New job for Kelso rugby legend Alan Tait south of border

The 27-times-capped former Scotland international has been appointed as director of rugby at English Regional 1 North East club Blaydon.

That new role in Gateshead is his third in North-East England following two years playing as a centre at the old Newcastle Falcons, from 1996 to 1998, and three as their head coach, from 2009 to 2012.

Welcoming the 61-year-old aboard, his new employers said: “Blaydon are delighted to announce Alan Tait as our new director of rugby.

“Alan is one of the most significant dual-code rugby internationals of the modern era, with an extensive career as both player and coach.

“After retiring, he moved into coaching, specialising in defence.

“He served as head coach of Newcastle Falcons from 2009 to 2012 and has since worked extensively in Scottish rugby development.

“Most recently, he coached with Southern Knights in the Fosroc Super Series, supporting high-performance player progression within the Scottish pathway.”

Tait, head coach at Southern Knights for their 2023 season after joining the now-defunct Melrose-based team as defence coach the year before, said: “I have fond memories of Blaydon, having signed James Fitzpatrick and Mark Wilson whilst I was at Newcastle.

“It’s a great club and hopefully we can build a squad and coaching team that can challenge for promotion.”

James Houghton, rugby chairman at the 1888-founded club, added: “We are delighted to be bringing in someone of Alan Tait’s calibre and experience to the club as director of rugby.

“We are aspiring to develop the club as a whole and this is a key appointment on that journey.

“We are looking to build on our excellent coaching team and add to our talented young squad to help us bring success to Blaydon.”

Blaydon finished last season fifth in their 12-team fifth-tier league on 58 points from 22 fixtures, 44 points shy of pole position and promotion to England’s National League 2 North.

Besides his 27 caps for Scotland’s national rugby union team between 1987 and 1999 and two tests for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 1997, Tait has represented his homeland and Great Britain at rugby league, the former four times in 1995 and 1996 and the latter in 14 games between 1989 and 1993.

Tait, a roofer by trade, also played rugby union for Edinburgh from 1998 to 2000 as well for the Tynesiders, now renamed Newcastle Red Bulls, and Kelso.

Those union assignments sandwiched eight years playing rugby league in England, for Widnes from 1988 to 1992 and Leeds from 1992 to 1996.

Following his retiral from playing in 2000, his first coaching role was as an assistant with the Scottish national team and he later worked for the Borders, a short-lived successor to the Galashiels-based Border Reivers, before heading back south of Hadrian’s Wall to Newcastle.