Relegated Falcons' recruitment is continuing without the handbrake on
Exeter Chiefs lock Toby Salmon will join relegated Newcastle Falcons in the summer on a two-year deal. The 26-year-old Norfolk native, who stands at 6ft 5ins and weighs 120kg, made 16 appearances in his two seasons with the Chiefs after joining from Rotherham.
His stint with Exeter included a start in their victorious 2018 Anglo-Welsh Cup final where he scored a try.
Salmon said: “I’ve benefited hugely from being in the Chiefs environment. I’ve always viewed Newcastle as being a great team and a great set-up, and when I’ve spoken to people who have experienced it up there that’s exactly what they have said.
“The Falcons have a really good team culture which is evident whenever you watch them play. It’s an exciting move for me and I’m looking forward to getting up there.”
A scorer of four tries during his time with the Chiefs, the lock added: “I’ve really enjoyed my two years with Exeter and developed a huge amount during that time, but the opportunities for game time were difficult to come by.
SIGNING: Exeter Chiefs lock @Toby_Salmon will join Newcastle Falcons in the summer on a two-year deal. Welcome aboard, Toby! https://t.co/U9r7GhMsMQ pic.twitter.com/RpnhNNz6MB
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) May 15, 2019
“I’m looking forward to hopefully getting some more minutes under my belt with Newcastle. I realise that won’t be easy because they have a very competitive squad, but I’ve played up there a few times previously and I’m just keen to get started.
“The coaches and the senior players down at Exeter have really brought me on. It has been a great environment to be part of and it’s made me ready for this next challenge up at Newcastle.
“I’ve been up there as an opposition player and it’s a really tough place to go, so it will be nice to be on the home side!”
Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards welcomed Salmon to the soon-to-be Championship club, saying: “Toby is a useful player who has really benefited from his time down at Exeter.
“He is a solid operator who will fit in very well with the team ethic we have up here, and we look forward to him joining us for pre-season.”
Salmon becomes the Falcons’ latest confirmed signing for next season second tier campaign following USA lock Greg Peterson (Bordeaux-Begles), lock Darren Barry (Worcester Warriors) and Welsh centre Gareth Owen (Leicester Tigers) and England under-20s back row Josh Basham into the set-up.
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