Newcastle Falcons have completed the signing of Ethan Grayson on a short-term deal. The versatile back is capable of leading the line from fly half and is also a powerful presence in the midfield. Grayson joins the Falcons until the end of 2024, when he will then return out to the USA and resume his contract with San Diego Legion.
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The 22-year-old is a former England U20s international and is a product of the Northampton Saints academy. Grayson made five senior appearances for the Saints, whilst also impressing out on loan in the Championship with Bedford Blues.
The son of former England fly-half Paul Grayson, Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond is delighted to have him on board.
The director of rugby said: “Ethan is in between contracts with heading back to America in the new year, so it’s a window of opportunity for us to bring in a good young player for a few months.
“Our senior coach Alan Dickens knows him from their time together at Northampton Saints and England Under-20s, and he can do a job for us.
“We’ve spoken on a number of occasions about running a smaller squad this season, and one thing that does do is give us the ability to act quickly when players become available and we have a spot for them to come in.”
Grayson, who started training with the Falcons on Monday, said: “I’m in between seasons with San Diego and the timing has worked out really well, so I’ll be here until the new year and am looking forward to it.
“We got to the quarter-finals of Major League Rugby which finished in August and starts again in January, and during the interim I’ll be here in Newcastle trying to make a positive contribution.
“I’m buzzing to be back in a Premiership environment, to be working with Alan Dickens again and buying into the vision that Dimes has for the club.”
Asked what he hopes to add to the squad, the versatile back said: “I’d like to think I’m a distributor who can play across 10, 12 and 13, and bring a bit of a kicking game. I can run a short ball to the line as well with that element of physicality, and hopefully I can offer some variety.”
Newcastle Falcons open their Gallagher Premiership season at home to Bristol Bears on Friday.
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10. Owen Farrell – £1.46 million ($2 million)
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8. Charles Piutau – £1.85 million ($2.5 million)
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