Ben Stevenson signs senior academy terms
The 17-year-old, who can play centre, wing or full-back, will combine his rugby at Kingston Park with a law degree at Durham University.
The Yarm School pupil has played at Middlesbrough RFC and has been with the Falcons through the Durham pathway, playing for the Falcons’ A-team against Sale Sharks and Durham University.
Stevenson has stepped up to senior rugby this season with Blaydon in National One, for whom he is currently playing while he prepares for his A-Levels.
Falcons academy director Mark Laycock said: “We are delighted Ben has signed with us for next season.
“He is a very talented athlete with bags of potential, and I am confident he will do really well both academically and with his rugby. He is a very bright lad who wishes to continue with his studies, and we will support him in that.
“A number of our first-team players have gone down that route, like Simon Hammersley and Sean Robinson, and he has already played senior rugby. He played for the Falcons’ A-team when he was just 16, he scored with his first touch for Blaydon in National One this season and has gone well for them.”