Falcons in a two-year deal for Spanish star lock

DONCASTER Knights’ Spanish international lock Josh Peters is joining Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old stands at 2.04m (6 ft 8ins), weighs 117kgs (18st 5lbs) and has been capped 10 times by Spain.

The second-rower, who made 18 appearances for Doncaster this season as they finished a close second in the table, said: “It’s a great opportunity to go up a level and challenge myself in a Premiership environment.

“It’s exciting to be making the move and through hard work and learning I’ll look to push for a senior place.

“Outside of the rugby Newcastle is a great city which I’ve visited a number of times, including playing up there in pre-season last summer, and hopefully good things will come from the move.

“I’m already good mates with Newcastle’s prop Conrad Cade from his time on loan at Doncaster and I was also in Northampton Saints’ academy with George Wacokecoke, who is a really good lad.”

Born just outside London, Josh moved to Marbella with his family at the age of two, saying: “I grew up in Spain and played out there until I was 16, when I gained a scholarship to go to Oundle School and linked up with Northampton Saints’ academy.

“From there I became involved with England Under-18s and 19s, set-piece and physicality being the main areas of strength in my game.”

Playing on dual-registration for Coventry during his time with Northampton Saints, Peters went on: “When I started playing for the Spanish national team I moved down to Blackheath.

“I’d always wanted to play international rugby so I was keen to take up the Spanish option and from there I went to France for a year. I played for Dijon, which was good fun, although it coincided with the pandemic, which made things a bit difficult.

“I ended up doing a teaching qualification and signing for Doncaster, but it’s great now to have the opportunity up at Newcastle.”

Newcastle Falcons’ director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Josh is a talented player who has done well for Doncaster this season and been a big part of their strong title push.

“He brings size and physicality and deserves this chance to show what he can do at a higher level.”