Newcastle Falcons - 2019 to 2020 Championship - Closed

First topic message reminder :

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

Current Squad:
Forwards
Props:
LH - Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank, Trevor Davison,
Conrad Cade (Senior Academy), Phil Brantingham (Senior Academy)
TH - Rodney Ah You, Logo Mulipola, Mark Tampin, Mike Daniels,
Oscar Caudle  TH(Senior Academy & Tynedale)

Hookers: Kyle Cooper, George McGuigan, Jamie Blamire, Charlie Maddison

Second Rows: Sean Robinson, Darren Barry, Toby Salmon, Greg Peterson,
Will Montgomery (Senior Academy), Freddie Lockwood (Senior Academy), Bailey Ransom (Senior Academy)

Back Row:
6&7's: Mark Wilson, Will Welch, Gary Graham, Jon Hardie,
Guy Graham (Senior Academy), Rob Farrar (Senior Academy), Josh Basham (Senior Academy), Harry Hill (Senior Academy),
8: Philip van der Walt, Nemani Negusa, Calum Chick,
Tom Marshall (Senior Academy), Charlie Richards (Senior Academy & Tynedale)

Backs
SH's: Micky Young, Sam Stuart
Callum Pascoe (Senior Academy & Tynedale), Cameron Nordi Kelemeti (Senior Academy), James Elliott (Senior Academy)

Fh's: Joel Hodgson, Toby Flood, Brett Connon, Tim Swiel, Joel Matavesi
Will Haydon Wood (Senior Academy & Tynedale)

Centres: Matias Orlandi, Gareth Owen, Ben Stevenson, George Wacokecoke,
Charlie Wilson (Senior Academy - At Durham UNi)), Chidera Obonna (Senior Academy)

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti , Adam Radwan, Cooper Vuna
Morgan Passman (Senior Academy),

FB's: Alex Tait, Tom Arscott,

Players unconfirmed:
Seb De Chaves - Only has a one year deal
Jon Welsh - Injuries mean he hasnt played for nearly 2 years.
Connor Collett - has he signed permanently for Doncaster

Yeah it is LT

Call it arrogance but i expect to win it comfortably. Even despite us playing rubbish rugby.

Well we won.

Positives:
Defence was immense
Gary Graham is a fearsome back rower, we'll miss him next season

Negatives:
All the rest.
Attack - Blunt, predictable, slow, reliant on moments of indivudal brilliance.
Lineout - Appalling
Scrum - Appalling

If Dean thinks these tactics and performances will do well next season in the prem...he's deluded.
We have a big buffer now in the league....we need to see a big sway in tactics and style of rugby.

People are genuinely questoing Dean and his coaching team now.

So they should GF.....he's completely lost the plot. It's time we cut our losses imo, let Tigers have him back

Yeah i agree SGt....i think its time we got some fresh coaching in there. I think his ideas for rugby are dated.

Cracking try from Radwan.

Hes class LT.
Unless we improve dramatically, which sadly i dont think will happen under Dean anymore, then i think Radwan is going to attract a lot of attention from the big clubs.

Hes a match winner.

Team for tomorrows game v Melrose XV...the Doddie Weir charity game.

Very young home grown edge to it. Lots of falcons of the future on show.

15 Alex Tait
14 Josh Hodge (Senior Academy)
13 Dominic Waldouck (captain)
12 Gareth Owen
11 Chidera Obonna (Senior Academy)
10 Brett Connon
9 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti (Senior Academy)

1 Trevor Davison
2 Charlie Maddison
3 Mike Daniels
4 Bailey Ransom (Senior Academy)
5 Rob Farrar (Senior Academy)
6 Simon Uzokwe
7 Guy Graham
8 Nemani Nagusa

Replacements
16 Conrad Cade (Senior Academy)
17 Adam Brocklebank
18 Oscar Caudle (Senior Academy)
19 Freddie Lockwood (Senior Academy)
20 Josh Basham (Senior Academy)
21 Callum Pascoe (Senior Academy)
22 Joel Matavesi (Senior Academy)
23 Charlie Wilson (Senior Academy)
[BLANK] Harry Hill (Senior Academy)
[BLANK] Will Haydon-Wood (Senior Academy)
[BLANK] Callum Young (Senior Academy)

I think some of these lads should be seeing more first team action tbh (Hodge, CNK, Basham etc)

GeordieFalcon wrote:Hes class LT.
Unless we improve dramatically, which sadly i dont think will happen under Dean anymore, then i think Radwan is going to attract a lot of attention from the big clubs.

Hes a match winner.

Is he out of contract in the summer? Would be a handy addition for Tigers if we can't keep hold of May.

