Falcons sign Leicester Tigers centre Gareth Owen

Centre Gareth Owen will be a Newcastle Falcons player next season, the Welshman signing from Leicester Tigers on a two-year deal.

Owen, 30, has spent the past two seasons with the Tigers, having previously played 72 games for the Scarlets and 50 for the Ospreys.

The former Wales 7s, Under-20s and Under-19s international can also operate at full-back and fly-half despite having played the majority of his senior rugby in the centres, his five years at the Scarlets coinciding with their 2016-17 Pro 12 title triumph.

Making 29 appearances during his two seasons with Leicester Tigers, Owen said: “I see this as an exciting new challenge, even if things unfortunately didn’t go to plan for the Falcons in terms of remaining in the Premiership.

“I’m excited about trying to get the boys back up where they belong, and from a family perspective it’s great to be moving to the North East..."