Newcastle Falcons Thread - 2016 / 2017

[Geordie]

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 - Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Paddy Ryan, Davy Wilson
LH - Sami Mavinga, Rob Vickers, Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank (A), Joshua Chisanga (A), Trevor Davison (A)

Hookers: Ben Sowrey, Kyle Cooper, Scott Lawson
Santiago Socino (A) Jamie Blamire (A)

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

Back Row: Will Welch, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Harrison Orr, Opeti Fonua, Ally Hogg, Ryan Burrows, Gary Graham
Calum Chick,  Simon Uzokwe (A)

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

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

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Chris Harris, Dom Waldouck, Maxine Mermoz, Josh Matavesi, Joel Matavesi, Tom Penny
Ben Stevenson (A),

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Zac Kibirige, Veriniki Goneva, DTH Van der Merve
Adam Radwan (A), Cameron Cowell (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

[Geordie]

Squad for the Singha 7's this Saturday.

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.

Playing
Leicester
Sales
Worcester

[formerly known as Sam]

You've got a far more experienced side than us. We've got academy lads plus an England sevens development player who didnt make it at Saints or Wasps. Hope your boys can tackle though cause one of the academy lads is Fred Tuilagi Jnr and by all accounts he's a monster.

[Welly]

Hope this season Kibirige gets some more game time (Not huge amount of game time, but enough to see him in the seniors should be starting in the LV cup hopefully).

also make or break for Catterick who i really like and think tigers should look at him potentially.

He could come along with Hammersley next season to Tigers

[Geordie]

Still a lot of academy lads in our squad though Sam. Very few actual 1st teamers.

Catterick is a frustration. Has all the ability, there just seems to be something missing from him being a quality 10. Maybe this season he ill really come good. His passing is top class.

Richards said he wasn't rushing Kibirige back last season after is horrific leg break. He played very well for Blaydon. This season he will see quite a bit of gametime though.

And we gave you McGuigan....just keep your feckin hands off Hammersley!!

[Welly]

And we gave you McGuigan....just keep your feckin hands off Hammersley!!

You know things like this happen in 3's
Leicester signed
Flood, Parling, Woods
Brookes, Balmain, Young
Barrow, McGuigan, Hammersley

Exeter
waldrom, Salvi, Parling

[Geordie]

[formerly known as Sam]

And we gave you McGuigan....just keep your feckin hands off Hammersley!!

You know things like this happen in 3's
Leicester signed
Flood, Parling, Woods
Brookes, Balmain, Young
Barrow, McGuigan, Hammersley

Exeter
waldrom, Salvi, Parling
 

Sounds fair Welly I'll go with that. We could even send Tait back up as part of his retirement. He'll do a job at 15 for the Falcons next season.

[Geordie]

Hammersley for Tait...oh thank you that's a great deal....

We've got a few other young FB's coming through we'll just bring them through instead...

[Welly]

Hammersley for Tait...oh thank you that's a great deal....

We've got a few other young FB's coming through we'll just bring them through instead...

Good news JPP is 30 do he will prob have 3/4 years left in him so by the time he comes to leaving our replacements should be ready Right?

[Geordie]

[TrailApe]

see the new away strip is a bit Gavin Henson - quite different - but will still show beer stains unfortunately...

[Geordie]

Actually I have to admit I love,the new away shirt and will definitely be getting one.

On another note we did well in the 7's and new signing Harrison Orr could be one hell of,a signing. See how,he goes in the XV code

[Geordie]

Any of you lads got season tickets?

[TrailApe]

usually do (north stand - a right cheap skate) but not this year - so far.

Might invest as it gets a bit nearer and I start yearning for sub zero temps and a wind that whips off the foam from yer pint.

[Geordie]

That's where I am this season mate. North Stand.

Ha ha yeah I cant wait for the wind and rain...ill have to invest in some windproof / waterproof gear!

[Geordie]

Also ...is Jamie Booth the Kiwi scrum half still with us?

[Geordie]

Looks like Powell isout on a long term inury.

Our centres are decreasing....are the kids good enough?

[Hazel Sapling]

If Newcastle need an experienced centre, Alex Grove is playing for Mosley and is still only late 20's. I imagine he would be cheap to attain. Ridiculous that he is playing League 1 rugby considering he represented Scotland a few years ago and helped lead Worcester back to the Premiership 2 seasons ago.

