NEWCASTLE FALCONS have received a major boost ahead of tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership trip to Gloucester with confirmation of the re-signing of former England international David Wilson.

Wilson, who has won 44 England caps and appeared in the last two Rugby World Cups, has returned to Kingston Park seven years after leaving Falcons to join Bath.

A native of South Shields, the 31-year-old prop made 67 appearances in his first spell with Newcastle, and boasts more than 150 Premiership outings as well as more than 50 games in Europe.

“I have been considering this move for a while and it is fantastic that we have been able to finalise everything,” said Wilson. “I came through the academy here at Newcastle, I loved playing for the club and I have been watching from a distance these past few years taking note of all the improvements going on at Kingston Park.

“They are doing good things under Dean Richards, the set-up seems much more professional and the quality of the squad is outstanding.

“I enjoyed watching their game against Leicester at the weekend, they are playing some great rugby and I can’t wait to get going.”

Wilson will not be involved in today’s game at Kingsholm, but his return will greatly increase Falcons’ scrummaging power and guarantee some valuable nous and experience in the front row.

“This is a signing which underlines our ambitious plans for the club and our commitment to providing a platform for home-grown players,” said Richards. “Davey is someone I have long admired, he is from the area and his playing qualities are obvious.

“He has a wealth of Aviva Premiership and international experience under his belt and he will make a significant contribution to the improvements we are working towards.

“He understands what Newcastle Falcons means to people in this region, his scrummaging and all-round understanding of the game is fantastic and with Davey on board we have added absolute top-quality ability in such a key area of the field.”

Richards has made one change to the side that lost out to Leicester Tigers by a point last weekend, with Alex Tait replacing the injured Vereniki Goneva on the right wing.

Falcons shipped 58 points to Bath in their last away game, but having watched his players push Leicester all the way as they slipped to an agonising 14-13 defeat six days ago, Newcastle’s director of rugby is confident of a much-improved away performance tomorrow.

“We see this as a huge opportunity,” he said. “Gloucester are playing well, but a little bit like ourselves they have found it difficult at times to convert pressure into points. It is one of those occasions whereby we feel we are in with a good shout, but we need to deliver a performance.”

Newcastle Falcons: Hammersley, Tait, Waldouck, Socino, Sinoti, Delany, Takulua; Vickers, Lawson, Welsh, Green, Olmstead, M Wilson, Welch, Hogg.

Replacements: Sowrey, Rogers, Ryan, Witty, Temm, Young, Hodgson, Agulla.