Saxons fly-half in to help boost Carnegie

He joins on a dual registration/loan deal until the end of the season and is set to go straight in to the Leeds squad for Sunday’s Championship fixture against Plymouth Albion at Headingley.

Given Joe Ford is the club’s only recognised fly-half, head coach Diccon Edwards has long been on the look out for further options in that crucial area and the new arrival – who turns 23 this weekend – will certainly increase competition.

Clegg joined Harlequins from Newcastle Falcons in 2009 and has played 53 games for the club but is currently thwarted by the form of ex-New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans and Ben Botica – son of former Wigan RL and All Blacks great Frano.

Doncaster Knights are the latest side charged with trying to halting Newcastle today.

They host the undefeated Championship leaders at Castle Park (2.30pm) knowing chances of victory are minimal.

However, Doncaster, who have signed ex-Leeds and Rotherham scrum-half Joe Bedford on loan from Newport Gwent Dragons, take positives from the fact London Scottish pushed Newcastle close last week, losing just 12-9 up in the north-east.

The South Yorkshire club have James Tincknell back, Connor Braid forges a new half-back pairing with Louis Silver and lock Dominic Parsons returns from illness.

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Doncaster are a good side.

“They can play some good rugby, and at times throughout the season they have caused sides a problem.

“They just haven’t done it consistently but I’m expecting a tough test when we go down to their place.”