RUGBY UNION: "I can't wait to get to Perth” is the reaction from The Scots PGC College student Will Dearden, who is set to sign a scholarship with the Future Force Foundation in Western Australia, an arm of the Western Force Super Rugby franchise.

Dearden, 17, and his parents, Chris and Kathy, will head to Perth at the end of this month to finalise arrangements for his move west. He is set to sign with the foundation in the next week.

He has a two-year scholarship to play in the national under-20 competition, which starts in March.

Dearden, who graduates from Scots PGC this year, will be affiliated with a club in Perth for club rugby and travel to other competitions with the Force U20s. Last season, the U20s played in Mauritius.

"My aim is to play super rugby with the Force but will be in the U20s for two seasons,” he said.

"I love the lineouts and scrums.

"Rugby coach Damien Cahill has taken me under his wing with my rugby at Scots PGC and the Savovski brothers, Anthony and Vlad, have really helped me.”

Rugby league was his winter footy focus and other than a game of rugby here and there with the school, he didn't take rugby union seriously until this year.

He was noticed at the Queensland Schoolboy Trials and the Dearden family received phone calls from five premier grade rugby clubs, including Sydney powerhouse Randwick as well as the Western Force.”

Cahill said Dearden dominated in the lineouts for both the school and Warwick in B-grade Darling Downs rugby union this season.

"He is a special kid and is 199cm tall and still growing at age 17,” Cahill said.

"Will has good footwork and is quite quick for a big unit.

"It is amazing for Will to be signing a contract with a professional club at the end of year 12 after only one season of serious rugby union.”

Dearden played for the Warwick U18 rugby league team, which made the grand final this season. He has also impressed with his pace bowling in Warwick cricket.

"I am grateful for the support of my parents and siblings, Hadley and Rose, who have sat through many days of state carnivals,” he said.