Newcastle Falcons 2015 / 2016

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: Micky Ward
Defence Coach: John Wells
Attack Coach: Dave Walder
Lineout Coach: Scott Macleod
Skills Coach: Mark Laycock

Current Squad (A= Academy):
Forwards
Props:
TH - Taione Vea, Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Paddy Ryan, Andrew Foster
LH - Ben Harris, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry, Alex Rogers, Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank (A)

Hookers: Scott Lawson, Ben Sowrey, Kyle Cooper
David Nelson (A), Santiago Socino (A)

Second Rows: Callum Green, Mauritz Botha, Will Witty, Sean Robinson , Evan Olmstead, Nick Civetta, Glen Youngs, Andrew Davidson
Harry Snowdon (A), Josh Williams (A), Max Davies (A),

Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Dan Temm, Joshua Chisanga, Harrison Orr, Opeti Fonua, Tyrone Holmes
Joe Craggs (A), Calum Chick (A), Sebastian Ferreira (A), Simon Uzokwe (A)

Backs
SH's: Sonatane Tukulua, Micky Young, Sam Egerton
Dan Taylor (A),  Ruaridh Dawson (A)

Fh's: Tom Catterick, Mike Delaney, Joel Hodgson  
Craig Willis (A), Brett Connon (A)

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Adam Powell, Chris Harris,
Adam Redman centre (A), Tom Penny (A)

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Marcus Watson, Zac Kibirige, Veriniki Goneva,
Dan Marshall (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley
Ed Coulson (A)

Signings for Next Season:
Niki Goneva - Wing (Leicester)
Sam Lockwood - LH Prop (Jersey)
Sam Egerton - SH (7's / Quins)
Harrison Orr - Back Row (Ealing)
Joel Hodgson - 9, 10, 15 (Leeds)
Ben Sowrey - Hooker (Worcester)
Evan Olmstead - Lock (London Scottish)
Opeti Fonua - Back Rower
Nick Civetta - Lock forward
Andrew Davidson (Academy) - Lock Forward
Kyle Cooper - Hooker
Tyrone Holmes - 6/7 - Glasgow

Just googled him, he's certainly a unit. Can't say I've seen him play.

I've heard of him, although when googling him - comes up with a bar assault back in March 

Fluxy wrote:I've heard of him, although when googling him - comes up with a bar assault back in March 

He'll fit in well in Newcastle then

Fluxy wrote:I've heard of him, although when googling him - comes up with a bar assault back in March 

Charges were withdrawn after an "amicable agreement" was reached.

So Newcastle continue to sign really physical players. I guess we can see how we're going to play this season.....

1 Lockwood
2 Cooper
3 Welsh

Looks like a very physical front row!

From what I've seen he's a good player. Looks abrasive for the Sharks

So what we looking at so far...appreciate we need to see a few of the new signings play first.

1 Lockwood
2 Cooper
3 Welsh
4 Ormstead / Green
5 Robinson (Very curious to see how Civeta goes)
6 Wilson
7 Latu / Welch
8 Tameilau / Orr / Chisanage

9 Youngs
10 Delayney
11 Watson
12 Socino (Needs a seriously good season !)
13 Goneva
14 Sinoti
15 Hammersley

Lockwood , Cooper , Welsh
Green , Robinson
Wilson , Orr , Latu

Young , Delaney
Socks , Harris
Goneva , Hammersley , Sinoti.

Our best chance of beating teams is having a good counter attacking game at home through Nikki , Simon and Sinoti. Delaney blasting every penalty over too will be a big help.

Be surprised if we score 4 tries in a premiership game next season.

That back three looks terrific. Your problem is going to be getting the ball to them often enough and with enough quality as 9, 10, 12, 13 don't look particularly strong.

How are you guys feeling about the season ahead? After the doom and gloom of being relegated most Irish fans appear to be feeling pretty happy with things now. Loads of dead wood shifted and the potential for a really positive season. if we'd stayed up I suspect it would have papered over the cracks and we'd be in a relegation battle again this year.

Optimistic as always Pete, probably wrongly so.

I always seem to look at other sides before ours. Wuss look to be imploding and Bristol aren't recruiting well.

We look stronger than last season and if some of the gambles pay off in the pack, we should be ok.

I think Irish will have a great season and come back much stronger.

Agree with you about Worcester mate, there is something seriously not right down there.  A mate of mine spoke to Matt Symons earlier in the season and he said that his brother had told him that the atmosphere there is toxic.  I've no idea what that really means, but something certainly isn't right.  Bristol have some decent players, but watching the Championship final their defence was shocking.  Unless that improves they are in for a very tough season.  If you guys can get another top class season out of Latu and a few others stand up in the pack, you should have the edge on them.  I'm really interested to see how it goes with the bottom of the Ap this year from a completely neutral perspective.  Would love to see bath dragged into and relegated, but realistically it looks between yourself, Worcester and Bristol this time around. That said, I remain wholly unconvinced by Gloucester as well.