Tom Penny has joined Quins...by Deans words it loooks a permanent move.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I think some of these lads should be seeing more first team action tbh (Hodge, CNK, Basham etc)

Totally agree Sgt...Hodge etc should have been getting blooded in this season. Ludicrous that they arent.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Hes class LT.
Unless we improve dramatically, which sadly i dont think will happen under Dean anymore, then i think Radwan is going to attract a lot of attention from the big clubs.

Hes a match winner.

Is he out of contract in the summer? Would be a handy addition for Tigers if we can't keep hold of May.

No He just signed a new longer term one.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Hes class LT.
Unless we improve dramatically, which sadly i dont think will happen under Dean anymore, then i think Radwan is going to attract a lot of attention from the big clubs.

Hes a match winner.

Is he out of contract in the summer? Would be a handy addition for Tigers if we can't keep hold of May.

No He just signed a new longer term one.

You're unlikely to have a problem then. Falcons are unlikely to release him on a free and it's unlikely a club are going to offer to buy out his contract.

Its the Falcons...we never know whats going on and they have the ability to provide dumbfounding decisions .
They'd be just as likely to release him.

Im genuinely baffled by Dean Richards and his coaches theae days.

Johnny Williams is just about ready to return to play after his recent well documented health issues. Really please to hear he is over that particular episode.

That is good news. Hope his career goes the way it should go from here onwards, he has had a wretched time.

Totally agree BigGee.

He might even get a run out on Friday against Doncaster apparently.

Well we're winning but theres huge reservations about this team now and the coaches, direction etc.

If we play this style next season we're going to drop straight back down. The worrying thing is that Dean seems happpy with it all.

I just dont get it.

Josh Matavesi off to Bath with immediate effect. Permanent move.

Big loss GF?

I dont think so Eddie.

He reminds me of twelvetrees...he has the full skill set..AND size yet rarely puts in the complete performance that you expect. He should be running games but ive not really seen that happen so often.

Maybe thats why hes been around a few clubs and was at us rather than the bigger boys.

We have a bunch of young guys who are getting plenty of gametime inthe centres...Wakecoke is a young Fijian who has been playing very well indeed and Ben Stevenson, a young lad from Boro has been playing great aswell scoring tries.

And of course Johnny Williams is finally back.

Falcons v Leeds

Josh Hodge finally starts a competitive game for us!!! Johnny Williams back from his health problems, and Calum Chick back at 6. Blamire looks a hooker of serious potential everytime he plays....

But then we see Tim Swiel on the wing???? Typical Dean Richards....

15 Tom Arscott
14 Josh Hodge
13 Dominic Waldouck (captain)
12 Johnny Williams
11 Tim Swiel
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Sam Lockwood
2 Jamie Blamire
3 Mark Tampin
4 Greg Peterson
5 Sebastian de Chaves
6 Callum Chick
7 Gary Graham
8 Nemani Nagusa

Replacements
16 Charlie Maddison
17 Trevor Davison
18 Logovi'i Mulipola
19 Toby Salmon
20 Simon Uzokwe
21 Michael Young
22 Brett Connon
23 George Wacokecoke

I didn't realise that Dom Waldouck was still playing, thought he'd retired. Have you got injuries for Swiel to be on the wing?

I hope you guys are quietly sourcing the best tight five talent from the Championship because outside of de Chaves yours doesn't look great though Balmire might turn out it be handy as you say.

Blamire is a real classy one coming through Sam. He's almost like a fly half at times. He's impressed me all the time. Just needs to get a bit of a physical streak and he'll be a genuine impressive hooker.

Dom is actually on our coaching team...but still gets the run outs the odd time. Don't ask me why though. I don't see the point in taking up game time that others could be using.

Ive said that so many times on the Unoffy...our front five is poor as a unit but I get slated. You are not allowed to be negative on there....

A strong tight five is the basis for a team coming up and staying up in my view. Bristol got away with it a bit but have since spent big in Attwood and Afoa. Thacker was also a sensible and not cheap addition same with Vui. Chiefs were all about their pack when they came up.

There's some good props in the Championship, Falcons should be rounding up the good ones and then throwing some cash to some South African monsters for the second row. Once you've got the platform the rest is easier.

We'll be shopping at the bargain bin as normal and buying some more ageing backrowers no doubt.

Front row has been a mess for years....locks are ok, backrow pretty good. Backs not great apart from the odd youngster coming through....10 a problem.

Might be a few Sarries players available!

Not in our budget Gee!

I think our tactics are the problem.

We need to he spending big on destructive props, a physical monster at lock and a real deal 10.

The rest we have good players or very good academy players who i would throw in.

Team for Nottingham...pretty much 1st team so Dean must view this as a tough game.

