COUNTY rugby starlet Lewis Carmichael has set his sights on winning an international cap, despite not having made his professional debut.

The North Berwick youngster signed professional terms with Edinburgh Rugby last month, and has set himself the lofty target of winning a Test cap.

The 21-year-old former age-grade international played for the Scotland Club International side earlier this season but wants to go "the full way."

He said: "I think as a young Scottish player, you always want to go on and play for Scotland.

"I have represented the under-20s but I would like to go the full way and get a cap.

"That would probably be the goal for my career."

Carmichael, an ex-North Berwick High School pupil hopes a good pre-season will allow him to stake his claim for a place in the squad next season.

"I want to have a good pre-season, get stronger and put some weight on.

"Last season was my first in a professional environment and it was really different, so I'm just hoping to have a good pre-season."

The former BT Academy player, who was training with the squad all season, played in a bounce match against Glasgow Warriors last November, against the likes of Scotland caps Duncan Weir, Chris Fusaro and Tyrone Holmes.

And Carmichael has set his sights on making it into Alan Solomons' squad next season.

He said: "I want to really push to get in the matchday squads next season.

"I would love to play against Glasgow, as our main rivals, but I'd love to just get in the squad to play anyone – there's not a particular team."

The Capital club announced last week that lock Alex Toolis, twin brother of Scotland cap Ben, is to leave this summer.

That still leaves former Scotland captain Grant Gilchrist, Toolis, South African enforcer Anton Bresler and Scotland A cap Fraser McKenzie as Carmichael's opposition for a locking berth.

When he signed professional terms, Carmichael became the third county-based player at the club, joining another ex-North Berwick ace Chris Dean, and Scotland international Tom Brown, who was schooled at Law Primary School.