Moroni joins his Pumas pals at Falcons

NEWCASTLE Falcons have signed Premiership winner Matias Moroni from Leicester Tigers.

The 31-year-old centre, who has 43 Argentina caps and is in the squad to face Scotland next month, started last Saturday’s final win over Saracens.

“I like how Newcastle want to play the game, and I feel like I can fit in there,” Moroni said.

Moroni joins Argentina team-mates Matias Orlando and Mateo Carreras at Kingston Park and is the Falcons' sixth signing of the summer.

Prior to joining Leicester, Moroni played 47 games for Jaguares in Super Rugby and also represented Argentina at the 2016 Olympics.

“Matias and I have known each other since playing together for Argentina U20s, and he is one of my best friends as well as being a top player,” added Moroni. “We know we can play well together because we have done it for many years, and I know Mateo as well from our time together with the Pumas.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle back rower Josh Basham has returned to his former club London Irish. The 23year-old came through Irish's academy and joined the Falcons while he studied for his degree at at Durham University, making 20 appearances for the club.

Bristol have signed versatile forward Morgan Eames from French Pro D2 side Beziers. English-qualified Eames, 27, joined Beziers in 2020 and has made 33 appearances, scoring three tries. He began his career at Nottingham and also spent three seasons with Doncaster.

Irish-qualified second row Joe Joyce is leaving for Connacht after 11 years at Bristol. The 28-year-old, who represented Ireland U20s in 2014, played over 150 games for Bristol.

In the Championship, Nottingham have signed hookers Harry Clayton (Newcastle University) and Jack Dickinson (Ampthill), second row Ross Bundy, who spent the last season in France, and former Nottingham and Leicester centre Javiah Pohe (London Scottish).

Doncaster have signed back row Sam Daly from Scottish side Watsonian.