Former Scotland back-rower Ryan Wilson believes 18-year-old Jake Dalziel could be the long-term answer to the search for Finn Russell's successor, after the teenager's impressive professional debut for Newcastle Red Bulls at the weekend.
Dalziel, son of Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel, was a late call-up for the trip to Exeter Chiefs and became the club's youngest-ever player when he came on in the first half, helping set up a try for Christian Wade almost immediately.
High praise from Wilson
Dalziel followed up strong performances for Scotland U20s this year, playing two years up, and earned glowing reviews from Wilson.
"I actually went back to have a little watch, he looks the real deal," said Wilson, part of the Premier Sports team broadcasting the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. "We spoke about him on the podcast we do, Maul or Nothing, and I said to the boys about a year back, keep your eyes on this bloke."
Potential senior call-up
Wilson added: "Obviously I know JD, his old man, pretty well and everything I'm hearing, playing up a few age grades and the other stuff he's doing at the under-20s, is positive. What an exciting team for him to slot into down there. He didn't look out of place at all down in Newcastle. He looked like the real deal. He just looked like he doesn't miss a beat. I reckon your next sort of stand-in for Finn Russell, once he's done and dusted and made a few more millions out of Eddie Hearn, up steps Jake Dalziel."
Dalziel has played less than an hour of senior rugby, but his composure at the highest level bodes well, with a potential European debut away to the Scarlets this weekend in the Challenge Cup. While Russell remains Scotland's main man, Wilson is open to Dalziel being given a taste of the senior squad in November.
Experience for the future
"I genuinely have no idea whether they will, but I can't see why it wouldn't be a great thing just to bring him into camp. You see a lot of these guys get brought in, even if they're on the periphery and not fully involved," Wilson said.
"From what I've seen with him at Under-20s, the way that he controls things, and then getting his opportunity there and just not looking out of place whatsoever, I think it would be a great call for him to get the experience, get him in young. This is what you want from some of the young players that are coming through. You want to try and get him in, and someone as important as a 10, to get him in, to get him learning already off the likes of Finn, it will only do him good.
"And he's got a good head on him, from what I've heard. His old man is an absolute legend as well, so I'm sure some of that will have rubbed off on him."
