Newcastle Falcons have confirmed their pre-season schedule will include a training camp in France as well as a number of friendlies.

Super 14 side Western Force will kick off preparations on Friday, 8 August to commemorate the departure of former Australian international Matthew Burke.

A trip to Leeds Carnegie on Saturday, 17 August is then followed by the training camp on Tuesday, 19 August.

The week concludes with a match against Racing Metro 92 on Sunday, 24 August.

Meanwhile, academy flanker Will Welch has been added to the England under-18 squad for their July tour of Argentina.

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The 17-year-old joins team-mates back rower Alex Gray, fly half Rory Clegg and full-back Tom Catterick, coached by former Falcons boss John Fletcher.

Clegg, Catterick and Gray all helped England to a Grand Slam in the Under-18s Six Nations earlier this year.

Welch starred for the English in the AER European Championships.