The Newcastle Falcons full-back Alex Tait has signed a new one-year contract. Tait, who turns 21 next week and is the younger brother of the England player Mathew Tait, has been out of the team with an ankle injury this seaon, but he has been back in the team recently and is considered a key player for the club's future.

The club's director of rugby, Steve Bates, said: "Alex is an exceptional talent who has already shown his class at Guinness Premiership level, and will only get better. He is a fearless competitor, and an outstanding athlete with a good boot who is very solid under the high ball. It is therefore not surprising that there was keen competition for Alex's signature, but we are delighted that he has agreed this new deal."

Tait said: "There is a real buzz around the club right now, with a good core of players working hard together. We have really turned things round since Christmas, the team is coming together nicely and I'm excited about the prospects for next season."