TYNEDALE Rugby Club’s charismatic director of rugby, Scott Lawson, has quit the club to take up a new post at St Andrew’s University in his native Scotland.

The hooker – part of the Scotland squad which beat England to win the Calcutta Cup in March – has announced his retirement from professional rugby, after a career which began at his native Biggar and saw him play for Melrose, Glasgow Warriors, Sale Sharks, Gloucester and London Irish before joining Newcastle Falcons in the summer of 2013.

The 36 year old took over at Tynedale two years ago, when the club was at a low ebb, fighting to stave off a second successive relegation, while playing their home games at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park ground because Tynedale Park was under eight feet of water, courtesy of Storm Desmond.

But since those dark days, Lawson has been instrumental in turning Tynedale around, winning their first nine games of the season on the spin, and finishing a creditable third in National League Division Two North.

Tynedale’s chairman of rugby Mike Fieldhouse said this week: “Scott leaves us in a far better position, both as a team and club, and this is in no small measure to his input not only as a coach, but also his involvement at all levels and with many aspects of the club that may have not have been generally appreciated. We wish Scotty and his family all the best for the future and safe to say, we will miss them all.”

“Lawson has agreed to assist us in finding his replacement and briefing the new incumbent in all aspects of the role.”

He added that Scott wanted to pass on his thanks to every member of the club, but in particular would like to say how much he has enjoyed working with such a hardworking and dedicated group of players.