Centre Tom Penny is the latest player to agree a new contract with Newcastle Falcons, signing a one-year deal to remain at Kingston Park.
The 24-year-old Northumbrian scored in the 42-17 away win over Leinster last August and started in the Falcons’ Heineken Champions Cup victories over French giants Toulon and Montpellier, but missed the remainder of the campaign after suffering an ACL injury to his knee.
Making 34 first team appearances after graduating through the Falcons’ academy, the former Alnwick RFC and RGS Newcastle player said: “I’m looking to try and repay the faith that the Falcons have shown to me.
“I want to be a part of making this club bounce straight back to the Premiership, and I feel like everything is set here for a really positive future.”
Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Tom is an outstanding talent who has been very unlucky with injury over the past couple of seasons, but his ability has never been in doubt.
“A big part of our philosophy has always been providing a platform for local players to make their mark, and in Tom we have a homegrown talent who is capable of big things.”