Meanwhile, as Scottish club rugby prepares for the new season, Glasgow Hawks yesterday unveiled a new full-time club development manager, Grant Talbot, a former SRU and Leicester development officer, as part of ambitious plans to develop youth rugby in the communities of North and West Glasgow.

The club said that the initiative, which has secured sponsorship from the Bank of Ireland, was the first step in the Hawks' plans to establish a "high-quality rugby development programme aimed at producing top quality players who will hopefully move up to the professional ranks".

Hawks president Kenny Hamilton said: "This is a very exciting day for Hawks and for the future of youth rugby in Glasgow. The club is committed to developing rugby in the wider community and our plans for a Hawks' Rugby Development Programme will provide players with the best possible chance for success."

This article was posted on 22-Aug-2007, 07:01 by Hugh Barrow.