
“I was interested in travelling and playing rugby so I have since played in America, France and now Belgium. The highlight of my rugby career would be being selected to play for the Scottish Thistles on the GB7s circuit.
“I was introduced to the Waterboys back in 2015 when we went to Budapest and won. I was then was invited back in 2016 to play at the Stockholm 10s which we also won.
“Sadly I was injured just before the Dubai event in December, so I could not play, but went as a supporter. Every time I’m asked to tour with the Waterboys is a huge honour.”
Tom, 23, started playing rugby at Duns in the mini section before moving to Queen Victoria School in Dunblane.
As well as playing for the school there he played for Dunfermline under-15s and was lucky enough to be selected for Caledonia under-16s and from that was offered a rugby scholarship to Strathallan School.
He said: “I spent two great years at Strathallan and then was at Melrose for three years. At Melrose I was able to play some high quality sevens and from this I was selected for the Premiership Sevens with Newcastle Falcons.
“For the last two seasons I have been playing with Heriot’s. My career highlight so far was winning the treble in 2015/2016 season with Heriot’s.
“Hong Kong will be my debut for the Waterboys and it is great to be selected for such a prestigious tournament.”
Ahead of this event, Ryan added: “I have played a few 10s tournaments and sometimes it takes a few games to adjust. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the tournament and I’m really excited to get there and play.
“I’m aware that the standard of rugby is very high so we will have to be well prepared
“I think with the team that we have we will have many options and will hopefully play a quick game.”
Tom stated: “This will be my first time playing 10s, however I have quite a lot of experience playing sevens in the Borders and with the Scottish Thistles on the GB7s circuit.
“The squad that has been selected for Hong Kong is an exciting group and I think we will play an attractive style of rugby.”
The PROJECX Waterboys are in Pool A at the Hong Kong 10s with last year’s winners Penguins International, the Irish Vikings and the Devils Advocate Dragons.
Once again PROJECX, International Power and Water Investments, JA Resorts & Hotels, Ace Property Management , Sarcogent Solutions and Ethigen are supporting the team. They also have a range of new sponsors including Kyloe Restaurant (Signature Pubs), Orion Systems, St. Julians Advisory, 4 Navitas and Bureau.
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