NEWCASTLE Falcons have signed Australian World Cup-winning forward Owen Finegan on a two-year contract to start next season.

The 32-year-old ACT Brumbies star won 51 caps as a lock or blind side flanker and scored a try in the 1999 World Cup final victory against France.

Finegan has scored a remarkable 29 tries in 81 Super 12 appearances for Brumbies and will begin his tenth and final season in the competition on Saturday against Crusaders at Canberra, a repeat of last year's final, when he was Brumbies' captain.

He played in all three Tests against the British Lions in 2001 and is keen to link up with his former Australia teammate Matt Burke at Kingston Park.

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "Owen is a world-class player and his decision to join us despite interest from other top sides is an indication of where we are heading as a club.

"He offers a real physical presence as well as great experience and is the sort of seasoned international who can make a big difference for us.

"This signing is every bit as significant as those of Matt Burke and Colin Charvis."

Finegan said: "The Zurich Premiership is a tough and challenging competition and to have the opportunity to join a quality team with aspirations of winning it is very appealing."

Like Jonny Wilkinson, Charvis will still not be fit in time for the next round of Six Nations matches on Saturday week, when Wales meet France in Paris.

But his progress after a foot injury should allow him to start training shortly and he could play in next month's matches against Scotland and Ireland.

Wilkinson is on a similar recovery programme from his knee injury and the Falcons hope both will fit in a couple of games before the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Stade Francais in Paris on April 2.