Keen observers may have noticed a change in Tynedale RFC’s Senior coaching squad for the coming season. Alongside the experienced team of Joe Cain, Bill Laidlaw and Tom Wilkinson the name of Scott Powell has been added.

Scott played for Tynedale 1stXV for four seasons from 2014 to 2018. A prodigious worker all over the field, he was especially adept as the No.8 in set scrums. Even when the scrum was under pressure and going backwards he had the ability to turn bad ball into good. A big strong runner from the base, with good hands and slick passing ability he somehow often managed to provide space for supporting runners, even from difficult positions.
In his four seasons at Tynedale Scott missed only 4 league matches – a quite remarkable record.

At that time Scott was Northumberland RFU Community Rugby Coach, visiting schools in the greater Tynedale area to advise and coach – a great asset to the district.

In April 2019, Scott was invited to the dream position of working part-time alongside the England team and their coaching staff for about seven months during the Six Nations Championship matches and the lead up to the World Cup 2019.

Scott then returned to his home club, Stockton RFC, and he has coached there for six years. A level 3 coach, he has also been Head Rugby Coach at Durham School recently, and their teams have flourished.

In May this year Scott underwent knee surgery. He must have been severely disabled as he allowed Peter Southern to catch up with him, and then tempt him back to Tynedale in a National League 2 coaching role.

Scott is a great acquisition for our club, and fit again, is raring to go.

Mention of Scott’s connection with Durham School prompts a need to mention further coaching news. Joe Cain has been appointed Head of Rugby at Barnard Castle School from September 2026, replacing Lee Dickson. That should add extra spice to the match when the 1st XV’s of the two schools meet at Darlington MP on Friday 20th November!

D F HAMILTON

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SCOTT POWELL - A FEW FACTS AND FIGURES
Home Club: Stockton
Previous Clubs: Stockton, Harrogate, Westoe

Tynedale Record:
Appearances: 115
Tries: 10
Yellow Cards: 6
Tynedale Debut
6th Sept 2014 – Old Albanian(H), won 11-10
Squad
Backs: Harrison, Miller, Frankland, Weightmann, Visser, Beasley, Outson
Forwards: White, nelson, Irving, Dunn, Buist, Mills, Charters, Powell
Replacements: Andrew, Westgarth, Cousin, Taylor, Parker

Tynedale Final Appearance
28th April 2018 – Chester(A), lost 33-34
Squad:
Backs: Spencer, Pike, Clark, Bramwell, Walker, Smith, Cook
Forwards: Elliott, Frankland, Wilkinson, Bell, Cousin, Mills, Cairns, Powell
Replacements: Lowdon, Baty, Richards, Dunn, Outson