BORDERER Rhys Tait made an immediate impression on his debut for Doncaster Knights against Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Saturday.

He joined the Yorkshire outfit on loan from Glasgow Warriors last week with a view of getting more game time.

The highly-rated 20-year-old from Hawick has enjoyed age-grade rugby for his country having captained Scotland U20 for the 2022 U20 Six Nations campaign.

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And his club rugby exposure includes Super6 sides Boroughmuir Bears and Southern Knights, as well as youth rugby for both Hawick and Jed-Forest.

Tait was listed among the replacements against Bedford but appeared for the second half.

Within minutes, a tremendous first carry saw the youngster charge into the Blues 22 before finding team-mate Dolly Oliver and the fly half ran in to score.

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Then moments later Oliver charged down a Bedford chip and the Borderer was first to react. After picking up the loose ball, he ran home for his first try in Doncaster Knights’ colours.

Then as the clock turned to red and the Knights seven points adrift, Tait emerged from a breakdown, leaving the Bedford defence in his wake to touch down beneath the posts leaving a simple conversion to square the match.

With this draw, and the bonus-point try, the Knights now have enough points to progress into the Championship Cup semi-final stages alongside Cornish Pirates, Ealing Trailfinders and Jersey Reds.

Tait made the move south along with teammate Max Williamson.

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Discussing the loan signings, head coach Steve Boden said: “It’s a great opportunity for Max and Rhys to put their hands up to play some competitive rugby. They’re young, hungry and ambitious, and it puts a bit of competition into our squad.

“As everyone is pretty aware, we’ve got a significant injury list at the moment, so their arrival helps offload some boys who have been playing too many minutes and will inject some competition amongst them for the fixtures ahead.

“We feel these loan deals will benefit both clubs – for Doncaster, as I’ve mentioned above, and for Glasgow Warriors, it gives a push in high-level rugby to two young, promising players.”