Scrum Half Ruaridh Dawson Set to Return to Pirates

Cornish Pirates have confirmed that the familiar face of scrum half Ruaridh Dawson is set to make a return to the club on a one-year deal.

Born in Consett, in the north-west county of Durham, and having previously been a squad member in 2019/20, during which he made five appearances, the now 23-year-old has signed a one-year contract.

Ruaridh, who first signed for the Cornish Pirates from Newcastle Falcs in 2019, began his rugby journey as a student at Newcastle School for Boys, and also at Blaydon RFC.

He was selected to play for Northumberland county at under 16, 17 and 18 levels as well as for the Tri-County under 16s, North of England under 18s and England under 18 Counties when they won the Tri-Nations championship beating France and Ireland.

A member of the Newcastle Falcons Junior Academy, Ruaridh signed his first professional contract in 2015, going on to represent the Falcons at the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s later that summer before being called up to the England Sevens team at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa.

Having featured for the Falcons first team during 2015/16 pre-season, and playing in the Premiership, Ruaridh went on to play for Scotland under 20s, for whom he qualified through his parents.

He also represented the Scots in the 2017 Junior World Championship in Georgia, playing against eventual champions New Zealand.