The former Durham University student, who has also won a Blue for Cambridge, returned to action on the club’s summer tour of Japan, scoring a try with his first touch of the ball against NEC in Tokyo before going on to make eight starts and seven bench outings so far this season.

“Ben has shown an enormous amount of courage in coming back from such a serious injury,” said Falcons forwards coach Peter Walton.

“We always knew he was an exceptionally talented player, but after working incredibly hard during his rehabilitation he has surpassed all of our expectations with the speed in which he has acclimatised to Premiership rugby.

“He fully deserves his contract after his performances this season, and he will play a big part for us as this team continues to develop.”

The Barnsley-born back rower, who has represented England at Under-21 and Students level, said on signing his new deal: “I’m really happy to be back playing again after such a long lay-off, and to have secured a new contract.

“The club has been fantastic in helping me back after the injury when there was a very real chance I might not have played again, so I’m incredibly thankful to our physio Salwa Bowen, and to Peter Walton, John Fletcher and the rest of the staff for the way they’ve helped me back.

“Now that I’m playing again I’m just concentrating on making the most of my chances in the first team, and helping the club push on for trophies in the future.”