Pasqualin has earned England Under-20 recognition

Newcastle Falcons have signed Gloucester scrum-half Jordi Pasqualin for the 2011-12 season.

The 20-year-old half-back has represented the England Under-20 side and racked up 15 appearances for the Cherry and Whites so far this season.

"I'm really excited about his style of rugby, he's a passer-link player," head coach Alan Tait told BBC Newcastle.

"He's not an explosive player around the ruck, though he does have a break, and he's a good, young scrum-half."

Tait added. "He's a kid that's desperate to move on, because he's sitting at Gloucester as a number three, and he wants to come up and challenge for the number one at Newcastle.

"That's the kind of challenge I like to see, because he's been at Gloucester since he was a kid, and it's a big demand coming away to prove yourself somewhere else."

Pasqualin joins former Bradford and Harlequins rugby league wing Ricki Sherriffe among the newcomers signed up for next season, joining existing Falcons players such as Luke Fielden, James Hudson and Jon Golding in committing to Tait's plans.

"It's another youngster on board, that's what I've said, I'd like to help the youngsters on, and let them grow together," Tait added.

"It is a gamble obviously because the Premiership is a tough league, so I do need the experienced guys as well.

"We've got another nine place [scrum-half in rugby union] to fill, let's see what we can find."

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