FROM rubbing shoulders on a substitutes bench with Australian World Cup winner Owen Finnegan, to colliding with Scottish Six Nations try hero Sean Lamont, and playing a try-scoring part on the way to a coveted Melrose Sevens winner's medal - it is proving a memorable season for Edinburgh-born rugby star Andrew Skeen.
And the bad news for opponents is that the glory run isn't finished yet with the utility back returning to his native heath this weekend as part of a Berwick squad who tackle Currie at Malleny Park for a place in the BT Scottish Cup Final at Murrayfi
eld against either Watsonians or Cartha QP.
This semi-final clash represents a rare opportunity to size up the talent of a lad whose eye-catching exploits have come about through dividing his time between Berwick and the development squad of crack Guinness English Premiership outfit, Newcastle Falcons, from where he also previously spent time with Melrose.
It was in Falcons colours that he nailed the Melrose Sevens title last weekend but, unless an offer comes in soon for the 21-year-old, he admits he could be looking for a Capital outfit next season - possibly the Gunners? - in seeking to develop potential already recognised by Scotland under-18s and under-19s before shoulder damage thwarted hopes of under-21 caps.
There's certainly no shortage of experience on offer from Skeen who, after four years attached to Falcons without being contracted, says of future plans: "Berwick have been good to me and the fact that they've just been relegated to Division Three doesn't rule out me staying there because loyalty must count for something. But by helping Berwick book a place in the final this weekend there are bound to be [influential] people watching who could help take my rugby career forward.
"We beat Heriot's in the previous round away from home so why not Currie, too, and any trip to Murrayfield would be as valuable as the Melrose tournament in terms of getting noticed. Saturday's tie, too, will be a showcase just like the Melrose Sevens, where I was delighted to take my chance at the world's oldest tournament facing Heriot's [in the final] for the second successive week."
Victory in a Newcastle shirt at Melrose added another twist to a season that has seen Skeen turning out regularly at reserve level for Falcons where his encounters with Finnegan and Lamont took place, both internationalists feeling their way back after injuries.
But having taken a gap year after completing a business studies degree Skeen admits he will soon have to find employment within professional rugby or elsewhere - and that could involve a change of scene in Edinburgh.
"Just as my Mum had to decide whether I should be born in Edinburgh or Newcastle - both are equidistant from Berwick - and opted for the former, I'm looking at all options. The employment situation in Berwick isn't as good as the Capital or on Tyneside, so I could well head north."
What's certain is that if Skeen leaves Berwick then whoever recruits his services will get a player capable of settling in at stand off, full back or centre - as demonstrated in outings against the likes of Leeds, Northampton, Leicester and Sale "A". He added: "Until this season most of my rugby had been played at stand off then I got the chance to play full back and found there was more space in which to express myself going forward.
"Even more recently chances have arisen at centre so it has certainly been a good season on the individual front although I'd like to have done more to have helped Berwick stave off relegation."
Whatever the future holds, Skeen wants to finish this season in style - Currie have been warned.
