Falcons sign Oisin Heffernan as Trevor Davison heads to Northampton

Prop-forward Trevor Davison has left Newcastle Falcons with immediate effect to join Northampton Saints, with Oisin Heffernan moving in the opposite direction.

The 30-year-old Davison played 105 first team games for the Falcons after joining from Blaydon in the summer of 2017, going on to earn full international honours for England.

Newcastle Falcons’ chairman of rugby, Matt Thompson, said: “It’s a shame to see Trevor go, especially mid-contract, and we were very much looking forward to having him as part of our squad next season.

“That being said, we have accepted his request to move on and will not stand in his way. It’s been a pleasure having him at Newcastle Falcons and we wish him all the best as he joins up with the Northampton Saints team.”

Arriving at Kingston Park until the end of the season is 28-year-old Heffernan, the English-qualified prop who hails from the west of Ireland and came through with Leinster.

Playing three times for the Irish province, Heffernan played two seasons for Ireland Under-20s and spent four years at Nottingham, making 44 appearances before moving to Northampton Saints in early 2021.

The 6 foot 1 forward has played seven times for the Franklin’s Gardens side, including a Gallagher Premiership semi-final, and has also played for Bedford Blues.