Newcastle number eight Phil Dowson will remain at Kingston Park until 2009 after agreeing a new two-year contract.
Dowson, 25, has been sidelined with a bicep injury since October but has resumed full training and is close to making a comeback.
Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher said: "Phil is an integral part of our plans and having him at the club for the next two seasons is fantastic news.
"He was showing exceptional form up until his injury earlier this season, and was very much in the England reckoning after going on the Churchill Cup tour in 2005.
"He has matured both as a person and a player, and is increasingly becoming a senior member of the squad."
