Falcons swoop for Hardie... and he’ll be back in capital

JOHN HARDIE last night agreed a deal to sign for Newcastle Falcons — and is now poised to make a stunning return to face his former club Edinburgh in the Heineken Champions Cup. The 30-year-old flanker had been without a club since leaving Edinburgh at the end of last season, departing after a three-month suspension for gross misconduct. Hardie had a trial at Clermont last month but failed to win a contract. Newcastle then made a move for a player who has 16 Scotland caps, the last of which came against Fiji in 2017. With the English Premiership side in Edinburgh’s pool in the European Cup, he is now set for a remarkable return to the club where he spent three years. Teams are allowed to register an additional three players during the pool stage and Hardie is likely to fill one of those places for Newcastle. They are due to visit Murrayfield on December 7 as part of a double-header, with the return match taking place nine days later. Eager to put his troubles behind him, Hardie said: ‘It’s fantastic to be here in Newcastle and to have this opportunity. ‘It’s a fresh start for me, I’m determined to get back on the rugby field and to begin this new chapter. ‘I’ve been watching their recent games and it seems to be a positive environment, so I’m just looking forward to getting started.’ Hardie (right), who was born in New Zealand, joins his new club with immediate effect, providing cover for injured captain Will Welch. Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: ‘John is a proven performer at a very high level and it’s great to be able to call upon all of his experience and ability. ‘It’s no secret that injuries and international call-ups have depleted our back-row stocks, and it’s great that we are able to welcome John to the club.’ Hardie’s departure from Edinburgh came under a cloud. Speaking earlier this year about his release, head coach Richard Cockerill said: ‘John won’t be staying. He is the same as a lot of other guys. We have a lot of young guys coming through and financially we need to spread our costs.’