Falcons swoop for Scarlets’ finishing king to fill Watson void
MARCUS Watson will leave Newcastle at the end of the season after the Olympic silver medallist agreed terms with Wasps this week.
He will be joined at the Ricoh Arena by Falcons teammate
Ben Harris and Nottingham hooker Antonio ‘TJ’ Harris.
Watson said: “Every player wants to be able compete for trophies in their career and I believe I can do this both domestically and in Europe with Wasps, which is really exciting!”
Newcastle have replaced Watson with Scarlets’ Canadian wing ace DTH van der Merwe. The 30year-old has been prolific in the PRO12 helping Glasgow win the title in 2015 before joining Scarlets, scoring 45 tries in 98 league appearances.
Falcons also signed Fijian brothers Josh and Joel Matavesi ahead of next season. As revealed in the Fissler Files last week, Richard Cockerill has been appointed as Edinburgh head coach next season.
The former Leicester boss will move to the Scottish capital after the completion of his short-term deal with Toulon.
He said: “I am very much looking forward to a new challenge and the opportunity at Edinburgh ticked all the boxes.
“It’s a real rugby city, and the club has a lot of potential to grow on, and off, the pitch. I’m also relishing the chance of coaching in the PRO12, which is a new league for me.” Bath have released
Dan Bowden from his contract but have extended wing Jack Wilson’s stay. Scrumhalf Darren Allinson will return to the Rec on a twoyear deal from London Irish at the end of the season after impressing on a loan spell in November.
Harlequins have bolstered their front row by signing Wasps tighthead Phil Swainston while Exeter have given new deals to props Ben Moon and Carl Rimmer and hooker Shaun Malton. Worcester have snapped up the Jersey duo of lock Pierce Phillips and tighthead Simon Kerrod but they will lose Phil Dowson who will retire to take up a role as assistant coach in Northampton. Sacked Sale winger
Tom Arscott has signed for Yorkshire Carnegie for the remainder of the season.
Former Edinburgh head coach Alan
Solomons has joined Bristol as a coaching consultant with immediate effect while Conor McPhillips will follow Pat Lam to Bristol as assistant coach.
Pat Lam’s replacement at Connacht will be Chiefs assistant coach Kieran Keane who will join the province on a threeyear contract.
Ospreys will welcome Cardiff Blues centre Cory Allen next season and have handed a two-year contract extension to wing Hanno Dirksen.
Glasgow have signed Hurricanes flanker Callum Gibbins from the on a three-year deal and props D’arcy Rae and
Jamie Bhatti have renewed their contracts.