Homegrown back-rower Freddie Lockwood has signed a new two-year deal to remain at Newcastle Falcons.

Lockwood turned 23 in December and has already made 39 first team appearances for the Falcons, with the North Yorkshire native having come through Barnard Castle School.

He said: “It’s great to have signed up for another two seasons, and I’m happy to commit to the club.

“This is my fifth year here, and the Falcons mean everything to me.

“I’ve come through the academy, like a lot of the lads have, and it’s an amazing feeling to represent your local club in the top flight.”

Determined to continue his positive progress, Lockwood said: “For the next two years I just want to keep on pushing and putting myself forward for first-team selection, helping the club to be successful.

“Over the last couple of seasons I’ve been in and around the match-day squads, and I want to really push on now and take that step on a more consistent basis.

“Through hard work I believe I can challenge for a spot in the back row, but there’s great competition up here and it’s a club which means a huge amount to me.”

Forwards coach Micky Ward said: “Freddie offers us a big ball-carrying option and he’s getting better all the time.

“He’s being challenged by the likes of Callum Chick and Guy Pepper in a really competitive back row where he’s really pushing hard for selection every week.

“He has really raised his standards and continues to improve, so I’m looking forward to him being a big part of the team going forward.”