Darlington Mowden Park are delighted to announce the signings of Callum Irvine and Dan Grange ahead of the 2019/20 National One season. The pair become the club’s third and fourth new signings of the summer respectively, adding to the wealth of re-signings already confirmed. Both players will soon join up for the club’s pre-season training camp starting next month.

Callum Irvine joins the club from National One rivals Rotherham Titans. The 25 year-old has made 25 league appearances for the Titans this season, having previously represented Yorkshire Carnegie, Hull Ionians and Harrogate. The versatile back, who can cover both fly half and full back, commented: “After speaking with Garry for a couple of seasons now it’s always been in my mind to play up here.”

Irvine brings Championship experience from his time with Carnegie, having also represented Scotland at U18 level. Looking ahead to the 2019/20 season, he added: “I like the brand of rugby that Mowden play and from what I’ve heard it’s a great environment to be involved in - around the players, coaches and supporters. That is massive when you want to go places as a club, and I want to be a part of that.”

Mowden Park Head Coach Garry Law was pleased to be welcoming Irvine to the club: “Callum is someone we know plenty about having come up against him on many an occasions over the last few years. He has always impressed and caused us problems in those games. He is an attacking minded player and is great at seeing space and utilising it. I'm looking forward to having him link up with our backline and help drive it forward.”

Joining Irvine in making the move to the Arena is back row Dan Grange, who has signed from Leeds Beckett University. Grange also has plenty of Championship experience under his belt, having previously represented both Yorkshire Carnegie and Rotherham Titans. Ahead of joining up with his new teammates, Grange commented: “I am over the moon to have signed for DMP. They have been a very competitive club in the league for a while now, and I’m exciting to get stuck in next season and continue to push for a high finish in National One.”

The 24 year-old, who has represented England at U16 and U17 level, has been an integral part of the Leeds Beckett squad that made it to this year’s BUCS Super Rugby Championship Final at Twickenham. Asked about his motivations for joining DMP, Grange added: “I have known Mark Luffman since I was 13 years old when he first brought me to Leeds Academy. I have a very good relationship with him, so I’m looking to learning from him again alongside Garry Law next season. The ambition and the infrastructure of the club really appealed to me, and having spoken to Mark about next season I was really keen to be a part of it.”

DMP’s Head Coach Garry Law added: “Dan is another guy with experience both on and off the pitch. He has most recently been playing for Beckett whilst working as an S&C Coach with Leeds Rhinos. He is a robust player and can cover all 3 positions along the back row, so will add real competition to an already competitive area.”

Callum and Dan have signed up for 2019/20 – Have you? You can now join the Mowden Family and purchase your Mowden Memberships online by clicking here.