Controversial wing Arscott 'desperate' to prove himself in Premiership after French exile

Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of controversial former Premiership player Tom Arscott from next season.

The former Sale Sharks players says he's 'desperate' to prove himself after his last stint in the Premiership ended in controversy.

Arscott joins from French club Rouen where he has been playing under the tutelage of Richard Hill, the man who was at the helm when he made his Premiership debut for Bristol back in 2007.

Going on to play top-flight rugby with Worcester Warriors, London Welsh and Sale Sharks, the Plymouth-born player adds further finishing power and experience to a Falcons squad which has been making great strides in recent years.

However, Arscott was sacked by Sale Sharks after meeting his brother Luke on the eve of Premiership match between Sale and Bristol in early 2017.

Arscott's contract with the club was set to run out at the end of the season but the winger always denied giving his brother any information that could have proved detrimental to his team.

Excited by the prospect of joining the Premiership’s most northerly club, Arscott said: “It’s a league I always wanted to return to, and I feel I have something to offer Newcastle.

“With the way things were left at Sale Sharks I was desperate to get the opportunity come back to the Premiership and prove myself a little bit, and thankfully Dean has given me that chance.

“Newcastle are having an awesome season on the back of an encouraging one the year before, the club is going in the right direction and I’ve enjoyed watching their games on the TV from over in France.

“The players who have been brought in and retained over the last three or four years firmly suggest that this is a club doing the right things, and that was a massive attraction. I’m ambitious, I want to push myself with some of the best back three players in the Premiership and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

A regular try-scorer for Rouen during his time with the French club, Arscott said: “With the way things finished up at Sale it was good to get away from the UK and just put things to one side, but I’ve been desperate to come back.

“It has been bittersweet in the sense that Rouen has been great and I’ve enjoyed my time there, but I always knew the Premiership was where I really wanted to be. I’m desperate to be in that environment, I have a massive hunger within me to prove myself here and I know I’ll be alongside great players.

“I can learn a huge amount from the guys who are here, I feel I also have a bit to pass on to some of the guys and overall it’s just a move which feels right. I’m joining a club who are doing the right things and it’s also a lovely part of the world.”

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Tom is a proven performer at Premiership level over a long period of time, he knows his way to the try-line and he suits the way we want to play.

“Whether that be at wing, full-back or even outside centre doesn’t matter, but it’s great news for the club that we have been able to bring him on board.”

The 30-year-old has scored 29 tries in his 104 Premiership appearances, playing predominantly at wing and full-back but with the ability to also slot into the centres.

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