A DREAM of playing for Scotland has edged a step closer for a teenage rugby star.

Christian Lindsay was among the Scotland under-18s players gaining experience alongside their counterparts from Ireland, Italy and Wales over the last week.

The training camp, which took place in Dublin, offered Lindsay an insight into what the future could hold for him.

He said: “It’s always been my goal to play for Scotland, which is why I loved being in the national camps so much.

“Throughout my rugby journey, it’s been about Scotland for me. Representing Scotland under-18s is great and I’d love to play for the men’s team one day.

“Honestly, I want to go as far as I can go.

“Growing up, watching the likes of Hamish Watson and Richie Gray in the Scotland forward pack, the way they played the game was what made me fall in love with it and it’s what I often try to emulate.

“Watching them make big carries and big tackles, that’s what really inspired me as a kid.”

Lindsay described the training camp as “intense” and felt it had been massively worthwhile for him.

He was part of the Scotland squad for this year’s under-18s Six Nations men’s festival, featuring in all three games.

Speaking about the Six Nations event earlier this year, where Scotland defeated Georgia and Italy, as well as tasting defeat against England, he said: “It was amazing spending that 10-11 days out there with the team.

“Seeing the whole team come together and the hard work that went in for the month beforehand and going out there with a great group of lads was brilliant, and fortunately we managed to win two of our three games against Georgia and Italy.

“Even in the England game, there were definitely positives that we can take out of that performance for next year if we face them again, and that’s really exciting for me.”

A promising lock forward, Lindsay explained his journey in rugby, starting round the corner from the house he grew up in right through to his third season representing his region.

He told Scottish Rugby: “I’ve been playing rugby since the age of about three or four.

“I played with North Berwick minis, which is about a 15-minute drive away from my house, all the way through to P7 with my dad coaching me.

“Then I went to Loretto School and played my rugby there, up to this year where I played first-team rugby under Andrew Binikos and Andrew Barnett, they’ve been large contributors to my rugby development and they’re great coaches.

“I’ve played for the Borders & East Lothian academy for three years, which has allowed me to really push forward with my rugby.”

And the opportunity to push on and develop continues as Lindsay makes the transition into Edinburgh Rugby’s academy this summer, moving into the professional environment with the chance to train with some of the best in his position in the country.

He added: “I’m definitely excited.

“It’s a little bit nerve-wracking stepping into that professional environment, but it’s an opportunity for me to take that next step in my rugby career amongst some great players.”