Agree with that Pete.

Odd about the toxic environment when you have players like Pennell turning down bigger clubs to stay. I personally think Ryan may have had a part, I always think he comes across as a bit of a snake.

Bottom 3 looks about right, I think we may finish at the top of that.....hopefully.

Ozzy3213 wrote:That back three looks terrific.  Your problem is going to be getting the ball to them often enough and with enough quality as 9, 10, 12, 13 don't look particularly strong.  

How are you guys feeling about the season ahead?  After the doom and gloom of being relegated most Irish fans appear to be feeling pretty happy with things now.  Loads of dead wood shifted and the potential for a really positive season.  if we'd stayed up I suspect it would have papered over the cracks and we'd be in a relegation battle again this year.

I'm pretty confident we'll stay afloat but once again not by much, constantly relying on someone too be worse than us too keep our place in the AP.

If i was Semore Kurdi i'd make it adament too Dean Richards that the club can't continue too survive like this, we need too push on and be safe at Xmas. So we're in a position where we can attract players too take us too a better finish, not just players too keep our head above water.

I do think some of our players are undervalued by others. Chris Harris for me would be further in the England reckoning if he played at Tigers , Saints or Bath. Micky Young only really got in the Saxons as EJ didn't want too take from the U20s.

A big marquee signing could help us out the way Carl Hayman did in 07.

Finances and location are always going to hold us back.

Harris struggled last season I thought, 9-13 we're not strong.

I think anyone who played in our backs last season would struggle.

Socks has been terrible last 12 months. I've thought too myself why not play Tom Catterick there. Can't be any worse than what we have.

Our finances arn't that bad. We'd probs get Scottish internationals down here on a decent wedge.

Hammersley and Watson had good seasons.

Watson did in the Euro comp, playing against tosh half the time.

Hammersley did on running the ball back with interest.

I do think our best chance is a aggressive press defence strong counter attacking game.

Pretty sure you will end up about 10th and be fine. I reckon your home form will be considerably better than Worcester's and in particular Bristol's. Bristol are clear favourites for relegation for me. Their squad looks over the hill.

We have taken a few gambles on pack signings....I have everything crossed that they come off...as we'll have a pretty good pack!

Agree the 9-13 area is the problem.

9) Youngs made the Saxons....
I have a suspicion Egerton might surprise a few...looks a livewire SH. Coming from 7's he might have the same impact as Watson has.

10) Ah we do we start.....

12)Socino needs a MASSIVE season. Got a lot to prove. Powell is a solid 12 but not a game changer.

13) Harris has been similar - SOLID. We haven't seen the same explosive running threat we saw when he was on the wing. He was electric, but seems to have lost that as he's moved into the more tighter midfield. He'll keep his spot, but Redman and Penny might give him more of a challenge this season.

Have the Tuilagis left now? Or are they still here?

Just seen that Latu is ruled out for the first three months of the season with injury

Yeah Latu is out till December.

But that's why we signed - Chissanga, Harrison Orr, David Tameilau - to bring some power and carrying in to support Latu

Now we'll see how good they are.

Will be interested to see how some of these guys hold up in the guys of the season, when we are out of the sunnier climes of early September. It would be so nice if we could be looking up the table rather than screaming the chasm that is beneath us this season. My nerves can't take this year after year.

Dom Woldouck joins on a month trial.

He's a step up at 12.

Not a bad signing, if he can stay fit.

Not to be harsh, but I think your current options are already better. He never really impressed me at Irish, although I know he had limited opportunities.

I'm very positive about all our signings.... But dear Lord why bother.

Just another powell if you ask me.

Move on abd find better local talent. Or here's an idea focus on Harris. Penny and Redman.

Very odd signing but only a trial. Always seen him as 13 personally.

Waldouck brings a lot of experience as well. Lots of caps in a very successful Wasps side when he was first coming onto the scene. Prem and Heineken Cup final experience with winners medals from both. Plus as a defensive general he has a huge amount of knowledge having served his rugby apprenticeship under Josh Lewsey and Fraser Waters with Shaun Edwards as his coach.

He's also a thoroughly good man to have around a club by all accounts, he's always been keen to get involved in coaching both in the clubs he plays and around the area he's playing. I might be mistaken but I'm pretty sure he learned sign language as an early 20-something year old 'England next big thing' so that he could work with deaf youngsters as a coach. (I accept it doesn't mean anything much if he doesn't contribute on the pitch but still adds to a club IMO)

Given his injuries there will be questions over his worth on the pitch but as a trial during preseason I say why not. It will cost a respective pittance and could add something.

