Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the agreed signing of Kieran Wikinson, with the fly half set to join the club at the end of the season. Wilkinson arrives in the North East from Leicester Tigers, and has put pen to paper for a one-year deal at Kingston Park.
Wilkinson’s latest outing for Leicester, saw the young halfback lead in the Tigers’ 21-13 win over Georgian outfit Black Lion. This exhibition clash of the big cats was an opportune stage for the 24-year-old to impress, and he certainly garnered the attention of Falcons’ Consultant Director of Rugby Steve Diamond.
“The players who are coming here in the first instance are lads that I know, and who understand how I work,” said Diamond.
“Kieran is worldly-wise for his age, and even though it looks like he hasn’t played much rugby in the last two years you’ve got to remember he’s been learning every day from George Ford at Sale and Handre Pollard at Leicester. He’s been sitting behind two world class tens and he’s coming here with a viewpoint to push on and get himself in our first team.”
Capped by England at Under-20s, 18s and 16s levels, the Kirkham Grammar School graduate made his senior breakthrough with Sale Sharks, under the tutelage of Diamond. Asked what Wilkinson is expected to bring upon his reunion, the Falcons boss said:
“Kieran has that hard-working attitude that I demand, and he’s a good player.
“He has got a strong kicking game, he controls the play and he’s a good kid. I like what he brings to an environment, I’m really pleased to be able to bring him in and it’s also not a bad surname for a fly-half at Newcastle!”
Relishing the prospect of his move to Newcastle, Wilkinson said: “I’m really excited about joining Newcastle Falcons.
“It’s a great club, some of my heroes when I was a kid played up there and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. It’s a fantastic city as well, so on and off the field I’m really pumped about getting up there in the summer and helping get the club back up to where it should be.”
The fly half has made six appearances this season for the Tigers, with the two-time Rugby World Cup winning Springbok Handre Pollard in poll position for the 10 jersey. Wilkinson discussed his limited game time this year, and his eagerness for reps in Falcons colours.
“I’ve not played too much rugby because we’ve obviously got Handre Pollard, and as you’d expect from a two-time World Cup winner he’s got the No.10 shirt nailed down.
“That’s obviously frustrating in one sense because as a player you want to be involved in games, but on the same token it’s been great just to learn from him every day in training and see how he goes about everything. I feel like I’ll be a better player for having had that experience, and I’ve now got this great challenge up at Newcastle to get my teeth into.”
“I’d like to think I bring an attacking mind-set to the game.
“The players I enjoy watching are the likes of Finn Russell, Marcus Smith and back in the day, Danny Cipriani. I’m not saying I play exactly like those kinds of guys, but I like to be creative and to get the attack firing.
“In terms of working again with Dimes (Steve Diamond), he signed me as a teenager for Sale Sharks and I’ve got massive respect for the way he goes about things. He’s the perfect man for the job up at Newcastle and I’m really looking forward to playing under him. It’s a new set-up, new players and a massive opportunity, so I’m buzzing to get up there.”
Wilkinson becomes the Falcons’ sixth confirmed signing for next season, following the announcements of Gloucester wing/centre Alex Hearle, Edinburgh prop Luan de Bruin, Sale Sharks flanker Cameron Neild and England Students props Callum and Connor Hancock.
AI has predicted the next 40 Six Nations winners, Italy never win it
Groundbreaking AI technology has unveiled its jaw-dropping forecasts for the next four decades of Six Nations glory, and the results are nothing short of mind-blowing.
According to the cutting-edge predictions, England is poised to clinch victory in a staggering five out of the next 20 tournaments, while Scotland is primed for a historic triumph, marking their first title since their Five Nations conquest in 1999.
However, the road ahead seems daunting for Wales, as the AI oracle forecasts a prolonged wait until 2041 for their next taste of Six Nations glory.
Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses such as England, Ireland, and France are slated to dominate the competition, casting a shadow over Welsh aspirations.
Check out the next 20 Six Nations winner’s below.
2025: France
2026: Ireland
2027: England
2028: England
2029: Scotland
2030: France
2031: Ireland
2032: England
2033: Ireland