Newcastle Falcons sign Sami Mavinga and Gary Graham

Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the signing of Lyon prop Sami Mavinga and Jersey Reds flanker Gary Graham, while new contracts have been confirmed for prop Jon Welsh and centre Chris Harris.

Mavinga, 23, scored against the Falcons while playing for Lyon during December’s European Challenge Cup encounter over in France, the 115kg forward has featured nine times in the competition for Lyon, for whom he has made five top-flight league starts this season after coming through the club’s academy system.

Graham, 24, joins the club with which his father George won the 1997-8 Premiership title. He has featured predominantly at open-side flanker for Jersey Reds in this season’s Championship and has been discribed by Dean Richards as a “Gary is a tenacious forward whose physicality has impressed us"

Jon Welsh heads the first wave of contract renewals as Newcastle make good on their desire for a stable summer on the retention front, the 11-times-capped Welsh tight-head has made 29 appearances for the club since joining from Glasgow Warriors.
 
Harris, meanwhile, renews terms with the Falcons after making 45 first team appearances, the academy graduate has scored two tries in six appearances during the 2017 season.