Newcastle Falcons have reinforced their front-row stocks by securing academy product Ollie Fletcher through the 2024-25 season. The 22-year-old hooker's extension comes after a breakthrough Gallagher Premiership campaign featuring 3 tries in 24 appearances.

Key Developments:

• Extends professional career at boyhood club through 2025
• Recorded 87% lineout success rate in 2022-23 season
• Set to face Saracens in season opener (26 September)
• Part of Newcastle's 65% homegrown senior squad

Fletcher emphasized his local roots during the announcement:

"Wearing the Falcons jersey represents everything I've worked for since joining the academy at 14. The North East's rugby resurgence demands we build from within – I'm committed to being part of that legacy."

Director of Rugby Dean Richards praised Fletcher's development: "Ollie embodies our youth-first philosophy. His scrummaging improvements and leadership in set pieces make him indispensable as we target top-six Premiership status."

Upcoming Fixtures

• vs Saracens (Home) - 26 Sept
• vs Leicester Tigers (Away) - 1 Oct
• vs Sale Sharks (Home) - 8 Oct

With 12 Falcons players currently in England age-grade squads, Fletcher's extension reinforces Newcastle's strategy of developing Northeast talent. The club's academy has produced 23 first-team players since 2018.