Newcastle swoop for Sharks starlet Nott

NEWCASTLE FALCONS look set to follow up their move for France centre Maxime Mermoz by landing Sale Sharks highly rated England U20 star George Nott.

Nott, who was born in Wales but qualifies for England through his parents, is an U20 World Cup winner and is rated as one of the hottest prospects in the country. The 21-year-old lock,

above, who has made eight appearances for the Sharks this season, is out of contract at the end of this campaign and is yet to sign a new deal to remain in Salford.

Falcons boss Dean Richards has been alerted to this and is ready to offer him the chance of moving to Kingston Park next season.

He is also interested in signing Fijian centre Josh Matavesi from the Ospreys but has to overcome a major obstacle of him having 18 months left to run on his contract.

The 26-year-old, who hails from Camborne, Cornwall, has spent the last three years playing for the Ospreys after leaving Worcester Warriors.

But it is understood that he is keen on returning to the Premiership but isn’t out of contract with the Ospreys until the end of next season.