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| Scottish Pair Signs Up |
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| 26 June 2009, 5:00 am |
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| Newcastle Falcons has completed a double border raid, with the signing of Scotland Under-20s prop Grant Shiells and Scotland Under-19s centre Michael Tait. |
Both players join the Falcons from Kelso on two-year full-time contracts, and are already in training with their new team-mates.
Shiells, 19, makes the move to Newcastle fresh from starring for Scotland in this month's IRB Under-20s World Cup in Japan, with the 6ft 1 prop being a former Kelso High School pupil.
Centre Tait also joins from the Kelso club, with the 19-year-old having appeared for Scotland at Under-19s, 18s and 17s levels.
Michael comes from renowned rugby stock, with father Alan having won 27 caps for Scotland as well as being a dual-code British Lion.
Falcons director of rugby, Steve Bates, said: "Grant and Michael are quite rightly regarded as two of the best young players in Scotland, so naturally we are delighted that both of them have decided to come to Newcastle.
"Grant showed during the Under-20s World Cup what a destructive prop forward he can be, whilst Michael's physicality and running ability in the centres will make him another good acquisition for us.
"Both players are young and still have plenty of learning to do, but this is a great environment in which to do that, and for them to realise their full potential."
GRANT SHIELLS FACTFILE:
Position: Prop
Born: 23/9/89
Height: 6ft 1
Weight: 17 stone
Previous clubs: Kelso
Honours: Scotland Under-20s, 19s
MICHAEL TAIT FACTFILE:
Position: Centre
Born: 7/5/90
Height: 6ft 1
Weight: 14 stone 5
Previous clubs: Kelso
Honours: Scotland U17s/18s/19s |
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