Italian prop joins Falcons

Newcastle today completed the signing of Italian international prop Tino Paoletti.

Paoletti, who will join the Falcons from National League One club Plymouth Albion, has agreed a two-year deal, starting next season.

Capped 17 times, the 27-year-old made his Test debut against Scotland during the inaugural Six Nations Championship in 2000. Paoletti’s previous clubs include Italian sides Overmach Parma and Piacenza.

Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew said: “Tino will give us another scrummaging option with his size, and prop forward is a position where we have been looking to strengthen for some time.”

Falcons props Ian Peel, Micky Ward and David Wilson, meanwhile, have all agreed new two-year contracts at Kingston Park.