Relegated Falcons' recruitment is continuing without the handbrake on

Exeter Chiefs lock Toby Salmon will join relegated Newcastle Falcons in the summer on a two-year deal. The 26-year-old Norfolk native, who stands at 6ft 5ins and weighs 120kg, made 16 appearances in his two seasons with the Chiefs after joining from Rotherham.

His stint with Exeter included a start in their victorious 2018 Anglo-Welsh Cup final where he scored a try.

Salmon said: "I've benefited hugely from being in the Chiefs environment. I've always viewed Newcastle as being a great team and a great set-up, and when I've spoken to people who have experienced it up there that's exactly what they have said.

"The Falcons have a really good team culture which is evident whenever you watch them play. It's an exciting move for me and I'm looking forward to getting up there."

A scorer of four tries during his time with the Chiefs, the lock added: "I've really enjoyed my two years with Exeter and developed a huge amount during that time, but the opportunities for game time were difficult to come by.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully getting some more minutes under my belt with Newcastle. I realise that won't be easy because they have a very competitive squad, but I've played up there a few times previously and I'm just keen to get started.

"The coaches and the senior players down at Exeter have really brought me on. It has been a great environment to be part of and it's made me ready for this next challenge up at Newcastle.

"I've been up there as an opposition player and it's a really tough place to go, so it will be nice to be on the home side!"

Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards welcomed Salmon to the soon-to-be Championship club, saying: "Toby is a useful player who has really benefited from his time down at Exeter.

"He is a solid operator who will fit in very well with the team ethic we have up here, and we look forward to him joining us for pre-season."

Salmon becomes the Falcons' latest confirmed signing for next season second tier campaign following USA lock Greg Peterson (Bordeaux-Begles), lock Darren Barry (Worcester Warriors) and Welsh centre Gareth Owen (Leicester Tigers) and England under-20s back row Josh Basham into the set-up.

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