His defence has always been top doller. It's something we don't have too be honest.

Didn't spend long in Ohio then

He's there for another 3 weeks. He was doing it as a coaching thing too as i'm sure that's where he wants too go with his career.

Fine for a trial. But not for a permanent signing sorry.

Probably not being fair or giving the lad the benefit of the doubt but I just don't want this one.

Work with Harris, and,then focus on Penny and Redman two young lads with loads of potential.

I see Welch and Wilson have re-signed for 4 years. Good news!

Yeah pretty good stuff. They made a crazy number of tackles this season 1st and 3rd in the prem table for tackles I believe....hopefully we can be a bit more offensive this season and not have to make so many tackles.

Squad for the Singha 7's this Saturday. Anyone going.

I cant make it unfortunately...would have liked to have gone.

1 Dan Temm (Capt) (15's Senior Flanker)
2 Santiago Socino (15's Academy Hooker)
3 Glen Young (On loan to Doncaster last season 15's Lock)
4 Max Davies (15's Academy Lock)
5 Harrison Orr (15's Senior Back Rower - New Signing)
6 Adam Radawn (15's Academy Winger)
7 Dan Marshall (15's Academy / Senior Winger)
8 Tom Catterick (15's Senior 10/15)
9 Ruaridh Dawson (15's Academy / Senior 9)
10 Joel Hodgson (15's Senior 10/15)
11 Ben Stevenson (15's Academy Centre)
12 Tom Ffitch - Only player not affiliated with the falcons.

Thought we may have seen Egerton in there, considering his sevens pedigree.

Yeah I thought he might have been in there aswell... But there's not many actual first teamers in the squad so he must be working with the firsts...

Tom penny out with a broken arm. Shame as I was hoping to see if he could get a few run outs. But hopefully not too long an absence.

Kibirige to stand trial for r***. I imagine this could be the last we see of him at Falcons.

Really? Ah your kidding!!! let's see where it goes. I think we're OK for wingers now anyway...just a shame he had such potential

I see two youngsters have been selected for the U18 England tour to South Africa. A hooker and a lock.

Just read the chronicle, silly boy if it's true.

And explains why we probably didn't see any of him last year.

I'd heard the rumours about it but didn't want too post about it.

The club needs too take a stance against him, even if the rumours are false.

What do you mean by that Driver? The club should sack him even if he is innocent?

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/holmes-swaps-glasgow-for-newcastle/

Good squad player for you guys. Got injured last year and may have ended up being the reason Glasgow gave him up. More a 6 than a 7, he plays both effectively enough.

As for Kibirige, silly boy but after seeing the witch hunt that happened against a Durham student who got accused (the girl effectively did not want to tell her bf that she was cheating on him) the club should suspend him and keep him training until he is either cleared or sent to the gallows. Really does need to be a privacy ruling on those accused of major crimes until such time as they are found guilty.

Tyrone Holmes? Interesting.

It offers a similar style to Mark Wilson, Will Welch I guess...and means their work load is reduced a little. Add in Orr who has looked impressive in his brief 7's outings...we should have some good physical options at 6/7 this season.

Whats your thoughts on our Midfield options...well centre to be specific?

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Adam Powell, Chris Harris,
Adam Redman centre (A), Tom Penny (A)

Could any of these be targeted to play in the midfield aswell?
Tom Catterick, Craig Willis, Goneva, Alex Tait even?

Falcons v Nottingham Friendly tomorrow


1 Jon Welsh
2 Ben Sowrey
3 Taione Vea
4 Calum Green
5 Nick Civetta
6 Mark Wilson
7 Tyrone Holmes
8 Callum Chick

9 Sam Egerton
10 Mike Delany (captain)
11 Sinoti Sinoti
12 Juan Pablo Socino
13 Belisario Agulla
14 Chris Harris
15 Simon Hammersley

Replacements:
Scott Lawson, Alex Rogers, Paddy Ryan, Will Witty, Evan Olmstead, Joshua Chisanga, Will Welch, Ruaridh Dawson, Craig Willis, Adam Powell,
Brett Connon

Is John Welsh now a looshead for Newcastle?

Glasgow and Scotland have been trying to make him a tighthead for the last few seasons - he's probably Scotland's 2nd or 3rd choice tighthead!

No he's majoritly been a TH but he is very good on the other side aswell. Vea was excellent last season though when we were crazy short of TH's so I guess he is being rewarded. But in the real games they'll share the TH workload. Welsh is a beast and really impressed all the falcons fans.

Edit also Vickers is carrying an injury and new LH Lockwood doesn't seem available. And Harris is nowhere to be seen.

Welsh played all games at TH last season RDW, impressive too.

Welsh and Vea are our best two props so it'll be interesting to see how the scrum goes.

Good looking pack, still think we need a new centre.