Scots trio in GB & Ire team

THREE Scots - James Byrne, Michael Stewart and Ross Kellett - have earned berths in the Great Britain & Ireland team that will face the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy in Italy next week.

The selection is a boost for the trio as the countdown starts for next year's Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, with Kellett in particular sure to be delighted with his inclusion in a nine-strong team.

Byrne's inclusion wasn't in any doubt on the strength of him reaching the final of this year's Amateur Championship at Muirfield. Stewart, meanwhile, has run into form at just the right time.

Joining the Scots in the team for the two-day match next Friday and Saturday at Castelconturbia, near Milan, will be five Englishmen, Laurie Canter, Tom Lewis, Matthew Nixon, Eddie Pepperell and Darren Wright, as well as Ireland's Paul Cutler. Two Scots - Craigielaw's Grant Forrest and Scott Gibson of Southerness - are in the GB&I team for the boys' equivalent, the Jacques Leglise Trophy, which is being held at the same venue at the same time.