Four Newcastle Falcons signings who were meant to be the business…but weren’t

We’ve gone from the inception of the Premiership in 1997/98 because, as you all know, that’s when club rugby ‘started’.

After playing professional rugby in New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan over a nearly decade long career Todd Clever will finally get a taste of European rugby after signing with the Falcons in 2015. The 76-cap USA international never really got going at Kingston Park, staying for just one season, making only six appearances.

There was a lot of excitement when the wing-wizard arrived at Kingston Park ahead of the 2017/18, However, with Niki Goneva and Sinoti Sinoti in outstandinf form, the Canadian would leave by mutual consent in March 2018 after making just three appearances for the club. Dissapointing.

Falcons announced in May 2004 that the Brumbies loose forward had signed on a two-year deal, believed to be worth £150,000 per season. However, the recently-capped Wallaby got cold feet and pulled out of the move claiming he’d only ever signed a letter of intent. Rob Andrew was adamant at the time that agreement to join the Falcons was binding.

A wonderfully talented player, but the France internationals spell in the North East wasn't great. The 31-year-old centre was limited to just five Premiership appearances in his single season at Kingston Park, with a balance issue keeping him out for four months of the season. He then rejoined Stade Toulouse on a two-year contract.