Falcons swoop for Eves

The 21-year-old centre played a key role in helping Bristol finish top of the Championship, only to miss out on a place in the top-flight after losing to Exeter in the play-off final.

However Falcons have moved quickly to snap up the former England Under-20s skipper, who has scored 10 times in 59 appearances for Bristol.

And Newcastle coach Alan Tait is thrilled to have signed the highly-rated centre.

"Luke is widely regarded as being one of the most promising young centres in the country," said Tait.

"For a young man he has an old head on his shoulders, and having already played two seasons in the Premiership he knows what it is all about at that level.

Ambitious

"He has helped Bristol finish top of their league this season and make the Championship play-off final, but he's looking at this move to be a springboard for his career and to ultimately push on towards his goal of representing England further down the track.

"He's definitely ambitious, and the fact that he sees Newcastle as a place where he can reach those goals is a great endorsement of what we are doing here and where we are going as a club."

Eves will join Ally Hogg, Luke Fielden, Glen Townson, James Hall, Mark Wilson, Joe Graham and James Fitzpatrick as Newcastle's summer signings.

Tait has also agreed new contracts with Rob Vickers, Alex Tait, Chris Pilgrim, Will Welch, Kieran Brookes and Micky Ward.