Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the signing of back-rower Josh Bainbridge, from RFU Championship club Coventry. The 27-year-old has agreed a two-year contract with the Falcons, and is set to arrive at Kingston Park at the end of the season.
Bainbridge has received international recognition during his career, making England age group appearances during his early career. The flanker shone in an England shirt during the U17s, U18s, U19s and U20s campaigns, and was subsequently signed by Yorkshire Carnegie.
The back-rower has also featured for Channel Islanders Jersey Reds, before putting pen to paper with Coventry. Native to the North East of England, Bainbridge returns home with his move to Falcons, and he is excited to be re-united with some friends at the club, as he steps up into the top flight.
โIโm really excited about the opportunity of coming to Newcastle Falcons, and I realise itโs a pretty big step up from the Championship to Premiership rugby,โ said Bainbridge on the Newcastle Falcons website.
โI know quite a few boys up at Newcastle so that will be helpful to begin with, and itโs just a great chance for me which Iโm determined to take.
โI played with Josh Barton at Coventry, I know Callum Chick, Brett Connon and Seb de Chaves, and it sounds like a good group.โ
Newcastle Falconsโ interim head coach Mark Laycock said on the Falcons website: โI remember Josh growing up when he was playing for Yorkshire. He was always very tenacious and competitive around the ruck area, and heโs continued that throughout his senior professional career.
โHeโs a local lad from North Yorkshire so he knows this part of the world, and itโs always nice to have some lads with North-East pedigree.โ