RUGBY star Lewis Carmichael has his sights firmly set on making his Scotland debut after being selected for the summer tour.

Carmichael, from North Berwick, was earlier this month picked in the 33-man squad that will play Canada, USA and Argentina next month.

The Edinburgh Rugby man is determined to seize his opportunity, with the likes of fellow second row Jonny Gray rested for the tour.

The 23-year-old, a product of North Berwick Rugby Club, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be in the squad and I can’t wait for the tour.

“Fingers-crossed I get some game time and can get that first cap.”

Carmichael told Courier Sport how he found out the news of his maiden international call-up, saying: “Gregor [Townsend, head coach] phoned me the day before the squad was announced.

“He said that [the coaches] had been watching me over the last couple of months and they were impressed and that they wanted me to go on tour.”

Despite his first call-up, Carmichael has been around the national team on a semi-regular basis in the last 12 months.

The 6ft 5in lock added: “I trained with the squad for eight or nine days during last year’s summer tour – I was in Australia [on loan at the now-defunct Western Force] and although I did not play it was good to be around the squad and get a feel for what it’s like being on tour.

“Then I helped out with training during the autumn internationals when Richie Gray was out injured and I had a one-to-one with Gregor then. He told me that my target should be to earn a place on the summer tour so I’m just pleased that all my hard work has paid off.”

Carmichael also heaped praise on Richard Cockerill, the head coach at Edinburgh, for aiding his development this season.

He has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season – including first starts in the European Challenge Cup and Guinness Pro14.

Carmichael said: “Richard has given me a lot of opportunities this year and if I did not have them I wouldn’t be going on this tour.

“It has been nice to be getting as much game time.”

And on the prospect of facing Canada, USA and Argentina, he added: “They are all well-known for being physical in the forwards. It will be a tough tour but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Carmichael may be joined by his “biggest fans”, parents Margaret and Bill, who live on North Berwick’s Highfield Road.

“They are at all the [Edinburgh] games and I’ve spoken to my dad – they’re talking about coming but they’ve not decided yet, he said.”

Carmichael already has Scotland U18, U20 and Club International honours, but he hopes that in the weeks to come he will add a senior Scotland cap to his already-impressive CV.