IT seems size matters for York City Knights, after they bulked up their pack and outside backs with two strapping six-footers from Championship clubs.

Prop Jon Fallon, who stands 6ft 3in tall and weighs a hefty 17st, has signed from Featherstone, and lofty winger Danny Wilson is set to follow from Gateshead Thunder.

Fallon, 22, played 17 times for Rovers last season, scoring one try and helping Daryl Powell’s men reach the play-offs, where they were knocked out only one game away from the grand final.

However, he was released at the end of term, with the club recruiting big guns Iain Morrison from Widnes and Jon Grayshon from Halifax in his stead. Fallon had previously been a member of the Hull KR squad that won the 2006 National League One (Championship) title and got promoted to Super League, having come through their junior system.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson, said: “He might not have got too many first-team opportunities next year with the players Fev have signed, but we’re obviously pleased to offer him a chance.

“He predominantly came off the bench last season, but most teams run with four props who tend to get roughly the same game-time, and Daryl Powell doesn’t tend to play people unless he rates them. That side got to within one game of getting to the Grand Final, which is a decent achievement.”

Fallon, who is from Hull and played in the same junior team as current Knights packman Kris Peacock, follows hooker Joe McLocklan and Mark Falkingham in switching from Rovers to York, and is the 27th new player to arrive for 2010.

Wilson, hoping to build a squad capable of challenging for honours in Championship One, added: “He’s another one who has played at a higher level and hopefully he will add something.

“He’s a big front-rower, which is maybe something we previously lacked.”

Danny Wilson, 27, is to become the 28th new recruit having also agreed terms at Huntington Stadium, though he already has some knowledge of the Knights, having turned out a few times for the under-21s in 2006 while studying at York St John.

Another Hull-based player, the winger – a student international with both England and Great Britain – signed for Thunder after going to Northumbria University.

He scored nine tries in 28 appearances in 2007 and ’08 but played only one game – a friendly – this year, after a spate of injuries. He previously had a spell in Australia with Wollongong Bulls.

Ian Wilson said: “He’s another player who has come from a club in a higher division. He didn’t get many first-team opportunities this year due to injuries and the players Gateshead brought in, but when they won Championship One in 2008 he played regularly.

“He’s a big winger and it’s always good to have size in your team. He’s also pretty quick. He can play across the back line – he can fill in at centre and at full-back – so brings good competition for places.”

Winger Wilson’s arrival lessens the chances of former Super League flier Waine Pryce coming to York. As reported by The Press, Pryce turned down his initial offer although the deal was not thought to be dead in the water.

The Knights are also awaiting a response from centre Chris Langley about his potential return to Huntington Stadium.

Knights squad for 2010 as it stands (* denotes new player): Danny Ratcliffe (full-back); Wayne Reittie*, Tom Lineham, Tom Stancliffe, Danny Wilson* (wingers), Mike Mitchell, Ian Bell (centres), Chris Thorman*, Luke Helliwell*, Jonathan Schofield (half-backs), Joe McLocklan*, Paul Stamp*, Chris Williams (hookers), Mark Applegarth, Jon Fallon*, Danny Bell*, Alex Benson*, Nathan Freer*, Brett Waller, Mark Falkingham* (props), Chris Clough, Jordan Ross, Kris Peacock, Matthew Duckworth* (second-rows), Richard Blakeway, Adie Hampshire*, Dan Walton (loose-forwards), Lee Waterman (utility).

• The replica shirts for 2010 have arrived at the club and will go on sale at the launch night for next season, which is on Thursday, November 19, from 2pm onwards, at Huntington Stadium. Fans are advised to pre-order shirts to avoid disappointment – call into the office at the stadium or phone them on 01904 641724.