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Former USA captain Todd Clever has been signed by Newcastle Falcons for the 2015-16 season. One of the more recognizable players in American rugby for the past decade, Clever was replaced as skipper this year by Chris Wyles, and then abruptly discarded by head coach Mike Tolkin for reportedly missing mandatory training sessions.
An aggressive back row player, he has played professional rugby since 2006, when he joined New Zealand provincial side North Harbour, before moving to the Lions in South Africa, where he also got a taste of Super Rugby. Japan was his home for the best part of five seasons, beginning in 2010 with Suntory Sungoliath, and then NTT Shining Arcs. He returned home to play for OMBAC in San Diego earlier this year to prepare for the World Cup.
Tolkin instead chose not to recall Clever for the tournament, despite saying he would be re-considered after the Pacific Nations Cup. Matt Trouville was added when Scott LaValla was forced to withdraw through injury, which heavily suggests that the chances of Clever returning to international rugby are slim and none, at least with the current coaching staff.
Clever joins Eagles World Cup prop Eric Fry at Falcons, a long-standing club in England’s Aviva Premiership competition. Newcastle have finished 11th in each of the past two seasons since returning to the Premiership after being relegated to the second division for the 2012-13 season. They are coached by former British & Irish Lions no8 Dean Richards, who won 48 caps for England while at Leicester Tigers.
