The former Barnard Castle schoolboy made his first team debut during the 2006/7 season, having come through the club’s academy.

Originally a prop at school, Batty converted to hooker with a spell at the International Rugby Academy in New Zealand, before going on loan to NPC provincial team Wairarapa Bush.

Having returned to England for the start of the 2006/7 campaign Batty then went on to feature from the bench on a number of occasions. An athletic front rower, he has also successfully turned his hand to the Sevens game with a number of trophies under his belt for both the Falcons and the KooGa Wailers.

In 2007 he scored the winning try for the Falcons in the Middlesex Sevens, before joining Northampton on loan for the first two months of the 2007/8 season.

School/university: Barnard Castle School

Previous clubs: Darlington Mowden Park

Nicknames: Batty Boy

Favourite TV show: The Sopranos

Favourite film: Reservoir Dogs

Favourite music: Allsorts, whatever mood I’m in

Favourite book: Angels and Demons

Favourite food: Spaghetti Bolognese, chicken pasta bake

Most like to meet: Pamela Anderson

Least like to meet: Tim Visser

Best moment outside of rugby: Becoming the best Pro Evo Soccer player ever

Favourite place to visit: Rome

Team-mate least like to share a room with and why: Tim Visser, he never shuts up

I love: Food of any kind