Tait (left) has signed for one year while Vickers has agreed a two-year deal

Hooker Rob Vickers, full-back Alex Tait, prop Micky Ward and scrum-half Chris Pilgrim have all signed new contracts with Newcastle Falcons.

Vickers, 28, has signed a two-year contract extension at Kingston Park, while 21-year-old Tait has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal.

Ward, 31, has also penned a 12-month contract extension which will take his Falcons career into a 12th year.

Pilgrim, 24, who joined from Nottingham last summer, has signed for two years.

Vickers has enjoyed a fine season for Newcastle and was rewarded by making his England Saxons debut against Italy A, while Tait has started 20 times for the Falcons this season.

Director of rugby Steve Bates said: "Rob and Alex are both key contract renewals for us and evidence that our top players are backing the ambition being shown by the club as we prepare for next season.

Everyone knows what a great club man Micky Ward is, and it is fantastic news that he has signed on for another year with us Falcons coach Steve Bates

"Both players are key to the ambitious plans that we have here at the Falcons, and the fact that they are committed to the club gives us a great foundation on which we can build as we continue our recruitment and retention plans for 2010/11."

Bates was also delighted that Ward, who has made more than 250 appearances for Newcastle in more than a decade with the club, and Pilgrim have committed their futures to the Falcons.

"Everyone knows what a great club man Micky Ward is, and it is fantastic news that he has signed on for another year with us," added Bates.

"He brings vast Guinness Premiership experience to the table, he remains a strong scrummager and his attitude behind the scenes is an example to all aspiring players.

"Chris has impressed us greatly since arriving on trial last summer, he is a tough competitor and a quick learner who has adapted well to Guinness Premiership rugby."

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