Peter Walton (rugby union)

Peter Walton

Birth name	Peter Walton
Date of birth	(1969-06-03)3 June 1969
Place of birth	Alnwick, England
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	18 st 0 lb (252 lb; 114 kg)
School	Merchiston Castle School Royal Agricultural College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1988–1991 1992 1993–1995 1995–2000 Alnwick RFC Newcastle Gosforth Northampton Saints Newcastle Falcons () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1994–1999 Scotland 24 (20) Coaching career Years Team 2000–2008 2008– Newcastle Falcons England U18 Assistant Coach

Peter Walton (born 3 June 1969) was an English-born rugby union player who won 24 caps playing in the back-row for the Scottish rugby union side between 1994 and 1999, despite uncertainty as to whether he was eligible for Scotland, given a lack of Scottish ancestry. He was educated at Merchiston Castle School, and played club rugby for both Northampton Saints and Newcastle Falcons. At Newcastle he made 15 appearances as they won the 1997-98 Premiership. He was forced to retire due to injury in June 2000. He was assistant coach, Academy Coach and Head for Newcastle Falcons between 2000 and 2008. Since 2008 he has been Assistant Coach with England U18 during which they won three consecutive Grand Slams and had a sequence of 19 victories.

International selection

Under World Rugby rules, regulation 8 on international eligibility is clarified under Guidline 17. It states that periods of residence as a child are unlikely to provide enough evidence of a genuine and credible link but then gives exceptions where a genuine and credible link can be demonstrated. Also residence does not have to be immediately prior to selection but the child must have reached the age of majority in the country.

Walton spent 7 years in Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. He played for and captained Scottish Schoolboys in Rugby. However he was initially told that this would not be enough for play for Scotland internationally so then played for England Under 19s. Walton states he felt Scottish and that the English players called him 'Jock'.

He was then selected by Scotland on the basis that his 7 years schooling in Scotland gave him a genuine and credible link to the nation. At the time he was living in England but since under Guideline 17 his residence needed not be immediately prior to selection.

The Home Nations have since agreed that 5 years schooling is enough to provide a genuine and credible link to allow international selection in international football.

External links

• Peter Walton management profile Newcastle Falcons
• RFU Coaches Profile RFU