TWO young Rugby stars are hoping to make an impact on the national stage after impressing in regional matches under the eyes of Glasgow Warriors coaches.
Greenock Wanderers duo, Freddie McFeate and Zak Burgess, have been going up against the best that Scottish Rugby has to offer at their age level, running out for Glasgow and the west under the flag of rugby giants Glasgow Warriors.
And over the last month, they have upped their efforts, both scoring and setting up tries in the last two games of the latest block of runouts within the regional youth set-up.
Freddie said: “Over the past year or so, Zak and I have been training with Glasgow Warriors, it’s a selection process, whittled down from about 100 to about or so.
“Those players are then split into their regions and play each other every six months or so, it’s an enjoyable experience.
“To have experienced it with Zak, who’s my pal is amazing.
"We’re good mates, it’s so good to know someone when you’re doing these things but it’s brilliant to share moments like that.
“I play as a winger or as a full back and I look up to guys like Huw Jones or even Kyle Steyn.
“I’d only watched these guys win the Champions Cup down in Johannesburg a few weeks before going up to train at Scotstoun and when we were there the trophy was out and a few of the first team players were in as well.
“I was a bit in awe, but it’s great motivation to go and give it your all.”
Zak, 15, says he is hoping that this is just the beginning as he looks to make it to the very top of the game.
And after being presented with vice-captaincy, Zak could not hide his excitement at being able to follow in the footsteps of his heroes.
You would think such a challenge would leave a high-school pupil second guessing, but not this Wanderers youth ace.
He wasted no time in asserting himself as he scored once and set up another try in his two runouts earlier this month.
He added: “The fixtures function as a way for Glasgow Warriors to look at who is coming through the youth system, and I hope that I can continue to be selected for all of them.
“That was my first two call-ups for the squads, but I managed to score a try in the first game and set up a try in the other.
“It has been a wonderful experience, playing against the best players of my age group and after being chosen as vice-captain, I really am enjoying it.
“It is a surreal thing to do, I have grown up watching the Warriors and now I’m sort of following in the footsteps of my heroes.
“To wear the same kits as them and things like that is cool. I just hope that I can continue to impress them as much as possible.”
And impress them, the duo has. Since speaking to the dynamic duo, the Tele has learned that both Freddie and Zak have been called up to represent Scotland at their age group, as their budding careers look to hit the very top.
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