ZACH KIBIRIGE is hoping to put his injury nightmare behind him after signing a new one-year contract with Newcastle Falcons.

Kibirige, who is from Yarm, has been sidelined for an entire year since fracturing his ankle on his Aviva Premiership debut against Gloucester.

He is set to return within a month or so, and has been boosted by the award of a contract extension, which reflects the huge potential that was beginning to be realised prior to his injury setback.

Having signed for Falcons’ academy after playing his junior rugby with Darlington RFC, Kibirige was part of the Yarm School side that won the Daily Mail Vase at Twickenham in 2013.

He made his senior Falcons  debut in October 2012, scoring a try against Cross Keys in the British and Irish Cup despite only being 17.

He continued to be involved in Falcons’ cup set-up for each of the next two seasons, and became a You Tube sensation when he scored a wonder try that took him from one end of the field to the other in an Under-20s Six Nations international against Wales at Kingston Park.

“I’m excited to get back playing and put the last year behind me after the injury and then just crack on from where I left off,” said Kibirige.

“The club said they were happy with how I was progressing and that has ended up with me getting a new deal and earning another year to continue learning and kick on which I am very happy about”

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Zach is a very talented player who has shown his speed and skill from when he joined the academy and enjoyed a very impressive season last year.

“He played very well for us in the European Challenge Cup and LV=Cup and had fully earned his first Aviva Premiership start, where he was playing well until he picked up his injury, which he has now put behind him.”

“When you look back at some of the play he showed since 2012, you can see why we are excited about Zach and why we’re delighted he has agreed a new deal with us.”