GLASGOW WARRIORS will hold a festival of rugby tonight as the future stars of tomorrow get a chance to shine.

Before this evening's GUINNESS PRO12 match with Zebre, the Scotstoun club will host eight schools who will take part in the Glasgow City Schools event geared at promoting participation in rugby through state schools in the city.

Shawlands Academy, St Andrew's RC Secondary, Hyndland Secondary, Jordanhill, King's Park Secondary, St Roch's Secondary, All Saints Secondary and Holyrood Secondary are all set to participate before later getting the chance to watch Glasgow in action and meet some of the players.

One of the Warriors aces they may rub shoulders with is Duncan Weir, who played in such a tournament himself at the tender age of 16.

Seven years on the former Cathkin High School is not also a regular in Gregor Townsend's team but has also gone on to be a familiar face for his country.

And speaking to SportTimes, Weir expressed the importance of such an event in encouraging young talent to flourish.

He said: "I played in a high school event and it was great. We got two players along for the day and they were our coaches.

"It was a good chance to interact with the players. I even got a picture with Al Kellock giving me a trophy! It was first time I met everybody at the club and I later went on to sign a few years later.

"At a young age it's a positive thing to get a bond with the club at an early age. I had already supported them so I was a bit nervous, but it was a nice way to hopefully catch the eye.

"Hopefully there will be guys there tonight who will enjoy it just the same."

The event kicks off at 5.15 at the back pitches at Scotstoun to allow the participants the chance to get ready for the main attraction at 7.35pm.

Alex Edmonstone, the Scottish Rugby Schools & Youth Development Manager for Glasgow North, is confident it will be a worthwhile experience for all involved.

He said: "It's lots of schools from not traditional rugby playing schools to play more often and to do it competitively.

"It will be 10-a-side so it should give all the kids involved a good environment.

"We have a great link with Glasgow Warriors and they do a lot for schools across the west of Scotland. Hosting such an event allows kids the opportunity to see what the pinnacle of the sport is all about, and that can only be a good thing for everybody involved."