[Geordie]

Wel according to some Tigers fans we should be playing Goneva at 13. Seem to think he is quality there.

However im confident Redman and Penny will be good enough. They're young but Redman is around 15st and 6' for a 19/20 yo

[Geordie]

Newcastle Falcons player movements

Players In

Joshua Chisanga from Kenya
Vereniki Goneva from Leicester Tigers
Sam Lockwood from Jersey Reds
Sam Egerton from England Sevens
Dom Waldouck from USA
Harrison Orr from Ealing Trailfinders
Joel Hodgson from Yorkshire Carnegie
Ben Sowrey from Worcester Warriors
Evan Olmstead from London Scottish
David Tameilau from San Francisco Rush - Still saying he's signed
Nick Civetta from RC I Medicei
Andrew Davidson from Glasgow Hawks
Kyle Cooper from Sharks
Tyrone Holmes from Glasgow Warriors
Opeti Fonua from Leicester Tigers

Players Out

George McGuigan to Leicester Tigers
Todd Clever released
Andy Goode retired
Rob Hawkins retired
Richard Mayhew to Yorkshire Carnegie
Joshua Furno to Zebre
Kensuke Hatakeyama to Suntory Sungoliath
Kane Thompson to Manawatu
Giovanbattista Venditti to Zebre
Michael Cusack to Yorkshire Carnegie
Eric Fry to Sacramento Express
Ruki Tipuna to Bay of Plenty
Jamie Booth to Manawatu
Scott MacLeod retired
Gonzalo Tiesi retired
Alesana Tuilagi released
Anitelea Tuilagi released

[Geordie]

Team v Edinburgh tonight...

1 Jon Welsh
2 Scott Lawson
3 Taione Vea
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Evan Olmstead
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Mark Wilson

9 Sonatane Takulua
10 Mike Delany
11 Sinoti Sinoti
12 Juan Pablo Socino
13 Chris Harris
14 Vereniki Goneva
15 Simon Hammersley

REPLACEMENTS:
16 Ben Sowrey
17 Alex Rogers
18 Paddy Ryan
19 Nick Civetta
20 Tyrone Holmes
21 Joel Hodgson
22 Sam Egerton
23 Zach Kibirige
(Blank shirt) Alex Tait
(Blank shirt) Belisario Agulla
(Blank shirt) Opeti Fonua
(Blank shirt) Callum Chick

[formerly known as Sam]

That looking to be pretty much the first fifteen going in to the start of the season?

[LondonTiger]

Mickey Michael Young injured?

[Geordie]

To a degree yes however at the same time no.

Ill explain:
1)Both our LH's have minor injures and haven't played this preseason, but Welsh is a beast of a prop who can cover so we're ok there.

2)Sean Robinson Is a quality lock and our lineout leader, but I think he's injured. But our lock stable is really VERY strong so whoever is picked is quality and Olmstead looks a top class signing. He is on at 6 tonight though....

3)Nili Latu is missing and is a first choice starter in the back row.  Chisanga could very well take over that mantle.

4) Marcus Watson was one our best players last season....and has only just returned from the Olympics.

5) SH is wide open. I like our new signing Egerton from the England 7's set up. He brings real energy and pace to the side.

6) New SA Hooker Kyle Cooper only touched down yesterday so we haven't seen him yet.

So yes it a strong side....but im not sure if its first choice yet....

[Geordie]

VERY physical game....and in all honesty Edinburgh were in the ascendancy!!

Harris with the first try and a lovely try by big Olmstead.

[Geordie]

We win 26-21 but it was a topsy turvy game. Edinburgh are a good side and I think they will be very strong in the Pro league this season. So I'm happy to come away with a win.

It was a brilliant game to watch all in all. but there was rolling subs which maybe unsettled the teams structures a little.

Our scrum struggled at times especially with Nel on for them at TH. Hes an animal.
It was a long day at the office for Welsh when he was opposite Nel.

Our backs looks more exciting than ive seen in a while...and second half Joel Hodgson really impressed me.

Socino looks better than he has for a long time...he put some thumping hits in and made some sharp breaks.

Kibirige looked exceptionally sharp and we have a dilemma now on the wing! 4 classy options.

Will Welch was everywhere...tackling everything that moved and causing problems.

