Hawick’s Scott MacLeod, pictured in September, played for Newcastle Falcons from 2012 to 2016 and has coached there since (Photo: Jack Thomas/Getty Images)placeholder image
Hawick’s Scott MacLeod, pictured in September, played for Newcastle Falcons from 2012 to 2016 and has coached there since (Photo: Jack Thomas/Getty Images)

​In photos: Borderers on the ball for the former Newcastle Falcons

By Darin Hutson
Published 26th Feb 2026, 14:46 GMT
Updated 24th Apr 2026, 12:26 GMT

Outgoing Newcastle Red Bulls lineout coach Scott MacLeod is just one of a long line of Borderers to have played or otherwise worked for the English top-flight team over the years, including the likes of fellow Scotland internationals Doddie Weir, Gary Armstrong, Gregor Townsend and Alan Tait.

Here’s a look back at some of the others …

See also …

https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/hawicks-scott-macleod-leaving-english-gallagher-prem-side-newcastle-red-bulls-as-part-of-coaching-shake-up-5596274

and …

https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/newcastle-red-bulls-to-contest-this-years-melrose-sevens-20-years-on-from-greenyards-win-5503306

Scotland head coach and former Gala back Gregor Townsend, pictured at a training session for the national team at the Oriam in Edinburgh this month, has been a part-time consultant with Newcastle Red Bulls since October (Photo: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group/SRU)

1. Borderers at Newcastle Falcons

Scotland head coach and former Gala back Gregor Townsend, pictured at a training session for the national team at the Oriam in Edinburgh this month, has been a part-time consultant with Newcastle Red Bulls since October (Photo: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group/SRU) Photo: Ross MacDonald/SNS Group/SRU

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Blainslie’s Doddie Weir, with Newcastle Falcons from 1995 to 2002, playing for the Tynesiders in 1999’s Tetley’s Bitter Cup final against Wasps at London’s Twickenham Stadium in May of that year (Photo: Stu Forster/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)

2. Borderers at Newcastle Falcons

Blainslie’s Doddie Weir, with Newcastle Falcons from 1995 to 2002, playing for the Tynesiders in 1999’s Tetley’s Bitter Cup final against Wasps at London’s Twickenham Stadium in May of that year (Photo: Stu Forster/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive) Photo: Stu Forster/Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

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Kelso’s Alan Tait, pictured playing in a 50-8 win for Newcastle Falcons away to Bristol in December 1997, was on their books as a player from 1996 to 1998 and from 2009 to 2012 as a coach (Photo: David Rogers/Allsport via Getty Images)

3. Borderers at Newcastle Falcons

Kelso’s Alan Tait, pictured playing in a 50-8 win for Newcastle Falcons away to Bristol in December 1997, was on their books as a player from 1996 to 1998 and from 2009 to 2012 as a coach (Photo: David Rogers/Allsport via Getty Images) Photo: David Rogers/Allsport via Getty Images

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Melrose’s Calum MacRae, pictured in August 2013, was a skills coach at Newcastle Falcons from 2011 to 2014 and is currently head coach at Italian side Benetton, though he's leaving there at the end of this season (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

4. Borderers at Newcastle Falcons

Melrose’s Calum MacRae, pictured in August 2013, was a skills coach at Newcastle Falcons from 2011 to 2014 and is currently head coach at Italian side Benetton, though he's leaving there at the end of this season (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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Related topics:BorderersNewcastle FalconsScotlandAlan TaitGregor TownsendDoddie Weir
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