HOMEGROWN back-rower Callum Chick has signed a new two-year deal with Newcastle Falcons.

The 24-year-old has made 83 first-team appearances for Falcons, and boasts three tries in 11 matches this season after completing his recovery from knee surgery.

“Newcastle is my boyhood club, I used to come here as a fan and I just love being part of it,” said Ponteland-raised Chick, who won a Junior World Championship with England Under-20s. “The lads are great, the set-up is really good at the Falcons and it was an easy decision.

“I’m enjoying my rugby on a personal level, the team are showing up well and when I looked at the whole situation I just knew I wanted to commit here.”

Unperturbed by the wealth of back-row options at a club whose coaching set-up includes former England number eights Dean Richards and Nick Easter, Chick added: “There’s huge competition in the back row here with loads of fantastic players, but that just drives the level of performance from all the boys.

“We’ve got quality players fighting for position every week, and that’s a good place for any club to be.

“As a player you know that if your foot comes off the gas at any point there are guys ready to come in and take your spot, so you have to be on it every single week.”

Director of rugby Richards said: “Callum is a huge talent who has worked incredibly hard on his game.

"He has made a major contribution to the side since battling back from his early-season injury, and should be a big player for this club for a lot of years to come.

“We’ve made no secret of the fact we enjoy showcasing our local boys."