Former Wales prop Craig Mitchell has resurfaced at Gallagher Premiership club Newcastle Falcons.

The tight-head spent last season at Yorkshire Carnegie in the English Championship after spells at both the Dragons and the Cardiff Blues which appeared to suggest his career was in decline.

But Mitchell has impressed the Falcons playing for their reserve side in recent weeks and director of rugby Dean Richards has opted to hand the 32-year-old a three-month deal.

Richards said: “Craig is a vastly-experienced campaigner who can add to our depth at a time when we have been hit by a number of injuries to our props.

“We have had a good look at him in action for our A-Team over the last couple of Shield games, and it’s great to be able to draft him in for the next three months.”

Mitchell – who won 15 caps for Wales – came to prominence at the Ospreys where he played 24 times in the Pro 14 and a further seven games in Europe. He then moved on to Exeter Chiefs, turning out 26 times in the Premiership and eight in Europe.

After switching to Cardiff Blues for two years and Newport Gwent Dragons for one, Mitchell spent the tail end of last season with Championship side Yorkshire Carnegie and is already in training with the Falcons squad.

He had looked set for a spell at Bath at the start of last season, but a long-term shoulder injury ruled him out.