Newcastle Falcons have signed Fijian international fly-half Waisea Luveniyali on a one-year deal as the recruitment drive continues on Tyneside.

The 26-year-old, who played under incoming director of rugby Dean Richards during a two-year stint with Harlequins, jetted into Newcastle last night and will join up with some of his new teammates on Monday.

“I am very happy to join the Falcons and I am really looking forward to the challenge of getting the club back to the Premiership,” said Luveniyali.

He added: “There is a really good chance of us going back up and we will have to work very hard to achieve this goal. With the current coaching set-up and playing squad, we have an excellent chance of doing just that.”

Capped 16 times by Fiji, Luveniyali made nine Premiership appearances and a single Heineken Cup outing during his first season at the Twickenham Stoop.

Following his spell at Quins, Luveniyali moved to London Welsh for the 2010-11 campaign, where he made 11 appearances as the Exiles reached the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs before returning to his homeland.

Featuring in three Rugby World Cups including last year’s tournament in New Zealand, the crafty tough tackling No.10 can also operate at full-back or centre.

Luveniyali is looking forward to working under former coach Richards, saying: “Dean takes things to another level and I cannot wait to start work with him when he starts in August.”

And with new head coach Peter Russell due to arrive in Newcastle on Sunday night, things are really starting to take shape ahead of the Falcons’ Championship promotion charge.

Next week sees the majority of the playing squad having a well earned week off after an intensive start to pre-season training, with those who had an extended break continuing their programme. 

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