Newcastle Falcons has continued its commitment to top young English talent with the signing of Bristol centre Luke Eves.<!-- {/abstract} --> The 21-year-old joins on a two-year deal, having scored ten tries in 59 appearances over three seasons for the West Country club. Captaining England Under-20s to a Grand Slam and World Cup final, the 6 foot and 16 stone centre has crossed for five tries in his 31 club outings this season as he helped Bristol finish top of the Championship to reach the promotion play-off final.
Falcons head coach Alan Tait hailed the signing of the midfield man, saying: "Luke is widely regarded as being one of the most promising young centres in the country.
"For a young man he has an old head on his shoulders, and having already played two seasons in the Premiership he knows what it is all about at that level.
"He has helped Bristol finish top of their league this season and make the Championship play-off final, but he's looking at this move to be a springboard for his career and to ultimately push on towards his goal of representing England further down the track.
"He's definitely ambitious, and the fact that he sees Newcastle as a place where he can reach those goals is a great endorsement of what we are doing here and where we are going as a club."
An international centre himself for Scotland and the Lions, Tait said: "Luke has got all the attributes that you would want.
"He's strong, skilful, knows his way to the try line and provides a good link in the midfield for us. I envisage him mainly featuring as an inside centre, but he has the ability to play both positions which is another bonus for us.
"With the likes of Tane Tu'ipulotu, Rob Vickerman, James Fitzpatrick, Michael Tait and Gcobani Bobo also vying for selection it gives us a lot of quality and competition in that area, which has to be good thing as we look to take this team onto the next level this coming season."
Eves becomes Newcastle's eighth signing of the summer, following the previously announced arrivals of Scotland No.8 Ally Hogg, Bedford fullback Luke Fielden, Doncaster lock Glen Townson, Coventry prop James Hall, Blaydon flanker Mark Wilson, Tynedale hooker Joe Graham and Blaydon centre James Fitzpatrick.
The club has also announced new contracts for hooker Rob Vickers, fullback Alex Tait, scrum half Chris Pilgrim, flanker Will Welch and propping duo Kieran Brookes and Micky Ward.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/13737.php
Falcons head coach Alan Tait hailed the signing of the midfield man, saying: "Luke is widely regarded as being one of the most promising young centres in the country.
"For a young man he has an old head on his shoulders, and having already played two seasons in the Premiership he knows what it is all about at that level.
"He has helped Bristol finish top of their league this season and make the Championship play-off final, but he's looking at this move to be a springboard for his career and to ultimately push on towards his goal of representing England further down the track.
"He's definitely ambitious, and the fact that he sees Newcastle as a place where he can reach those goals is a great endorsement of what we are doing here and where we are going as a club."
An international centre himself for Scotland and the Lions, Tait said: "Luke has got all the attributes that you would want.
"He's strong, skilful, knows his way to the try line and provides a good link in the midfield for us. I envisage him mainly featuring as an inside centre, but he has the ability to play both positions which is another bonus for us.
"With the likes of Tane Tu'ipulotu, Rob Vickerman, James Fitzpatrick, Michael Tait and Gcobani Bobo also vying for selection it gives us a lot of quality and competition in that area, which has to be good thing as we look to take this team onto the next level this coming season."
Eves becomes Newcastle's eighth signing of the summer, following the previously announced arrivals of Scotland No.8 Ally Hogg, Bedford fullback Luke Fielden, Doncaster lock Glen Townson, Coventry prop James Hall, Blaydon flanker Mark Wilson, Tynedale hooker Joe Graham and Blaydon centre James Fitzpatrick.
The club has also announced new contracts for hooker Rob Vickers, fullback Alex Tait, scrum half Chris Pilgrim, flanker Will Welch and propping duo Kieran Brookes and Micky Ward.
http://www.guinnesspremiership.com/rugby/13737.php
