Newcastle have completed their expected move for Bristol flanker Redford Pennycook by signing him on a one-year deal.
Falcons complete one-year deal for Bristol openside flanker
Newcastle have completed their expected move for Bristol flanker Redford Pennycook by signing him on a one-year deal.
The 24-year-old is the latest man to join the mass exodus from Bristol after the Westcountry outfit failed to gain promotion back to the Guinness Premiership.
Former England Under-18 star Pennycook played 58 times in four seasons at the Memorial Ground, but will now make the long trip to the North East to join the Falcons.
Newcastle head coach Alan Tait said the openside flanker would add more strength in depth to his squad's back-row quality.
"I felt like we needed a bit more in the back row, because I was concerned that we were not up to speed around the breakdown area," said Tait.
Studying
"We have been studying players for well over a month now to come in and address the issue, and Redford's name was one that kept coming up when we spoke to allsorts of different people about guys who could come in and do the job for us.
"Luke Eves gave us a very thorough assessment having played in the same Bristol side as him for the past few seasons, and myself and Paul Moriarty have watched a lot of his games as well as speaking to people we respect in the game who know the lad.
"Every single report and every game we saw backed up the same conclusion, and we have had to fight hard against other Premiership competition to secure Redford's signature."
Tait added that Pennycook's one-year deal was just an opportunity for him to earn a longer-term contract, as Newcastle continue to try and bring in the best young English talent.
"He will be an out-and-out seven for us, even though he has played both sides for Bristol during his time there. He is very good on the floor, quick round the field, he gets forward and his character is exactly what we have been looking for.
"Initially Redford is with us on a one-year deal, but this is very much a chance for him to prove himself in the Premiership environment with a view to a longer stay with the club.
"His signing also backs up our stated policy of backing English talent wherever possible. That is something we firmly believe in, and we're all looking forward to getting Redford involved with our ongoing pre-season training."
