1997 British & Irish Lions back Alan Tait pops up as DoR in English fifth tier

In a major coup, Blaydon RFC have appointed former British and Irish Lions centre Alan Tait as their new director of rugby, the club have announced.

Blaydon said in a statement tht they were “delighted to announce Alan Tait as our new Director of Rugby”, describing him as “one of the most significant dual-code rugby internationals of the modern era, with an extensive career as both player and coach”.

Based in Tyne and Wear, Blaydon currently compete in Regional 1 North East, the fifth tier of the English rugby union pyramid.

They finished fifth in the division this season.

The club has a history at a higher leve though. They spent several seasons in the national leagues, including time in National One, the third tier of the English system.

Blaydon were regular contenders in the north of England in the 2000s and early 2010s, before financial and structural pressures led to a gradual slide down the leagues.

In Tait, they certainly have a DoR with unquestionable pedigree.

Tait enjoyed a distinguished playing career across both rugby union and rugby league.

The Kelso-born back won 27 caps for Scotland between 1989 and 1996 and was selected for the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

Have featured for the mid-week team, Tait scored in the opening Test as the Lions beat the Springboks 25–16 in Cape Town and also featured in the decisive 18–15 victory a week later in Durban.

Injury ruled sadly him out of the third Test, which the Lions went on to lose 35–16.

He also represented Great Britain in rugby league, having switched codes in the mid-1990s, playing for Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC.

Following his retirement, Tait moved into coaching and rugby administration, holding a number of roles within the sport at club and development level, including with Premiership outfit Newcastle Falcons between 2009 and 2012.