Andy Goode makes retirement u-turn to sign for Newcastle

Monday 28 December 2015

Andy Goode has been lured out of retirement on a short-term contract with Newcastle Falcons, providing injury cover for Mike Delaney.

Goode, 35, had previously signed for London Irish over the summer but was forced to quit rugby due to injury in September and never made an appearance for the Exiles. Alongside Goode's unveiling, the Falcons also announced the signing of scrum-half Jamie Booth from New Zealand side Manawatu Turbos.

Both Goode and Booth have signed three-month contracts with Newcastle following injuries to half-back pairing Delaney and Rui Tipuna, who have both been ruled out of action until the spring.

Former Leicester, Saracens, Wasps and Worcester fly-half Goode, who was capped 17 times for England between 2005-2009, told the club's official website: "I'm looking forward to the challenge after having four months to recuperate and let my body recover.

"It's a short-term opportunity but I want to do as much as I can for the Falcons as I have a huge amount of respect for Dean, who I go back a long time with and who gave me my first opportunity at Leicester 17 years ago."

Both Goode and Booth, who attended Palmerston North Boys High School, could make their Falcons debuts as early as Saturday when Newcastle welcome Bath to Kingston Park.

Newcastle director of Rugby Dean Richards said: "We're delighted to welcome Andy and Jamie to Kingston Park, although there is obviously disappointment that they come through injuries to Mike and Ruki.

"With those two unavailable to us for the immediate future, the opportunity to bring in additional players of the quality of Andy and Jamie, to supplement what we already have here, was a great opportunity.

"Andy is a known quantity and will bring a huge amount of experience while Jamie has been impressing a lot of people over in New Zealand and has the opportunity to do the same here at Kingston Park."