Fitzpatrick handed new deal

Hard-hitting centre James Fitzpatrick has agreed a new three-year deal to remain at Newcastle Falcons.

Hard-hitting centre James Fitzpatrick has agreed a new three-year deal to remain at Newcastle Falcons. Fitzpatrick arrived at Kingston Park in the summer from Blaydon and has gone on to make eight appearances this season. And head coach Alan Tait believes the 23-year-old can continue to develop as a player. Tait said: "James is a great local talent, and a three-year deal is just what he needs because he still has a lot of work to do in his game. "Three years gives him that bit of security, a good spell under full-time training, and I think that at the end of three seasons he'll be a regular in our match-day squad." Fitzpatrick, who began his career at Westoe, is delighted to have been handed the new contract. "I've trained hard, took my chances when they've come and I'm just learning all the time at this level," he said. "I knew before I came here that I had to improve to get picked for the first team, but I've worked hard in everything I've done. "It's a really enjoyable place to be, and I'm living the dream."