Greenock Wanderers youngster Andy Kirkland has been called into the Scotland under-17 Development Squad as they prepare for the prestigious Millfield Festival of Rugby at the end of the month.

Scotland will take on France, Wales and Portugal in the week-long tournament, which runs from 30 March to 6 April.

A number of squad sessions and warm-up matches will be held throughout March as the side prepare for the competition.

Kirkland"s inclusion is a great boost for Wanderers and is further evidence the conveyor belt of young talent coming through the ranks at Fort Matilda is still very much in full swing.

He joined the club as an eight-year-old in 1999 and was part of a very successful mini and midi rugby team under head coach Bob McFarlane, and they have now matured into the club"s under-18 side.

Despite being only 16, Kirkland has shone at that level and was selected for the Glasgow District side to face Edinburgh in January. His further promotion to national honours augurs well for his future development.

Coach Bob McFarlane said: 'Quite early on we realised we had a youngster with the physical and athletic capabilities that made him stand out. I knew we had turned up an exceptional prospect.' Rugby is obviously in young Andy"s blood as he takes after father David, who was captain of Strathclyde Police RFC for a number of years before joining Wanderers in the mid 90s, where he was a regular in the 1st XV for a couple of seasons.

President Donnie Cunningham said: 'The whole club is delighted for Andy and it is a great honour for him to be selected and it is without doubt very much deserved.

'As always, the club will give him every backing and support. He is a very likeable young lad with an outstanding talent, and keeps his feet very much on the ground. We hope he thoroughly enjoys his inclusion in the Scotland squad and we know that he will do himself and the club proud.' Owing to the Six Nations Championship, there are no league fixtures at Fort Matilda this weekend. However, the bar will be open as normal for the small matter of the Calcutta Cup Match between Scotland and England, which will be shown live on television, kicking-off at 3pm. Members, friends and guests are invited along to support Scotland as they take on the Auld Enemy. Those of an English persuasion will also be made welcome!