Argentina centre Matias Orlando extends Newcastle Falcons stay

Argentina centre Matias Orlando will be a Newcastle Falcons player for the next two seasons after agreeing a new contract with the Kingston Park club.

Capped 47 times by Los Pumas, the 30-year-old has played 18 games in his two seasons on Tyneside, insisting he had no thoughts about moving on.

Orlando said: “I’ve signed for two more seasons in Newcastle, the main reason being the fact I am happy here.

“When I first came here my thinking was ‘come to stay’, and that’s what I’m doing now.

“I’ve found a good club where I’ve made a lot of friends, and I’m very excited to see what is possible in these next two years.”

Born and raised in Tucuman, and making his professional breakthrough with Jaguares in Super Rugby, Orlando added: “Newcastle is a great city – a bit cold compared to where I am from in Argentina – but it’s a nice place and I enjoy being here.

“I also enjoy the Premiership as a competition, especially in my first season when I could play a bit more.

“This season I have had a couple of injuries which have kept me out, but I have been working hard and learning all the time, trying to help the team as much as I can.”

Determined to impart his experience on the promising crop of youngsters bursting through from the Falcons’ academy, Orlando said: “It’s an exciting time for the club because we have so many good young players coming through, and the future for the club looks very good.

“I see how hard they work and what talent they have, and they are really building the identity of Newcastle Falcons.

“It’s good for me to be amongst those guys and feeding off their enthusiasm, and hopefully with my experience I can play a part in helping us develop together as a team.”