Newcastle make ex-Wasps lock their third signing for 2023/24

Ex-Wasps forward Tim Cardall has become the third new Newcastle signing for next season following last week’s announcement of Scottish pair Kiran McDonald and Murray McCallum. The Melbourne Rebels lock will join Falcons on a two-year deal. The 6ft 6in, 19-stone 26-year-old Englishman is currently playing in Super Rugby for the Australian franchise, having spent four seasons with Wasps.

Cardall said: “Newcastle is a great city and it is somewhere I’m really looking forward to moving to. I have played at Kingston Park a few times for a number of teams and I know it’s a hard place for an opposition to come, so I’m looking forward to being on the other side of that.

“As a club, I was really impressed with how Dave Walder and the other coaches presented it to me. They are a team that plays with a lot of physicality and have a very good set-piece, and this is what excited me about moving to the Falcons. To have the opportunity to work with guys like Scott MacLeod as a lineout coach is something I’m also really looking forward to.”

Newcastle boss Walder added: “Tim was performing well at Wasps prior to their problems at the start of the season, and we are glad to have been able to add him to our squad. He has got an outstanding attitude, he knows the Gallagher Premiership and we will be watching closely to see how he goes if he gets an opportunity for Melbourne Rebels during Super Rugby prior to joining us in pre-season.”

Cardall played for England U18s and began his professional rugby journey in Northampton Saints’ senior academy, going on to spend two seasons at Nottingham while studying for a sports science and coaching degree at Nottingham Trent University.

During this time he played in the same England Students side as future Newcastle teammates Ben Stevenson and George Wacokecoke, with his current stint in Australia seeing him being coached by former Falcons, England and Lions lock Geoff Parling. “I’m loving my time in Melbourne so far, playing a different style of rugby and experiencing different cultures,” said Cardall.

“To be able to get the chance to come out and play some games in Super Rugby is something I’m really excited about, and I’m grateful for the opportunity the Rebels have given me after what happened with Wasps last year. Joining Newcastle, I would like to bring some skills in the loose and some knowledge around set-piece as well as a high work rate around the field.

“I know a few of the boys at the Falcons. As well as Ben and George from our England Students side I also played with Kiran McDonald and Seb de Chaves at Wasps, and I know Adam Radwan from playing sevens. Being able to re-connect with those guys will be great, I’m also looking forward to meeting new teammates and making new connections.”