Rugby
Falcons Boost Coachiong Team
28 May 2008
Newcastle Falcons has added further international quality to its ranks, with the appointment of Alan Tait to the club's coaching staff.
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.
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates welcomed Tait's addition to the Falcons staff, saying: “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.
“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.
Upon announcing his return to Kingston Park following Scotland's June tour to Argentina, he said: “My attitude as a coach is very similar to what motivated me as a player. I want to be the best.
“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."
Scoring 17 tries for Scotland in a 27-cap Test career, Tait toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 1997, starting in two Test victories and appearing in four further tour games as the Lions recorded an historic series win over the Springboks.
A star with both Widnes and Leeds in rugby league between 1988 and 1996, Tait made 16 appearances for Great Britain in the 13-man code before returning to union with Newcastle, helping the Falcons to promotion in 1997 and then lifting the Premiership trophy at the first attempt just one year later. During the 1996/7promotion season he scored four tries in seven appearances, going on to start 18 times in the title-winning campaign the following year.
After his retirement as a player in 2000 Tait embarked on a coaching career which has seen him earn international recognition as defence coach for the Scotland national team, as well as forming part of Steve Bates' staff during his time at Border Reivers.
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