9:10am Wednesday 10th March 2010
By Scott Wilson
NEWCASTLE FALCONS stepped up their future planning yesterday when they announced the retention of a quartet of players.
Prop Micky Ward and fullback Alex Tait have signed new one-year deals at Kingston Park, with scrumhalf Chris Pilgrim and England Saxons hooker Rob Vickers penning two-year extensions with Falcons.
Confirmation of the deals provides a timely boost as Newcastle prepare for a relegation battle at the foot of the Guinness Premiership following a run of four winless games.
Last weekend’s home defeat to Bath left Steve Bates’ side five points ahead of Sale Sharks with six to play, but the basement boys have a game in hand.
Leeds and Worcester are also involved in the relegation battle, and while Newcastle can ill afford to slip to another defeat when they entertain Gloucester a week on Sunday, Bates feels the willingness of established players to commit to the club underlines the extent of their progress.
Vickers and Tait have both been touted as future full internationals this season, and other Premiership clubs would undoubtedly have been interested had their contracts been allowed to expire.
“Rob and Alex are both key contract renewals, evidence that our top players are backing the ambition as we prepare for next season,” said Bates. “Both are key to plans that we have here, and the fact that they are committed gives us a great foundation on which we can build as we continue our recruitment and retention plans for 2010-11.”
Vickers has scored three tries in 24 appearances from hooker, and having made his England Saxons debut against Italy A last month, the 28-year-old is confident Newcastle can help him take his career to the next level.
“We have made great strides this season in certain areas, there are solid foundations in place and everybody at the club is determined to really push on and grow over the course of the next two seasons,” said Vickers.
“I see Newcastle as the ideal place to continue my development as a player, we have a fantastic set-up here and the club is showing a great deal of intent to grow over the coming years.”
Tait echoed his team-mate’s views, and having emerged from Newcastle’s Academy to make 20 senior starts this season, the 21-year-old is looking forward to making further progress in the next 12 months.
“I’ve come right through the system at Kingston Park, I feel like I’m developing as a player under the coaching staff here and I’m delighted with this new deal,” said Tait.
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