NEWCASTLE Falcons yesterday signed an Argentinian international prop while letting Academy tight head Ed Kalman join Leeds on loan for one match.

Galo Alvarez Quinones, 27, has appeared in two full internationals and can play on both sides of the scrum.

He will be with the Falcons until the end of the season and is eligible for the Heineken Cup quarter-final at Stade Francais on April 2.

An Italian passport holder, he has previous experience of playing in Europe with French club Perigueux, while his team back home is Jockey Club in Cordoba. He stands 6ft and weighs in at 18st 7lb.

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "We have been after a prop since Marius Hurter returned home to South Africa and Galo will give us cover there. He is a solid player with a good track record in Argentina."

Quinones will come straight into the reckoning for Sunday's match at home to Gloucester, which kicks off at 1.15 with the Ireland v England match being shown in the bars around Kingston Park afterwards.

The decision to allow Kalman to join Leeds for tomorrow night's match at home to Saracens will not please Darlington Mowden Park.

He has played in their last two matches and they had hoped to have him again for Saturday's National Three North game at home to Fylde, a match Mowden must win in their battle to avoid relegation.

Leeds are also in danger of relegation from the Premiership as they are only three points off the bottom, and Andrew said: "They told us there was a real danger they would not be able to fulfil Friday's fixture.

"We are happy to help and getting some time at that level will be good for Ed's development."