Alex joined the Falcons' professional squad in the summer of 2009, having come through the club's academy.

The former Barnard Castle Schoolboy has captained England to Grand Slams at both Under-16s and 18s levels, making his Under-18s debut three years young when they toured Australia in 2007.

He then skippered the Under-18s through a clean sweep in the 2008 Home Nations tournament, before leading them to six wins from six on their summer tour to Argentina.

2009 saw more success at age group level as he led England 18s again, before signing a two-year first team contract at the age of just 17.

Having started the 2009-10 season on loan with Canterbury in New Zealand, Gray made his first team debut in the LV= Cup at Cardiff before going on to star for England Under-20s in the Six Nations and World Cup in Argentina.

NAME: Alex Gray

NICKNAMES: Shaggy

SCHOOL ATTENDED: Barnard Castle

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Darlington Mowden Park

FAVOURITE TV SHOWS: Family Guy, Buffy The Vampire Slayer

FAVOURITE FILM: Transformers 2

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Acoustic Rock

FAVOURITE FOOD: Meat

FAVOURITE BOOK: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

RUGBY HERO: Richie McCaw

SPORTING HERO: Lance Armstrong

NON-SPORTING HERO: Mr T

BEST MATE IN RUGBY: Lee Imiolek

MOST LIKE TO MEET: Optimis Prime

LEAST LIKE TO MEET: Tom Catterick

BEST MOMENT IN RUGBY: Captaining England age groups

BEST MOMENT OUTSIDE OF RUGBY: Watersports trip to Spain, 2004.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO VISIT: Sydney

I LOVE: ... it when a plan comes together!

I HATE: Homework