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According to Diamond, Pepper was offered a greatly improved deal at Newcastle, but the player, who can operate as a winger or scrum-half, has opted to ‘jump ship’.
“I’ve not had too much dialogue about it,” said Diamond.
“I got a phone to say he was not taking up the offer and that he was leaving, so I’m pretty disappointed about it.
“The problem Newcastle have is you give these lads opportunities and they jump ship.
“These young lads are influenced by their agents, promises of what they can get elsewhere. But what they can’t promise them is will they get the game time at these clubs that have squads of 60, 70 players.”