But like dejavu....Evan Olmstead (playing at 6) was outstanding!  The guy is everywhere, physical athletic and scored in every game this one was out on the wing flying to the try line.

What a signing.

Witty also looked very good.

[Geordie]

Well we're nearly up and running... first one of the season

Newcastle Falcons team to face Sale Sharks (Friday, 8pm, Kingston Park Stadium)

1 Jon Welsh
2 Scott Lawson
3 Taione Vea
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Evan Olmstead
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Mark Wilson

9 Sonatane Takulua
10 Mike Delany
11 Sinoti Sinoti
12 Juan Pablo Socino
13 Chris Harris
14 Vereniki Goneva
15 Simon Hammersley

Replacements

16 Ben Sowrey
17 Alex Rogers
18 Sam Lockwood
19 Opeti Fonua
20 Callum Chick
21 Sam Egerton
22 Joel Hodgson
23 Dominic Waldouck

Waldouck??? Over Tait who can cover 15, Wing and centre??

[Heaf]

Will be interesting to see how Waldouck goes if he plays - never really got going for Irish

[Geordie]

He's one of the very few summer signings that im not overly excited about.

But the rest are excellent so I wont complain too much.

Sale fans seem to think this is a win for them at a canter so I hope we send them home with their tails between their legs!

[Heaf]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see a Falcons win ... odd that the Sale fans would be so confident when their away form hasn't been that clever previously.

[LondonTiger]

odd that the Sale fans would be so confident when their away form hasn't been that clever previously.

I guess they:

1) Know that Falcons have been around the bottom of the table for a decade, and despite showing signs of promise occasionally towards the end of a season, then start each season really badly
2) Have seen a departure list that contains a lot of names they recognise
3) And see a recruitment list full of unfamiliar names recruited from second and third tier clubs and countries.
4) Look at the flakiness of the 9/10/12
5) forget their own departures and injuries
6) do not rate the home bred players as much as Falcon's fans.
7) Are aware that Falcons are coached by John Wells


Of course there are counter arguments, but until matches start we can all only go on past evidence.

[Geordie]

Well that hurt the feelings LT...but ill offer a few counter arguments.

1) Know that Falcons have been around the bottom of the table for a decade, and despite showing signs of promise occasionally towards the end of a season, then start each season really badly

Cant really argue with that one...been promise and utterly failed numerous times.

2) Have seen a departure list that contains a lot of names they recognise

A list of players that kept us hovering above the relegation spot for the last number of years

3) And see a recruitment list full of unfamiliar names recruited from second and third tier clubs and countries.

Identifying our own young rough diamonds from the likes of Kenya etc, as the top 4 sides do, rather than the failed strategy of signing journeymen and has beens when the top 4 have finished with them. Something we've been screaming to happen for years.

4) Look at the flakiness of the 9/10/12

Egerton, Takulua at SH will make a significant difference. Socino looks back to his best after long term injuries and loss of form.  

5) forget their own departures and injuries

And forget that last season we were utterly crippled by them...2/3rds of the squad missed pre season last year. Significant difference this season.

6) do not rate the home bred players as much as Falcon's fans.

And ignore the stream of players moving to Tigers / Saints / Bath etc etc . Difference is we are keeping hold of the majority of them now.

7) Are aware that Falcons are coached by John Wells

Agree...hard pill to swallow.

[formerly known as Sam]

From a neutral point of view that could be one of the best packs I've seen Falcons put out in a while. If Latu was involved it would be better still but there you go.

Back line looks alright, Socino blows hot and cold as does Harris so they don't inspire fear and in the half backs the scrum half's are an improvement on Young but Delaney really is rank average and is more Championship than Premiership in terms of quality, Joel as the back up is skillful but easy to target physically and has been mainly limited to Championship rugby for a while. Where's Willis? Back three is very handy if you can get them into the game.

[Geordie]

Yeah it is a strong pack Sam.

Keep an eye on Olmstead...hes been genuine class all preseason. Latu is injured for a while unfortunately..

But with Opeti and Chick (whos been playing very well preseason) to come on...its good.

Not sure where Willis is?? Hes played all preseason. Unless hes opicked up a knock. I too don't rate Delayney remotely...and he wouldn't be near my team. But he kicks goals and that may be the difference in games like these. Hodgson will open it up when he comes on.

