Long made 123 first team appearances for Newcastle

Northampton Saints have signed former Newcastle Falcons hooker Andy Long on a short-term contract.

The 32-year-old has agreed a deal which will keep him at Franklin's Gardens until the end of the season.

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder told the club's website: "Andy will give us experienced cover in a specialist position.

"He hasn't come here to make up the numbers. Andy wants a first team shirt and to play more Premiership rugby."

Long is a graduate of the Bath Academy and played for Munster and Rotherham before joining Newcastle in 2004.

He has two England caps and will provide competition for Dylan Hartley, Brett Sharman and Joe Gray.

Mallinder added: "Sharman and Gray have played well while Dylan Hartley has been away with England, but they are both young and in the early stages of their careers.

"It is therefore a bonus to the squad to have someone like Andy around, who has played in the Guinness Premiership for a number of years as well as representative rugby."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version