Gala youngster Harris Rutherford signs for San Diego Legion

The 20-year-old fly half, who is eligible through American-born grandfather Dave Wood, will play Major League Rugby in 2024.

READ MORE: Borders College donates 'obsolete' phones to NHS Borders

Rutherford attended Galashiels Academy where he played rugby and cricket and still stays with his parents, Andrew and Debbie, and two brothers, Finlay and Mack.

He said: “I can’t wait to get started. I leave for San Diego on January 2 and will have a pre-season across there.

“I’ll need to get used to the hot weather and my mum is already talking about coming over.

READ MORE: UK Chancellor announces additional £20m funding for SBC

“It’s a professional contract and the standard is close to the Premiership.

“There is a number of Samoans and Fijians playing in the league so the physicality is definitely pro standard.”

Rutherford joined Gala Rugby aged just six and played through the ages up to the first team before joining the Southern Knights.

He also played age-grade rugby for the Edinburgh U18s and U20s, as well as for the Scotland U16s, 17s, and 20s.

READ MORE: Police officers remain at former Selkirk mill after raid

In 2019 he played in a regional U16s tournament in Wales and then toured with the U17s that year to Valladolid, Spain.

He played for the U20s in the Six Nations U20s Championship in 2023 but is now too old for the squad.

“I played for Gala for two years and signed for Southern Knights initially for the Sprint then for the campaign,” he said. “I’ve just finished the series and will be playing for the Steelers, an invitational team at Dubai Sevens.

“Then I’ll probably have a mini pre-season over here before I travel and may try to play a couple of games for Gala, but nothing's decided yet.”

San Diego Legion play at the 35,000 capacity Snapdragon Stadium situated on the campus of San Diego State University in Mission Valley.

Last season they won the Western Conference with 15 victories and one defeat in 16 games.

Head coach and director of rugby Danny Lee said: “We are happy to announce the new signing of Harris Rutherford.

“Harris heads our way from Scotland where he has come through the Scottish pathway, most recently representing Scotland U20s.

“He has an American-born grandfather and therefore has his eyes firmly set on representing the USA Eagles in the future.

“We will look to aid his growth, passion and goals going forward here at Legion.”

Rutherford was one of four signings announced by the club.

The others were Fijian-born hooker, former USA Eagles U20s Cyrille Cama, New Zealand-born lock forward and blindside flanker Jay Tuivaiti and former Utah Warriors winger James Vaifale.

Former school Galashiels Academy posted: “Congratulations and good luck to Harris Rutherford who has just left school and signed his first professional rugby contract for San Diego rugby. He will play for the next season in America.”