NEWCASTLE FALCONS have signed England Sevens scrum-half Sam Egerton for the start of next season.

Egerton, who made his HSBC Sevens World Series debut for England in Singapore last weekend, recently spent a month at Harlequins, scoring one try in two Aviva Premiership appearances.

The 24-year-old scored a fine individual try for England Sevens in their Bowl semi-final match against Scotland in Singapore, and previously represented Yorkshire Carnegie as well as playing in four Varsity matches during his time at Oxford University.

“Sam is an exceptional player,” said Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards. “He boasts strong decision-making ability, has a good break on him and knows his way to the try line. He will be a good addition to our squad, which already has a successful former England Sevens player in the form of Marcus Watson.”

Egerton said: “I have heard lots of good things about Newcastle Falcons and the city in general. It is a club which has a soul of its own, I want to experience that and it seems a good fit for me with the brand of rugby they play. I like the idea of playing on a fast track up there, it suits my game and this is an exciting move.

“I would say I’m more of a running number nine, and I like to be a threat around the fringes. I will be working hard on my skill set moving back to 15s after a year in sevens, because the role of the scrum-half is different between the two, but I will try and bring a high-tempo game with me. I can’t wait to get started.”

Egerton is Falcons’ third confirmed addition for next season following the signings of Leicester’s Vereniki Goneva and Jersey prop Sam Lockwood.