Midway through a breakout season which saw the 24 year old Centre return from dual registered club Rotherham to score three tries in his first two Aviva Premiership appearances against Saracens and Northampton Saints respectively, Harris has committed to Newcastle Falcons as a member of the club’s senior squad.
Speaking of the news, Director of Rugby Dean Richards said: “It’s great news that Chris has chosen to commit to the club for another two years. Chris is a talented young man and exactly the type of player we are looking to keep hold of as we continue to build for the future of Newcastle Falcons.
“We’ve said for a long time that there are a number of promising players coming through the ranks of our Academy system and it’s great to see those boys not only making a mark on the top flight but choosing to continue to do so with Newcastle Falcons.”
Carlisle-born Harris first moved to Newcastle to study Architectural Technology at University. Picked up by the Falcons’ Academy while still a student, he joined the club’s Academy system full time in 2013.
Having benefitted from the Falcons’ dual registration programme first with National League One side Tynedale and later with Championship side Rotherham Titans, Harris returned to Kingston Park midway through this season, racking up five tries in his first five appearances for his parent club.
Harris said: “I’m really pleased to be confirmed as a Falcon for the next two seasons. It doesn’t mean I can relax because, if I want to be in the team, there are some pretty high quality players so I have to play and train well to get the shirt, but it does take a bit of pressure off knowing the future is sorted and I’m happy about it.
“It’s great to have the chance to learn from so many good players, some of which I watched growing up, so now I just want to keep learning from them and getting better so that hopefully I can become a player that others look to emulate.
“It’s a massively close-knit squad and I genuinely think that the way we’re doing things now we’re getting back to the sort of environment where it’s one big group pulling in one direction.”