New signing Brookes excited for Saints challenge

Kieran Brookes (second left) scraps it out against Saints during their Premiership clash last September

The 24-year-old will move to Franklin’s Gardens from Newcastle Falcons this summer.

The England man, who has six caps to his name, will compete with Gareth Denman for the Saints No.3 shirt next season.

And Brookes is excited by the prospect of battling for a place in the Aviva Premiership champions’ starting 15.

“I’m looking forward to joining Northampton Saints next season,” Brookes said. “Their record over the last few seasons speaks for itself and I’m under no illusions of the quality of squad I’m going in to and the challenge that presents.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Falcons and in particular working with John Wells and Micky Ward, both of whom have helped me massively, and in the meantime all my efforts will be concentrated on helping us finish as high up the league as we can.”

Newcastle had been hugely keen to keep one of their prized assets, but Dean Richards’ efforts ultimately proved in vain.

And the Falcons boss said: “We’re obviously disappointed to see Kieran head to Northampton, as we would have liked him to stay here, at the club that has helped him to develop into the full England international that he is today.

“Attempts were made to retain Kieran over a 10-month period but during the course of the negotiations it became clear that he and his agent were looking to move.”