Record-breaking Scottish rugby starlet's meteoric rise continues with first start in European clash

Newcastle Red Bulls fly-half Jake Dalziel has been rewarded for his impressive showing off the bench against Exeter Chiefs with a first start for the Kingston Park outfit.

The Melrose native became the club’s youngest ever PREM player when he replaced Harrison Obatoyinbo in the 27th minute of their 34-28 defeat at Sandy Park. Aged just 18 years and 54 days old, he broke the 22-year-old record previously held by England legend Mathew Tait.

He will now start in the 10 jersey for Newcastle in their EPCR Challenge Cup match away to Scarlets on Saturday night. Reviewing the match against Exeter, Red Bulls head coach Dan McFarland was full of praise for the teenager.

“Another big chance” - Newcastle Red Bulls name record breaking Scotland starlet in starting XV

He said: “Jake wasn’t even in our match-day squad until the day before the game. He hadn’t trained in the team because he wasn’t due to be playing, and then he gets brought onto the field a lot earlier than anyone probably thought due to injury to another player.

“He’s a young man with a lot to learn, as I’m sure he will admit himself, but he’s got loads of ability and he really took his opportunity. He still has a lot of growing to do, which sounds strange when he’s 6 foot 5, but he will fill out the more time he spends in our environment. He’s got a cannon of a boot, his work rate is exceptional and it was a really promising start for him.

“It’s a great honour for Jake to be the youngest ever player to represent the club in the Gallagher PREM, and he has another big chance on Saturday.”

Dalziel had already begun making a name for himself in Scottish Rugby before his move south. The stand-off was named Scotland under-20s vice-captain at the age of just 17-years-old and has already established himself as an integral part of Fergus Pringle’s team.

His form for the youth team and record breaking appearance for Newcastle has resulted in calls for the youngster to be involved with the senior Scotland team when Gregor Townsend names his squad for their November Test matches next week including from former Glasgow Warriors man Ryan Wilson.

He said: “I genuinely have no idea whether they will, but I can't see why it wouldn't be a great thing just to bring him into camp. You see a lot of these guys get brought in, even if they're on the periphery and not fully involved.

“From what I've seen with him at under-20s, the way that he controls things, and then getting his opportunity there and just not looking out of place whatsoever, I think it would be a great call for him to get the experience, get him in young. This is what you want from some of the young players that are coming through.

“You want to try and get him in, and someone as important as a 10, to get him in, to get him learning already off the likes of Finn, it will only do him good If he can get him in and give him a little bit more experience, then it helps everyone down there in Newcastle Red Bull as well.”

Get our rugby newsletter by clicking here