Falcons lock down young Irish flyhalf 'with a huge amount of ability'

Having recently kicked the winning penalty in their Gallagher Premiership away win at Wasps, fly-half Brett Connon has signed a new two-year contract with Newcastle Falcons.

The 22-year-old has made 16 first team appearances since rising through the club’s academy, saying: “It’s great to have it all sorted.

“I love being at Newcastle, I feel like I’m learning every day in a really positive environment and that I will be given opportunities on merit.

“I’m happy to commit my future here and I look forward to developing further as part of this fantastic group.”

Connon’s rise to the Falcons first team squad saw him as part of the Ireland Under-20s team which defeated England Under-20s at Newcastle’s Kingston Park ground back in 2016, while this season has seen him starting for the Falcons in the Heineken Champions Cup, Gallagher Premiership and Premiership Rugby Cup.

Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Brett has shown great maturity and ability this season in coping with some really high-pressure situations.

“He hit the winning penalty with the last kick away to Wasps a few weeks ago, he struck a really important long-range penalty in our away win over Northampton and he dealt with the occasion very well during his Champions Cup start up at Edinburgh.

“He is a very level-headed player with a huge amount of ability, and it’s always nice to see our academy players coming through and thriving on the big stage.”