RFU Championship: Rotherham bring in four Newcastle academy players for 2014/15

Championship side Rotherham Titans have forged a new partnership with Premiership club Newcastle Falcons which will see four Academy players arrive at Clifton Lane.

Centre Chris Harris, scrum-half Andy Davies, back row Ben Morris and second row Sean Robinson will aim join the Titans from the Falcons Academy for the 2014/15 season.

After losing their two-legged play-off semi-final to Bristol on Saturday, Rotherham are already preparing for another promotion push next season.

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Falcons Academy manager Mark Laycock has been impressed with the development of the quartet and believes first-team rugby in the English second tier is the next step for them.

"It's great that we can build links with clubs like Rotherham to help develop our academy players,” he said.

"Chris Harris, Andy Davies and Ben Morris have been outstanding for Tynedale and Blaydon over the past few seasons and likewise, Sean Robinson (second row) has been a standout player for Durham University and England Students this year.

“For their long-term development they need to be exposed to the next level of rugby which is what they will get at Rotherham.

Grounded

"Having known Titans coach Lee Blackett for quite some time we know that the lads will be kept very grounded and will be made to work hard to earn their spot in the team which is exactly what they need.”

For their long-term development they need to be exposed to the next level of rugby which is what they will get at Rotherham.

Rotherham head coach Lee Blackett is delighted to have reached an agreement with the Falcons, especially given the way their resources have been stretched this campaign.

"We are a club that traditionally has never had too many loan agreements, but I think if we are honest with ourselves sometimes we do need these types of agreements, if you look at this year, if we hadn't had them, at times we would have been struggling,” he said.

"We think the relationship with Newcastle Falcons is a great one for two Northern clubs to have.

“Hopefully once these guys have been here for a full year, Newcastle will be getting a better player back and hopefully we'll have had a quality player for a year.

“Both we and Newcastle believe it's going to be massively beneficial to the boys coming in."