Two more seasons for hooker Ollie Fletcher
The 20-year-old has made eight first-team appearances for his home-town club, including 43 minutes from the bench when a 14-man Falcons side defeated Gloucester in their most recent Gallagher Premiership outing.
Capped by England Under-20s, Fletcher played his junior rugby with Tynedale RFC and Newcastle School for Boys, coming through the Falcons’ academy system before signing senior academy terms in the summer of 2021.
“It’s exciting to have signed this new contract and to be staying with the Falcons for another two years,” said Fletcher, whose father John is a former Falcons director of rugby.
“I’ve been working with great coaches and players all the way through here, and in terms of my own peer group we’ve got some fantastic young talent coming through.
“I’ve had some more game time recently due to injuries elsewhere in the squad, but it’s been really good and I’ve enjoyed being out there. Playing against people you’ve watched on TV for years can be a bit strange at first but I’m enjoying the experience, and I’m just keen to keep learning and improving with every chance that I get.
“I want to use these next two years to keep developing my game and keep going on an upward trajectory, grasping every opportunity. I’m also doing a psychology degree at Newcastle University which keeps my mind off rugby, and it’s an interesting area to be involved with.”
Newcastle Falcons’ interim head coach Mark Laycock said: “I’m delighted that Ollie has put pen to paper to stay with us for another couple of seasons.
“He’s an exceptionally talented young player and I am looking forward to seeing him blossom over the next couple of years – all made extra special by his longstanding connection with the club.
“The opportunities he’s had this season have been taken with both hands, and all the coaches here think he’s got a bright and prosperous future with the Falcons.”
Asked what he sees as Fletcher’s main attributes as a player, Laycock added: “His game understanding is fantastic, and his stand-out trait is that he’s a really smart rugby player.
“He doesn’t seem to get fazed by anything that gets thrown at him. Like all players he works really hard at the technical aspects of his game, but he just understands the big picture really well and knows how he can make a positive contribution.”
Newcastle Falcons’ final home game of the season is on Friday April 21 when they host Northampton Saints.
[**Click here**][1] to buy tickets for the Gallagher Premiership clash, which is a 7.45pm kick-off at Kingston Park Stadium.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Event/Index/1750