Socino has been very good preseason , better than any game last season . Harris's defence is a problem for me...

But we'll see how tomorrow goes.

[LondonTiger]

Bad news for Falcons, Stuart Barnes has predicted you will finish 10th - kiss of death?


Apologies for the bruised feelings GF - just trying to offer up what outsiders may be thinking. The biggest issue for Falcons is that while they may be improved this season (and the likes of Furno and Thompson will not be missed) all the other teams are too. The more I look at Bristol the worse they look, but it will be a while before my ego recovers from predicting a rapid fall for Exeter after they had looked rather poor in their play off win to gain promotion.

[Geordie]

Ah don't apologise....its very fair criticism...I dish most of the flack out to the falcons myself...I know how bad we have been.

[LondonTiger]

I hope you guys have a decent season and can start to build. One of my earlier rugby memories is watching Steve Gustard haring up the wing

[Geordie]

Well, great to get our first opening day win since 2007 (also against Sale). Gritty, strong performance...very much the good, the bad and the ugly.

Lots to work on...but the base of a good side is very much there and in sight.

Delayney made me eat my words with a very impressive performance.

My biggest gripe is the reviews. They all mention Sales last minute kick....yet NOT ONE mention our perfectly good try that was disallowed not five minutes earlier!!!!

[Heaf]

What was it disallowed for GF?  who was the ref?

[Geordie]

It looked like our player had knocked it on with his hand...yet it blatantly showed on the big screen that it actually came off his knee... the whole crowd was saying KKNNEEEEEE , yet he dissalowed it.

Not sure what the refs name was...but in my honest opinion the whole lot of them are poor.

Anyway its our own fault....we should have been out of sight in that game.....that was te same story in many games last season!

[Heaf]

Well on the plus side I had you down to win by 1 on Superbru so I still got the half point for margin 

PS agree re refs in general - boss-eyed Barnes couldn't spot a forward pass to save his life last night either ...

[Geordie]

Yeah, I really don't like blaming the refs...a good team should just adapt on the field...however the current crop of top flight refs make it difficult at times.

They need an overhaul...are they fully professional these days? I'm sure they are but something needs done.

[Geordie]

I was wanting to hear peoples opinion of our kicking tactics / abilities these days.

Last year one of my biggest gripes was the consistent, aimless kicking, that just gave away possession and more than not landed us in more trouble than we were in initially!

In last nights game yet again we still saw numerous long aimless kicks just giving away possession and most of the time going straight to the opposition back three who just run it straight back.

Now, I understand the AB's utilise an "offensive kicking" game / tactics but they are....the AB's!

We aren't the AB's....

Surely kicking to space or to touch would be far more productive. Simon Hammersley in particular is a big culprit of this...

IS this a tactic Dean gives us...or just something the players need to fix?

[Welly]

Good game for you guys hope you prove my prediction of a 10th place finish as a correct one.

If you can keep your youngsters like Witty, Hammersley, Willis, Kilridge and can build on top of it for the next season i can see you creating a very good foundation.

But a long season and anything can happen.

[Geordie]

Very long season Welly.

One game at a time....down at Bath next. Very tough game despite their struggles last season.

[Welly]

I suspect Deano will be targeting Tigers @ Kingston, instead.

Glous, Bristol and Worcester will be a key runof games as well

[Geordie]

Yeah but if Tigers second half game is anything to go by...maybe Bath is better to target.

Our breakdown work was very good last night. I'm wondering if Dean might think we can get at Bath better than Tigers.

[Welly]

Bath away is still tough, Tigers haven't really clicked on a 4g pitch ATM, he targeted us last season @ Kingston and it worked.

Goneva and Sinoti could find alot of space in the backs and your forwards are alot bigger than Glous.

Although your front row depth might struggle.

[Heaf]

Yeah, I really don't like blaming the refs...a good team should just adapt on the field...however the current crop of top flight refs make it difficult at times.

They need an overhaul...are they fully professional these days? I'm sure they are but something needs done.

Had my first experience of Championship reffing today - all I can say is my word.  At one point I thought we must be playing American football as blocking kick chasers, dummy runners grabbing defenders and forwards standing off-side backing into defenders all seemed perfectly acceptable to the ref.  As it turned out it he had prem experience but was woeful anyway.  No idea at scrum time either and only called one forward pass all day just to deny us a try.

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