Alan Tait To Leave Scottish Rugby

One of Scotland’s specialist coaches, defence expert Alan Tait, is to leave Scottish Rugby after next month’s two Test tour of Argentina. Tait, the former Kelso, Edinburgh, Scotland and British Lions centre/wing, who also won international honours during his rugby league career, has signed a three year contract to perform the assistant coach role with Newcastle Falcons, the club that he helped as a player to win the English championship ten years ago.One of Scotland’s specialist coaches, defence expert Alan Tait, is to leave Scottish Rugby after next month’s two Test tour of Argentina. Tait, the former Kelso, Edinburgh, Scotland and British Lions centre/wing, who also won international honours during his rugby league career, has signed a three year contract to perform the assistant coach role with Newcastle Falcons, the club that he helped as a player to win the English championship ten years ago. Tait takes up his duties at Kingston Park on 1 July and will be rejoining forces with Newcastle’s Director of Rugby, Steve Bates, with whom he first worked as a player and more recently as an assistant coach at the Border Reivers. Tait said: My attitude as a coach is very similar to what motivated me as a player. I want to be the best. This has not been an easy decision to make but if one day I’m to be the head coach of Scotland I need to get much more day-to-day coaching experience and test myself in the Guinness Premiership, which has evolved so much since I played in England’s top flight competition. 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, Geech, Jim and Frank, I’ve had some sleepless nights, because Scotland means so much to us. I’ll give my all with Frank, Sean Lineen, Andy Robinson and Duncan Hodge, over the next few weeks and the two Tests in Argentina and thereafter I’ll look forward to working with Steve again and aim to improve as a coach at the Falcons. Frank Hadden said: I wish Alan all the best and thank him for his tremendous contribution to Scottish Rugby.