duo sign four-year deals with Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons have received a huge boost ahead of the new season with the news that club captain Will Welch and back-row comrade Mark Wilson have both signed four-year contracts.

“It is a massive endorsement of what we are doing that two of our top players have chosen to commit for this length of time, and Will and Mark typify everything we are about as a club," said director of rugby Dean Richards delighted on retaining the duo.

Wilson, the 26-year-old Cumbrian who was the top tackler in last season’s Premiership.

Welch became the Falcons’ youngest ever captain when he assumed the leadership role aged 22 back in 2012, skippering the club to the RFU Championship title in his first season at the helm.