Newcastle lock down 'talented young player' Matavesi to new deal

Newcastle Falcons are have locked down one of their most promising players, Joel Matavesi.

Matavesi is yet to earn an international cap and is eligible for both England and Fiji.

Joel’s dad Sereli was the first Fijian to play for Camborne and Cornwall after his arrival in the 1980s, and his brothers Josh and Sam have also made their mark in the game.

Sam recently signed for French Top 14 giants Toulouse, having returned to the international fold last November helping Fiji to their famous win over France in Paris.

Now Joel Matavesi has agreed a new one-year contract with Newcastle. The 22-year old is a former Exeter Chiefs academy player, who also spent time with the Ospreys.

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The centre has helped Newcastle Falcons’ A-Team to win the Premiership Rugby Shield’s Northern Conference this season, director of rugby Dean Richards saying: “Joel is a talented young player who shows a lot of promise.

“He is a good ball-player with a lot of attacking ability, and we will continue to look to bring the best out of him during his time with us.”

Matavesi said: “I’m loving my time up here so far. I’ve come on loads, I want to continue to do so and this is the right environment for me to keep on learning.

“Working with coaches like Dave Walder and Mark Laycock has really helped me – I just want to keep improving and to show it on the pitch whenever I get the chance.”

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