Falcons sign North Harbour flanker Connor Collett

Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the signing of English flanker Connor Collett from New Zealand province, North Harbour.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past four seasons, originally leaving Kettering RFC and Stamford School to play club rugby in New Zealand with Massey RFC.

His performances for Massey were impressive enough to earn him a call-up to North Harbour’s provincial side for the Mitre 10 Cup Championship for the 2016 season, Collett playing all but one of their games and forming a key part of the side which defeated Otago to win the national final.

Topping North Harbour’s tackle count and winning their Most Promising Player and Premier Club Player of the Year awards in his first senior season, his eye-catching form continued during 2017 when he helped them to a third-placed finish in the top division of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Standing at 6 foot 1 and weighing 103 kg, Collett’s game is founded on work rate and defence, the former Stamford School captain making a total of 19 appearances for North Harbour over the past two seasons.

The flanker becomes the Falcons’ sixth confirmed signing for next season following the previously announced arrivals of George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers), Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers), Guy Graham (Hawick), Tom Arscott (Rouen) and Johnny Williams (London Irish).