Newcastle's Pepper to join Bristol next season

Max Pepper in action for Newcastle Falcons in January (Photo: Getty)

Newcastle Falcons winger Max Pepper is to join Bristol Bears next season after rejecting a new contract offered by the north east club.

His departure was revealed by Falcons consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond, who had earmarked Pepper as Adam Radwan's replacement following his move to Leicester Tigers last month.

But the 23-year-old, who is out for the rest of the season because of an ankle injury, will leave Kingston Park having played just four Premiership games for the club.

Pepper's older brother, Guy, left Newcastle last summer to join Bath.

"I'm disappointed because I thought we had given Max a lot of opportunities here," said Diamond.

According to Diamond, Pepper - who can operate as a winger or scrum-half - was offered a greatly improved deal at Newcastle.

"I got a phone to say he was not taking up the offer and that he was leaving, so I'm pretty disappointed about it," Diamond said.

"The problem Newcastle have is you give these lads opportunities and they jump ship.

"These young lads are influenced by their agents, promises of what they can get elsewhere. But what they can't promise them is will they get the game time at these clubs that have squads of 60, 70 players."

After his move was confirmed by Bristol, Pepper said he was "incredibly grateful" for the opportunity Newcastle had given him, but that he believed the Bears' "brand of rugby will suit my skill set, whether I get opportunities playing at nine or on the wing".

He continued: "Since leaving school with no contract, playing in New Zealand through Covid and the three years I spent at Durham University playing in BUCS Super Rugby, I have strived to be the best player I can be. I am looking forward to the next few years of my development with Bristol."

Pepper was the BUCS Super Rugby Player of the Season for Durham University in 2023/24 before joining the Falcons, for whom he made his Gallagher Premiership debut against Bristol at Ashton Gate last April.

After playing for England Students against French Universities in May, he was then called up to the Great Britain 7s squad for their Rugby Europe tournament in Croatia the following month and signed a one-year professional contract with the Falcons.

Bears director of rugby Pat Lam called the versatile back "a talented young player who certainly fits the way we like to play."

He added: "With us continuing to run a smaller squad next season, it's great to have a few players who are versatile to play in multiple positions.

"Like our captain Fitz Harding, Max is another player to progress through the BUCS Super Rugby pathway with Durham University and he is hungry to continue his learning and growth with the Bears from the start of next season."