NEWCASTLE Falcons completed their first summer signing yesterday as lock James Hudson penned a twoyear deal at Kingston Park.

Hudson will leave London Irish at the end of the season after making 67 Guinness Premiership appearances during a three-year spell with the exiles.

The 27-year-old, who has represented England Saxons in the Churchill Cup and also played Premiership rugby for Bath, has scored three tries in his 19 starts this season.

“James is a proven performer at Guinness Premiership level, and will add a huge amount to our team,” said Falcons director of rugby Steve Bates.

“His line-out skills are renowned throughout the league, he is a class operator who knows what it is all about and he will be a quality addition to our squad.”

Former Scotland lock and current Falcons assistant, Stuart Grimes, added: “James is a player we have been monitoring for some time and we are delighted he has chosen to come here next season.

“The expected law changes will mean that the line-out becomes an even more crucial part of the game next year, and having someone of James’ calibre on board in that area can only strengthen our armoury.”

Hudson is expected to be the first of a number of summer arrivals at Kingston Park, as Newcastle attempt to bolster a squad that has already been shorn of Phil Dowson, David Wilson and Geoff Parling, and that is also expected to lose Jonny Wilkinson before the end of the month.

Yesterday’s news also provides a much-needed fillip at the end of a difficult week that has included defeat in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup and confirmation of skipper Dowson’s departure.

Last weekend’s defeat to Saracens ensures that Newcastle will end the season without silverware, but with a large crowd expected to attend the club’s final home game against Bath tomorrow, winger Danny Williams denies that his team-mates have nothing left to play for.

“There might not be any trophies left to play for, but the boys are all pumped up for these last two games to finish the season on a high,” he said.

“Especially on Sunday in front of our own fans.

“Everyone was really disappointed after the Sarries game because that was our last chance of silverware, but I think Sunday’s match will give the fans an idea of how much our crowd means to the players.”

Williams has been one of Newcastle’s biggest success stories this season, having only switched codes from Leeds Rhinos last summer.

The 22-year-old has scored eight tries in 15 starts, and emerged as one of Falcons’ most potent attacking assets.

“It’s been a really tough but interesting season for me, with a massive amount of learning,” said the Yorkshireman, who has worked closely with dual-code Lion Alan Tait since moving to the North- East.

“I’ve been getting used to all new systems of play, different laws and tactics, and I don’t think it was until after Christmas that I really got fully to grips with it.

“The boys have been great at keeping me right, and the coaches have taken a lot of time with me after training to go through everything and work on my play.”

Bates has made three changes for tomorrow’s game, with Rob Vickers replacing Matt Thompson at hooker, Tim Swinson taking the place of Parling in the second row, and winger Tim Visser starting ahead of John Rudd.

FALCONS (vs Bath): Tait, Williams, Noon, Tu’ipulotu, Visser, May, Young; D Wilson, Vickers, Hayman, Swinson, Sorenson, Dowson, B Wilson, Balding.