SOUTH African hooker Shaun Malton relishes the opportunity to test himself against RFU Championship leaders Newcastle after penning a deal with Nottingham.

The 22-year-old (pictured) has agreed terms to stay at Meadow Lane for the rest of the season having completed a short-term contract with Premiership side London Irish.

The former Sharks under-21 Currie Cup captain, and young Springbok and South African schoolboys representative made one substitute appearance for Exiles in the Premiership before moving to the East Midlands.

Malton has been brought straight into Nottingham's match day 22 to travel to Kingston Park for the top of the table meeting on Friday (November 4, 8pm kick-off).

It is the sort of clash that the product of the highly-regarded Sharks Academy savours.

"It's always best to play against the best," Malton said.

"Games like this is how you get to see where you stand in the competition and see if your game is up to the standard.

"I've not seen a lot of Championship rugby but know it is forwards orientated which I like, getting in smashing it up and getting aggressive.

"And from what I saw in the way we performed at the weekend against Bristol, we can really play running rugby at the same time."

Malton has got used to life at the Green and Whites Lady Bay training base quickly, having worked with the side in the lead up to last weekend's resounding 63-7 win over Bristol.

"There is a nice vibe in the camp, things are going great for Nottingham right now," Malton said.

"I spent time with the boys over the weekend and they are a great bunch."

Haag is pleased with how Malton has seamlessly gelled with the side.

"Shaun has fitted in great and comes to us in great shape," Haag said.

"It will take a while for him to get used to our systems, but ultimately he is the type of player we are looking for going forward, he is match fit, got great skills and had a good character.

"It makes competition for that hooker's position really intense with Joe Duffey, Scott Wright and Ollie Taylor all there."