Young Gun: Ruaridh Dawson – Newcaslte scrum-half

The step up from school to men's rugby is not an easy one to make as Ruaridh Dawson found out – but the tyro No.9 is coming to terms with it.
The 18-year-old joined the Falcons junior academy last season but he made big waves at U18s level and the club was quick to offer him a place in the senior academy for the upcoming season.
In between it's been a busy summer for lad. He made his first team debut against Georgia, took part in the Premiership Sevens, and last month flew to Samoa for the Youth Commonwealth Sevens with England U18s, where they finished fourth.
Now back in the swing of things, he has been working hard in training and his efforts were rewarded yesterday being named on the Falcons bench as they travelled to Northampton.
“Joining the academy full-time has been a shock to the system but I'm starting to get used to it now,” he told TRP.
“I'm training full-time with Newcastle and go to Blaydon on Tuesday and Thursday nights. I also play for them on the weekend which is very good for me.
“It gives me the game time I need to get used to playing men's rugby. It's a big step up from school rugby with a lot of big guys running at me around the fringes.
“Playing against Georgia for my debut was pretty special and I also got a bit of game time in the Kings of the North tournament which was brilliant.
“The main plan for this year is to play well for Blaydon and earn a new deal.”
Dawson played football in his early years but, with Blaydon RFC only a short walk form his parents' home, his teacher Lee Hogarth suggested rugby might be the sport for him and he switched at the age of 14.
It didn't take long to get noticed and he represented Northumberland U15. Three years later he was picked up by the Falcons.
His involvement with England U18s in Samoa meant he missed the start of the National League season but, after two appearances against Richmond and Plymouth Albion, he is looking to keep improving his game as well as making the No.9 shirt his own.
“Work rate is the biggest thing for me. The pace of the game is a lot faster than school rugby and I need to get the ball out quickly.
“But it's not just about getting to the ruck. I need to be fit enough to get there quickly and then also deliver a nice pass to my fly-half.
“I'm 78 kilos now but I'd like to get up to 85 to cope with the physicality of the game. It's a long process though and I have to be careful not to put it on too quickly.
“Blaydon is my home club so I'd love to play as much as I can for them and become a regular starter this season. They've been great since I started playing rugby so I'd like to give something back to them.”