The England A international joins us following a loan spell at relegated Leeds at the end of last season, and has a reputation as a powerful ball carrier from the base of the scrum.  He will fight it out with Russell Winter and last season’s captain Phil Dowson for a first team place, unless of course as has been suggested Dowse returns to his former position of openside to replace Ben Woods.

Coventry-born Balding began his career at Leicester, joining under a scholarship scheme with Andy Goode and our own James Grindal, and made his Premiership debut as a replacement in 1998/99.  The following season he was the Tigers’ young player of the season, and made 81 appearances in all during his time in the Midlands.

He joining Gloucester in the summer of 2004 and ending his first season at Kingsholm as captain.  However, injuries and competition from James Forrester, Luke Narraway and Gareth Delve restricted his appearances over four seasons in the south west to just 60.  He also scored four tries in a cherry and white shirt to go with three at Leicester, so perhaps points are not what we should be expecting.

Balding made his debut for Leeds against Bath in late December 2007, making sporadic appearances and was unable to help the Carnegians (?) stay in the Premiership.

He remains in the Premiership though, having signed a two-year contract at KP, and although Balding is a signing in a position we seem to be strong in, whilst others are neglected, I welcome him and wish him a long and successful career with the Falcons.

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