Mike Blair: Newcastle snap up experienced No 9
Newcastle Falcons have completed the signing of Scotland's most-capped scrum-half Mike Blair on a two-year deal.
Blair, who has represented his country on 85 occasions, will make the move to Kingston Park from French club Brive at the end of the season.
The Falcons boast a 100% record in the Championship this season and they are heavy favourites to make it back to the Aviva Premiership at the first time of asking, although they will need to make it successfully through the end-of-season play-offs to do so.
"There has always been a strong Scottish influence at Newcastle Falcons and I am delighted to continue in that tradition," said Blair, whose international colleague Rory Lawson is also a member of the Falcons squad.
"Newcastle has ambitions to challenge in the Aviva Premiership, and although there are still the play-offs to be played, they are in a good position to be promoted and to achieve this goal.
"I am really enjoying my time in France but I feel that playing with Newcastle Falcons will provide me with a rugby challenge that I have been looking for."
Director of rugby Dean Richards said: "Mike is a fantastic acquisition for the club and he will add considerable experience from his time in the Scotland set-up. I look forward to welcoming him to Kingston Park." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12505/8625426/Mike-Blair-to-leave-Brive-and-join-Premiership-hopefuls-Newcastle
