Gray will travel to Argentina with the England Under-20s side

Newcastle Falcons back row Alex Gray is disappointed for Kingston Park team-mate Tom Catterick after injury ended his Junior World Championship hopes.

Catterick picked up a shoulder injury in a warm-up match for England's Under-20s side and will now miss the tournament in Argentina this June.

"It's any player's worst nightmare to get injured in a warm-up game 10 days before we go," Gray told BBC Newcastle.

"It's a massive blow, but he's a strong lad and he'll take it in his stride."

The former Barnard Castle School pupil made his Falcons senior debut in the Amlin Challenge Cup against Albi in October 2009 and went on to make four appearances in the competition, the last coming in a bruising encounter with eventual winners Cardiff Blues in January.

And despite waiting to make his Premiership bow, Gray is confident the club can work towards an improved league position next season after a battle against relegation this campaign.

"Last season there was a massive change of personnel, it was pretty much a new squad, whereas this year we've had a whole season together and know each other," said Gray.

"I hope the Falcons can push up the table. This season we had an aim of getting into the Heineken Cup places which is where we think Newcastle Falcons should be.

"We won't settle for less than that next season."

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