Falcons sign Tongan flanker Afu

Afu impressed for National One side Doncaster this season

Newcastle Falcons have signed Tongan flanker Josh Afu on a two-year deal and he will join ahead of next season.

This season, Afu has impressed with Doncaster in National One and for the Tongan national team, and he is relishing playing in the Premiership.

"I'm already used to British winters and the challenges those conditions can pose," the 22-year-old said.

"I can't wait to step up because the Guinness Premiership is always a competition I have admired."

The arrival of Afu is a boost for Newcastle's director of rugby Steve Bates, who will lose players such as Phil Dowson, David Wilson and Geoff Parling this summer.

And Bates believes Afu will have a big impact both defensively and in attack when he joins up with the Falcons next season.

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"Josh has been on our radar for some time now, and I am delighted we have managed to finalise a deal to bring him to Kingston Park," Bates said.

"We have watched him a number of times for Doncaster this season, including two tries and a man-of-the-match performance two weeks ago, and he is a player capable of adding a lot to our squad.

"He has incredible pace for such a big man, knows his way to the try line and gives us an extra option in the line out.

"We look forward to Josh getting a good pre-season under his belt over the coming months, and adding to the competition for places we already have in the back row."

Afu, who was born and brought up in Australia, played in the Southern Hemisphere Super 14s with Queensland Reds before his switch to the Tongan national side ruled him out of that competition.