Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Falcons swoop for Sharks flanker Cameron Neild

By Josh Raisey
Cameron Neild of Sale Sharks makes a break during a Club Friendly match between Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on March 15, 2024 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)

Newcastle Falcons have swiftly replaced outgoing flanker Guy Pepper with Sale Sharks’ Cameron Neild.

ADVERTISEMENT

Just hours after Newcastle announced Pepper’s move to Bath at the end of the season, the Gallagher Premiership strugglers have revealed that Neild will take his place in the back row on a two-year deal.

The 29-year-old’s move to Kingston Park will see him team up with Falcons consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond again having worked with him at Edinburgh, Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks.

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Chasing the Sun, the extraordinary documentary that traces the Springboks’ road to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is coming to RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Chasing the Sun, the extraordinary documentary that traces the Springboks’ road to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is coming to RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

The former England U20 flanker joined Edinburgh from Glasgow Warriors in 2023, before securing a short-term move for his second stint at Sale in February. But he will be relocating again at the end of the season.

After signing, Neild said: “I’ve played against Newcastle a number of times, but one that always sticks in my mind was back in 2016 on the final day of the season when I went up to Kingston Park with Sale Sharks.

Fixture
Gallagher Premiership
Bristol
85 - 14
Full-time
Newcastle
All Stats and Data

“We needed to win to get into the top six and qualify for the Champions Cup, which we narrowly did, but Nili Latu scored a hat-trick for Newcastle and they really took it to us upfront.

“It was one of those days where you think ‘wow, that was a proper game’, and I always associate Newcastle with that kind of bruising performance where they’re really dogged and niggly.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It was a fond memory for me because Sale got the result and qualified for the Champions Cup, but I’ve always had a respect for the confrontational side of the game that Newcastle have. I’m sure with Dimes in charge they’ll be playing on that in a pretty big way, and I’m looking forward to getting involved up there.”

Diamond added: “Cam is a very good Premiership operator who has played over a century of games in the competition.

“I’ve had him at quite a few clubs now so he is obviously a player I rate very highly, and he’s been unfortunate with some of the players he’s been behind during that time.

“At Sale he had the Curry brothers and at Edinburgh and Glasgow he was vying with established internationals, but he’s always given a great account of himself whenever he’s been called upon.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He brings a wealth of experience and he fits the mould of the players we’re trying to bring in at the moment. He has that hard edge about him, he’s not past his sell-by date and he’s got that real work ethic which is a great fit as we look to move this Newcastle Falcons squad forward.”

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Chasing The Sun | Series 1 Episode 1

Fresh Starts | Episode 2 | Sam Whitelock

Royal Navy Men v Royal Air Force Men | Full Match Replay

Royal Navy Women v Royal Air Force Women | Full Match Replay

Abbie Ward: A Bump in the Road

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 9

James Cook | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

New Zealand victorious in TENSE final | Cathay/HSBC Sevens Day Three Men's Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Israel Dagg blasts Crusaders, weighs in on Rob Penney's future Dagg blasts Crusaders, debates Penney's future
Search