Rugby: Golden boy Maltman signs professional deal with Moseley

ONE of Scotland's brightest young talents is leaving the Capital for English Championship side Moseley, it has been confirmed.

Heriot's back-row Michael Maltman, one of the stand-out players in Premier One last season as well as a mainstay of the Scotland under-20s side of late, has signed a one-year professional deal with the Birmingham-based outfit.

The 19-year-old stated to the Evening News midway through last season his desire to head south following the IRB Junior World Championships in Argentina last month and he starts pre-season with Moseley on Monday.

Today he said: "I am delighted to have finally got everything sorted out and I am just looking forward to getting started at the club. I felt last season that I was improving every week and I want to continue that progression in the Championship. It will be a test for me, but an opportunity I had to grasp with both hands." A product of Musselburgh, Maltman played at the club until the start of the 2009-10 campaign.

While at the club he played for Scotland at under-17, 18 and 19 level and was involved in an amazing four national age-grade finals for them. Last summer he moved to Heriot's and his game moved on a level under the watchful eyes of Bob McKillop and Roddy Deans. He started the season flying for the Goldenacre men before a leg break in October stopped him in his tracks. However, he recovered in time to play for Scotland in the under-20s Six Nations.

He then played a handful more matches for Heriot's before last month's tournament in Argentina.

"I have been lucky to work with some great people both at Musselburgh and Heriot's over recent years and I am indebted to them for helping me get this move," Maltman added.