Redford Pennycook leaves Newcastle Falcons for Bristol

Pennycook has played 10 games for Newcastle this season

Redford Pennycook has left Newcastle to re-sign for Bristol for next season.

The 26-year-old flanker spent five years at the Memorial Stadium, making 58 appearances, before joining the Falcons in 2010.

Pennycook follows fellow Bristolian Luke Eves in leaving the Premiership side to return to their hometown club.

Coach Liam Middleton told BBC Radio Bristol: "I've wanted to bring him back to Bristol for some months now as he fits the vision we have for the club."

He continued: "Redford's an academy product, a Bristol boy, and plays the game in the way we want it to be played.

"Most imporantly, he wants to come back to Bristol. Once we knew that, the door was open for him and we're pleased to have him back."

Following their 37-3 victory over Rotherham on Sunday, top of the table Bristol have now secured themselves a top-four finish in the Championship.

Middleton revealed that Pennycook will need to undergo a shoulder operation on his arrival at the club but should be fit enough to be involved in the play-offs, which start in March.