Falcons bring in new hooker

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Worcester Warriors hooker Ben Sowrey has become Newcastle's sixth new signing for next season, the Falcons have announced.

The 24-year-old front-row is relishing a return to his native north of England as the Falcons continue to build for the coming campaign.

"Newcastle is a major northern club, and that is important to me," he said.

"They represent the north in the Aviva Premiership, that is a big draw and I like what the club stands for. I am after an opportunity, Newcastle is a club which is set up to go places and I just want to be a part of that. It is a huge opportunity."

Playing three times for the Warriors in this season's Premiership and a further five in the Challenge Cup, he said: "I came through the clubs route rather than playing any schools rugby, playing through a number of the Yorkshire clubs.

"I went from Harrogate to Wharfedale to start off with, from there to Doncaster on my first professional contract then to Rotherham and Worcester, where I have been for the past two years."

Outlining what he hopes to add to the Falcons' squad, Sowrey said: "I would say I bring a lot of energy. I like to graft and do my job, I can bring leadership when needs be and I just want to get stuck in.

"The chance to play on Newcastle’s synthetic pitch is also a big draw. Worcester have got a similar training field at the moment which we use quite a lot, so it is a surface I’m used to. I think it suits my game, I like to play at a quick tempo and that kind of pitch definitely appeals to me.

"For me now it is all about getting up to Newcastle and getting a good pre-season under my belt. I want to start and mix with the boys, hopefully get some game time during the pre-season friendlies and take it from there."

Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: "Ben is a quality player and we look forward to his arrival for pre-season. He is a strong scrummager, a good line-out technician, very skilful and our sort of all-round player."

Sowrey's signing comes on the back of five previously-announced acquisitions – England Sevens scrum-half Sam Egerton, Leicester Tigers wing/centre Vereniki Goneva, Jersey prop Sam Lockwood, Yorkshire Carnegie fly-half Joel Hodgson and Ealing Trailfinders back-five forward Harrison Orr.