Ryan featured for Munster against the All Blacks in November 2008

Newcastle Falcons have signed 26-year-old prop Tim Ryan from French Top 14 side Toulon on a one-year deal.

Falcons head coach Alan Tait has confirmed that Ryan will be his first-choice tight-head in place of departing former All Black Carl Hayman.

The Ireland international rose through the Munster ranks under the wing of Test veteran John Hayes.

He played in all but one of Toulon's European matches last season including the Amlin Challenge Cup final.

Tait is confident Ryan can fill the gap left by Hayman, who has moved in the opposite direction to Toulon.

I'm more than satisfied that I've got my man Alan Tait

"It's been a hell of a task trying to find a tight-head of the quality that will help take this team on, but I'm more than satisfied that I've got my man," he said.

Ryan's arrival brings the total of new Falcons players to 10 along with: Ally Hogg (Edinburgh), Jeremy Manning (Munster), Luke Eves (Bristol), Luke Fielden (Bedford), Glen Townson (Doncaster), James Hall (Coventry), Mark Wilson (Blaydon), Joe Graham (Tynedale) and James Fitzpatrick (Blaydon).

The Falcons have also announced their list of departing players for next season.

They are: Adam Balding, Tom Biggs, Peter Browne, Spencer Davey, Carl Hayman, Chris Micklewood, Rob Miller, Laurence Ovens, Mark Sorenson and Alex Walker.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version