Melrose fly-half Jake Dalziel joins Newcastle Red Bulls’ academy
Melrose and Scotland under-20s fly-half Jake Dalziel has joined the band of Borderers employed by English Gallagher Prem Rugby club Newcastle Red Bulls.
The 17-year-old, son of Scotland national team forwards coach John Dalziel, has signed up with the Kingston Park club’s academy.
He joins three former Border Reivers players there – current Scotland head coach and ex-Gala back Gregor Townsend, Benetton head coach Callum MacRae and ex-Jed-Forest prop Neil McIlroy.
Townsend, 53, is a part-time consultant; McIlroy, 58, has been sporting general manager since November; and MacRae, 46, is about to return for a second stint after being appointed as defence coach.
Dalziel, a pupil at Edinburgh’s Merchiston Castle School, will be one of two former Greenyards players on the former Newcastle Falcons’ books, along with flanker Allan Ferrie.
He’s one of seven up-and-coming players given full-time rookie contracts.
The Tynesiders’ head of academy, James Ponton, said: “We had a strong under-18s cohort this season and it has been difficult selecting which players to contract on a full-time basis, but we’re really excited about this year’s intake.
“The increased number of players joining our senior academy is a reflection of the ability within the group, and we’ve really bolstered our resources as an academy to give the guys the appropriate level of coaching and infrastructure in supporting them coming through.
“It feels new and different to how the senior academy has worked before, with having such a big group, but we’re looking forward to it.
“As well as increasing our coaching and support staff, we’re also looking at getting the guys out playing more rugby alongside their programmes here, be it at clubs, universities or a combination of both.
“We’re strengthening those links all the time in putting the players’ development at the forefront because playing regular rugby is incredibly important for them.”