Newcastle add 102kg centre from Edinburgh

Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of Edinburgh centre Cameron Hutchison on a two-year deal ahead of next season.

The former Scotland under-19 captain is the ninth signing made so far by the Falcons ahead of the arrival of Alex Codling as head coach at Kingston Park.

The 24-year-old will add some bulk to the midfield with his 102kg frame, and is someone that interim head coach Mark Laycock said has “been on our radar for quite a while.”

Laycock added: “He’s a strong, physical ball-carrier who is a really good gain-line option, and he’s clearly been developing his distribution skills. He’ll give us a good foundation, his core skills are strong and he just offers us that gain-line threat to get us going forward as a team.”

After two years and 21 appearances in the Scottish capital, Hutchison is relishing playing in a new league: “It’s a really exciting opportunity to play in the Gallagher Premiership and it’s a new challenge for me after playing in the URC with Edinburgh.

“It’s a league I’ve always followed and watched over the years, and with Newcastle being so close to the Scottish border it’s almost a home from home. I can stay connected with family, and my parents actually used to live in Newcastle as well as my brother going to uni there, so it’s a place I’ve already got an affinity with.”

Hutchison also gave Falcons fans an insight into what they can expect from him next season: “I’m direct and physical as a player, so I just get my head down and try to graft for the team.

“I’m not the guy running them in from 80 metres out, but my job is to try and give quick go-forward ball so the guys on the wing can do their thing.”