A SAUCHIE teenager is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Grant Gilchrist and Adam Ashe by becoming the next Wee County rugby star.

Gavin Ross, 19, will head off to New Zealand next month as part of an exchange programme with his current team Selkirk RFC.

He will play and train with his new teammates at Kirwee RFC, which is based 30 minutes from Christchurch, in the hopes of gaining experience and developing his skills.

However, his long term goals will be to emulate the success of Clacks sporting heroes Gilchrist and Ashe who have gone to earn international caps in their careers.

Gavin's mum Debbie told the Advertiser: "It's a chance of a lifetime, really, and I'm just proud as punch.

"He played football when he was younger and then started playing with Hillfoots at about 13-14.

"He went to Lornshill Academy and there was no school rugby team there.

"But Gavin was instrumental in getting the team going and that was one of things that led him to get the Grant Gilchrist award in 6th year.

"He's always looking to progress his rugby and he's wanted to go away to New Zealand since he was young.

"His aim is to go on and play at a professional level, and it's good to know that the likes of Adam Ashe and Grant are both from the Wee County and have both went on to play at the highest level."

Gavin, also lists Stirling County and Galashiels as some of the other teams has played for to date.

The youngster, who plays at full back or on the wing, was also given the Grant Gilchrist award for sporting achievement, and has helped coach youngsters during his time at Hillfoots RFC.

He will stay with his new club in New Zealand for six months initially, though he could be asked to stay on for 18 months if all goes well.

Along with two other youngsters from the Selkirk team, the former Craigbank Primary pupil will begin his journey on February 5.

For mum Debbie, the opportunity could provide the stepping stone to push Gavin into the big leagues.

She said: "He'll go over there and learn a lot; that might push him to getting picked up professionally, either there or in Scotland.

"I know which I would prefer, but if ends up staying there then I'll just have to save up the money for the ticket to go see him."