CLEGG SEALS FALCONS MOVE
The 23-year-old fly-half, who has represented England at Under-16, Under-18, Under-20 and Saxons level, will make the move north at the end of the current season.
Progressing through the successful Falcons academy system, the former Barnard Castle pupil made his Newcastle debut aged 18 as deputy for the injured Jonny Wilkinson against Sale Sharks in September 2008.
Clegg came to the attention of former Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher whilst playing for Barnard Castle School where he was coached by Martin Pepper. Playing alongside current Newcastle full-back Tom Catterick and England Sevens international Alex Gray, the trio all came off the Kingston Park production line.
After an impressive campaign for the northeasterners, Clegg was lured to the Twickenham Stoop in the summer of 2009 where he has since made more than 50 appearances.
Clegg featured in Quins’ LV= Cup final triumph over Sale at Sixways Stadium last month having been dual registered with Leeds Carnegie this term.
> “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Newcastle Falcons,” said
> German-born Clegg.
“The Falcons are a massively different prospect from when I was last there, with top-class coaches and a new hierarchy at the top now in place.
“Dean Richards has shown a lot of belief in me and I am grateful for that,” added Clegg, who was signed by Richards when the latter was in charge of Quins.
Understudy to experienced New Zealand international Nick Evans during his four seasons in the capital, Clegg has certainly had the perfect mentor ahead of his switch to Tyneside.
Clegg said: “Nick has had a big impact on my game and I have learnt a lot from him which has really helped my development ahead of my move to Newcastle.
> “I have been following Newcastle’s progress in the RFU Championship
> closely, and I am confident that they will achieve their goal of
> promotion to the Aviva Premiership.”
Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Rory is a talented No.10 who will no doubt bring a lot of quality to our backline.
“As a local lad he understands the passion for rugby throughout the region, and it is important that we have our home-grown players pulling on the Falcons jersey.”
