Coach Tait to nest with Falcons

Newcastle have announced that former Scotland and B&I Lions back Alan Tait is to join the Guinness Premiership club as part of their new coaching team.

Newcastle have announced that former Scotland and B&I Lions back Alan Tait is to join the Guinness Premiership club as part of their new coaching team.

The dual-code Lions international joins the Falcons from his role with the Scottish national team, and will focus on defence as well as skills and back line coaching.

And Newcastle Director of Rugby Steve Bates has warmly welcomed Tait's addition to the Kingston Park staff.

“Alan is someone with a tremendous knowledge of the game both from a playing and coaching perspective, and I see him as a vital part of our future plans,” he said.

“Having been an outstanding success at both league and union as a player he has transferred that to the coaching arena at international level already with his time at Scotland, including this season's Calcutta Cup victory over England.

“Alan brings outstanding characteristics to the role, and will look at our defence in a very specialist manner.

“This is an area where I believe we have needed real expert help due to the number of tries we have leaked, and with Alan's expertise we will look to see significant improvements there as well as our back play and general skills.”

A Premiership winner as a player with Newcastle back in 1998, Tait enjoyed enormous success in both league and union, with the centre becoming the first ever Scottish cap to leave for rugby league and return to the union national team.

And upon announcing his return to Kingston Park following Scotland's June tour to Argentina, Tait explained his decision.

“My attitude as a coach is very similar to what motivated me as a player. I want to be the best,” he said.

“I want to make it clear I'm not moving for money.

“The role that Scottish Rugby had offered me, where I was to be working on defence duties with the national team, the Edinburgh pro-team and, ultimately, other representative sides, was attractive but I've opted to join Newcastle because I feel at this stage of my coaching career it's what I need.

“I've been fortunate to work with some great coaches during my involvement with Scotland and like them all, Ian McGeechan, Jim Telfer and Frank Hadden, I've had some sleepless nights, because Scotland means so much to us.”