Jake Dalziel, son of Scotland forwards coach John, made an impressive debut for Newcastle Red Bulls at the weekend

The search for Finn Russell’s successor in Scotland has long been a topic of conversation but in 18-year-old Jake Dalziel, they might just have the long-term answer.

That is the view of former Scotland back-rower Ryan Wilson, who was hugely impressed with the teenager’s professional debut for Newcastle Red Bulls at the weekend. A late call-up for the long trip down to Exeter Chiefs, Dalziel became the club’s youngest-ever player when he was called into action in the first half, helping set up a try for Christian Wade almost as soon as he came on.

It followed some stellar displays for Scotland U20s this year, while playing two years up, and the son of current Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel, who was an assistant with the Lions last year in Australia, earned rave 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 this year’s 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.

“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.”

While the fly-half has played less than an hour of senior rugby, the way he looked at ease at the highest level bodes well for his long-term future, with a potential European debut away to the Scarlets to come this weekend in the Challenge Cup. And although Russell is still very much the main man as Scotland look to build on a strong start to the Nations Championship in the summer, Wilson is not averse to seeing Dalziel given a taste of the senior squad this November.

He added: “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.

“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.”