Metcalf signs for Newcastle Falcons

Doncaster Knights back Jack Metcalf has become Newcastle Falcons’ latest signing ahead of the 2024-25 season, agreeing a one-year deal to move to Kingston Park.

The 23-year-old Yorkshireman (6 foot 3 and 94kg) averaged a try every other game for the Castle Park outfit this season and is delighted by the chance to once again showcase his talents in English rugby’s top flight.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Newcastle Falcons and grateful for the opportunity,” said Metcalf, the former Sale Shark who is equally at home at full-back, wing or outside centre.

“It’s going to be a good group up there with all the new signings coming in and the lads who are already at the club, so it’s an exciting time.”

Giving supporters an idea of what to expect from their latest acquisition, Metcalf said: “I like to attack and make things happen off the cuff, popping up in different places. I’m not too bothered about the number on the back of my shirt, and hopefully I can just get on the end of balls or come off shoulders, putting people into space or finding gaps myself.

“I do like playing full-back because it can open up more attacking opportunities and I can use my kicking game a bit more, but when you look at rugby these days the wingers spend a lot of time at full-back. I’ll back myself under the high ball and I’ve got a decent boot, but I’m happy at 15, wing or 13 if that’s what’s best for the team. It doesn’t really matter what position, it’s just about finding and exploiting the space.”

Newcastle Falcons’ consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond welcomed Metcalf’s arrival on Tyneside, saying: “Jack is a quality player and this is a really good chance for him to re-establish himself at Gallagher Premiership level, having shown a lot of promise during his time with Sale.

“He’s already got some great experience under his belt for such a relatively young age, and with having that utility element to his game he is someone who is going to be really useful for us in a number of different positions across the back line.”

Delighted by his new opportunity in the North East, Metcalf revealed his route to Kingston Park and his personal optimism around the prospects for the Premiership’s most northerly club.

“I was born and raised in Leeds, but I’ve not been playing rugby for that long, really” he said.

“I was an academy footballer at Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers, but at 17 I decided to play rugby. My grassroots club was West Park Leeds, and I went on to Bishop Burton College. I played for Yorkshire county and got involved with Yorkshire Carnegie’s academy in the Under-18s league before moving into professional rugby with their first-team squad in the Championship.

“Unfortunately they had serious financial issues so I moved over to Sale Sharks, and had two really enjoyable years there. I loved my time at Sale, and then I went to Ealing in the Championship, spent a bit of time in Australia with the Eastwood club and came back to Doncaster, where I got a lot of experience and game time.”

Metcalf scored six tries in nine games for Ealing and another six for Doncaster in his 12 games this season, having dotted down four times in 12 senior outings for Sale Sharks, where he crossed paths with his new boss, Steve Diamond.

“I worked very briefly with Dimes at Sale so I’ve got a little bit of an idea what he’s about, and I also played with a few of Newcastle’s other signings there - Connor Doherty, Kieran Wilkinson and Cam Neild. It’s a good group that Dimes is putting together up there, and I think we’ll surprise a few people.

“With what Dimes is trying to create at the Falcons, it’s really exciting for a young player to be part of. It’s a perfect chance to excel and show what you’ve got, and Newcastle are a real dark horse. I honestly think it’s about to erupt up there.”

Metcalf becomes the Falcons’ ninth new signing for next season following the previously-announced arrivals of Edinburgh prop Luan de Bruin, Gloucester wing/centre Alex Hearle, Sale Sharks centre Connor Doherty, Leicester Tigers fly-half Kieran Wilkinson, Sale Sharks flanker Cameron Neild and England Students trio Max Pepper, Callum Hancock and Connor Hancock.

Five talented local players also step up to the senior academy with the signings of centre Rhys Beeckmans, scrum-half Joe Davis, fly-half Junior Newton, back-rower Reuben Parsons and fellow back-rower Charlie Turnbull

JACK METCALF BIOG

Born: 20/4/2001

Position: Full-back/wing/centre

Height: 1.90m (6 foot 3)

Weight: 94kg (14 stone 11)