The England Saxons scrum half helped England to lift the 2007 Churchill Cup, scoring a try on his debut against USA after a remarkable tug-of-war for his services.

Born in Germany to an English mother and Scottish father, Dickson had represented Scotland Under-19s before switching allegiance to England Under-21s.

Selected in both the Scotland ‘A’ and England Saxons squads for the 2007 Churchill Cup, he eventually opted for the latter and helped them clinch silverware at the first attempt.

Dickson made his Falcons first team debut as a replacement against Saracens in the 2004/5 season, also coming on against London Wasps and Leicester later that campaign.

In 2005 the former Barnard Castle schoolboy captained the successful Falcons Academy Sevens squad to the titles in Hawick, Langholm and Selkirk, before being named Academy player of the season for 2004/5.

Having started the 2005/6 season in similarly effective style, an anterior cruciate ligament injury was to rule him out of most of the campaign, as he underwent a knee reconstruction which also forced him to miss the Under-21s Six Nations and World Cup.

In characteristically determined fashion, however, Dickson’s determination to come back stronger from such a serious injury saw him excel upon his return to first team action to earn his Saxons recognition.

 

School/university: Barnard Castle School

Nicknames: Dicko, Muscles, Soggy (son of Gatesy)

Favourite TV show: Prison Break, The OC

Favourite film: Good Will Hunting

Favourite music: I love all music

Favourite food: Nandos

Most like to meet: Steven Gerrard

Least like to meet: Charlie off Big Brother

Best moment in rugby: My first start for Newcastle and my first England Saxons cap

Best moment outside of rugby: Playing squash for England

Favourite place to visit: Anywhere hot

Team-mate least like to share a room with and why: Ed Williamson. Stinks.

I love: Food

I hate: The cold