The 17-year-old schoolboy, who regularly fishes against seniors in the Edinburgh Winter Shore League, has travelled to Sardinia with the remainder of the seven-strong squad for the event which starts on Saturday.

Ardrossan-based Jai McKinney, another graduate from the junior ranks, is also there and it is just over 12 months since the pair were involved in winning gold for Scotland in the under-16 Home Internationals.

Glasgow-based Nuno Santos, team manager to the under-16 Scottish team, is also fishing alongside Port Seton angler, Barry McEwan, a member of the Bass Rock Shore Angling League based in East Lothian.

Billy Buckley (Uddingston) travels along with Michael Mcloughlin (Cumbernauld) and Calum Culbert (Aberdeen) and the FIPS-M 42^nd event runs until November 14 at Arborea-Oristano.

A Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers spokesman said: “All the hard work, pre-tournament preparation and hours on the beaches have led to this moment.

TRAPS SET: Eryk Janik at Newhaven, one of his regular fishing spots. Picture Nigel Duncan

FOCUS: Barry McEwan on a beach in East Lothian. Picture Nigel Duncan