News

Newcastle bring Balding in

July 01 2008

Newcastle have signed Adam Balding on a two-year deal from Guinness Premiership rivals Gloucester.

Balding, 28, made sixty appearances for Gloucester, as well as winning honours with England Saxons during his four seasons at Kingsholm.

"Adam is a player I have admired for some time, and I am sure his abrasive style of play and ball-carrying ability will prove popular with our supporters," Director of rugby, Steve Bates, said.

"He has been involved with successful teams at Leicester and Gloucester, as well as performing strongly for Leeds on loan last season, and will give us added firepower in what is a vital part of the modern game.

"He is a player with years of experience at the top end of the Guinness Premiership, that is not something that is easy to come by, and he joins us today for the start of our pre-season programme.

"We have received very positive reports about Adam from coaches and players who have worked with him, I have been impressed with his attitude when we have met in person and we look forward to seeing the impact he makes up here in what is a very competitive area of the squad."