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Falcons bring Williams across the codes

Friday 25th July 2008

Newcastle Falcons announced the signing of England and Leeds Rhinos Rugby League wing Danny Williams on Friday, with Falcons assistant coach Alan Tait smoothing out the process.

The 21-year-old joins the Falcons on an initial one-year deal, and will arrive at Kingston Park on August 4 as the club continues its pre-season preparations.

"He's extremely tough, very physical in contact and an outstanding finisher," said dual-code Lion Tait.

"Danny would fall in to the same sort of bracket as Chris Ashton who has been such a success at Northampton, admittedly at a lower level than the Guinness Premiership, but I'm really excited about him coming here for this season.

"His size and pace will be real assets for us, and what has impressed me a lot is the hunger he has to make a success of switching to rugby union. He has come through a real tough competitive environment at Leeds Rhinos, done well on loan at Hull and Castleford, and there were a host of Super League teams after him."

Making his Rhinos debut at just 19 years of age, the 6ft, 13 stone 9 pound Williams marked his maiden appearance with a try in the televised Super League clash at St Helens.

He went on to score 12 tries in his 15 first team appearances that year including a hat-trick against Harlequins in the Challenge Cup quarter-final, adding a further ten tries during his nine-game loan spell at Castleford.

Making his full England debut against France in 2007, Williams is one of an outstanding crop of youngsters to have come through the Leeds academy in recent seasons.

"Danny is a very exciting young talent, and someone we believe has a great chance of making an impact in union," said Falcons Director of Rugby Steve Bates.

"We have been on the lookout for a player of his type for some time now, knowing that we had to strengthen our back three options.

"Having Alain Tait on board has opened up new markets to us with his knowledge and contacts in rugby league, and he rates Danny highly with his finishing ability and physicality both qualities that have made him stand out in a very talented Leeds Rhinos squad.

"Clearly with switching codes there is a lot for him to learn in a relatively short space of time, but the outside backs is the one area of the team where most of the skills are transferrable. Alan will work very closely with him in getting him up to speed with rugby union, and we look forward to seeing the impact he makes with us."