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Attack coach Dave Walder is excited by the squad Newcastle Falcons are putting together for next season.

The 2015-16 campaign does not end until Saturday, when Sale Sharks are visitors to Kingston Park, but already plans are being put in place for next term.

Newcastle has been confirmed as the venue for Group C of the pre-season Premiership Rugby Sevens and this week the Falcons announced a seventh addition to their squad.

Canada lock Evan Olmstead has joined from London Scottish.

“I don’t know much about him – as a lock he’s not my department – but I think he will be a good signing for us,” commented Walder. “I know he’s got a great engine and a good workrate.

“We’ve made some good signings already for next season and it’s exciting times.

“When we were in that period when we were down at the bottom fighting relegation it can be quite hard to convince players to join. We always had confidence we could avoid the drop and it’s good other people were prepared to show that confidence in us.”

Newcastle only confirmed their Premiership status at the weekend, although the decisive game came a fortnight when they recorded a 13-6 victory over rivals London Irish.

It has not stopped them pushing ahead with their recruitment drive, with Verenki Goneva, Sam Egerton, Sam Lockwood, Joel Hodgson, Harrison Orr And Ben Sowrey also agreeing to join Dean Richards’ side.

Newcastle will play Sale, Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors when they host the pre-season sevens tournament for a third successive summer.

The competition, the only one in which all 12 Premiership clubs and the four Welsh professional regions take part, is in its eighth year. The Falcons have won every group stage they have been involved in.

The other groups will take place at Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park and Northampton Saints’ Franklins Gardens. Wasps’ Ricoh Arena hosts the series finals night.

The Falcons are hoping the quickest form of the game can provide a showcase for new supporters, and 2016-17 season ticket holders will be able to bring a friend free of charge, with further tickets available on a two-for-one basis. Complimentary tickets need to be claimed by May 31.