15 Tom Arscott
14 Adam Radwan
13 George Wacokecoke
12 Johnny Williams
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Toby Flood
9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Trevor Davison
2 George McGuigan (captain)
3 Logovi'i Mulipola
4 Greg Peterson
5 Sean Robinson
6 Will Welch
7 John Hardie
8 Gary Graham

16 Jamie Blamire
17 Sam Lockwood
18 Mike Daniels
19 Sebastian de Chaves
20 Nemani Nagusa
21 Michael Young
22 Joel Hodgson
23 Dominic Waldouck

Is McGuigan a regular skipper now?

Joint skipper with Michael Young LT.

Radwan signs on for 2 more years! Great news!

Backline starting to take shape with young, English talent:

15. Hodge
14. Radwan
13. Wacokecoke
12. Williams
11. ?
10. ?
9. ?

Yeah great...so he can stand out on the wing next season as we telegraphically pass the ball ponderously through the hands and he gets the ball passed to him with 5 blokes on top of him!

He's going to love that!

But just to continue your optimisim...


15. Hodge
14. Radwan
13. Wacokecoke
12. Williams
11. Passman
10. Haydon Wood
9. Kelemeti

Gary Graham signs a new 2 year deal. Great news.

Newcastle Falcons v Amphill:
15 Tom Arscott
14 Tim Swiel
13 George Wacokecoke
12 Johnny Williams
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Brett Connon
9 Michael Young (co-captain)

1 Trevor Davison
2 George McGuigan (co-captain)
3 Mike Daniels
4 Greg Peterson
5 Sean Robinson
6 Callum Chick
7 Will Welch
8 Nemani Nagusa,



Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Sam Lockwood, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Simon Uzokwe, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Gareth Owen

Its a side to get the win but why have someone like Gareth Owen on the bench instead of young academy centre Chidera Obonna or Ben Stevenson.

Dont get Dean at all....

Newcastle Falcons 2nd XV v Ayrshire Bulls (Saturday, 7.30pm, Kingston Park Stadium)

All the academy lads out in the 2nd team. Young Captain...

15 Alex Tait
14 Matthew Ward (Under-18s)
13 Chidera Obonna
12 Joel Matavesi (captain)
11 Danny Kassapian (Newcastle University)
10 Will Haydon-Wood
9 Callum Pascoe

1 Conrad Cade
2 Jamie Blamire
18 Rodney Ah You
4 Bailey Ransom
Toby Salmon
6 Rob Farrar
7 Connor Collett
8 Tom Marshall

Replacements

Phil Brantingham
17 Oscar Caudle
3 Mark Tampin
19 Will Montgomery
16 Owen Chaplin (Under-18s)
21 James Blackett (Under-18s)
22 Charlie Wilson
23 Will Roberts (Newcastle University)

GeordieFalcon wrote:Newcastle Falcons v Amphill:
15 Tom Arscott
14 Tim Swiel
13 George Wacokecoke
12 Johnny Williams
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Brett Connon
9 Michael Young (co-captain)

1 Trevor Davison
2 George McGuigan (co-captain)
3 Mike Daniels
4 Greg Peterson
5 Sean Robinson
6 Callum  Chick
7 Will Welch
8 Nemani Nagusa,



Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Sam Lockwood, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Simon Uzokwe, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Gareth Owen

Its a side to get the win but why have someone like Gareth Owen on the bench instead of young academy centre Chidera Obonna or Ben Stevenson.

Dont get Dean at all....

It's a pretty young midfield so having Owen available to add some leadership off the bench isn't a bad idea.

Have we had close to the same side twice this season?

Sam if we were playing a decent side id agree...but its Amphill.

Whats to be achieved playing a 32 year old who can't get in a poor tigers side coming off the bench over an exciting young 19 year old who is the future of the club.

Its the championship.

Sgt...nope im struggling to work out Deans plans to be honest.

Jamie Blamire re-signs for 2 years.

Now that is a great one. Bes tof the lot if you ask me. This kid could be the complete hooker. A few pounds on him and wow...he'll be pushing England reckoning in a few years.

Falcons v Hartpury - Saturday - Away

Newcastle Falcons:
15 Tom Arscott
14 Alex Tait
13 George Wacokecoke
12 Johnny Williams
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Brett Connon
9 Michael Young (co-captain),

1 Logovi'i Mulipola
2 George McGuigan (co-captain)
3 Mike Daniels
4 Greg Peterson
5 Sean Robinson
6 Callum Chick
7 Will Welch
8 Nemani Nagusa

Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, ,17 Rodney Ah You ,18 Mark Tampin 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Simon Uzokwe, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Toby Flood, 23 Gareth Owen

Arscott signs a new 2 year deal.

Useful squad member for next year...played well this season and can cover multple positons.

Still pretty average though.

He is...but he'll do as a squad member back up.

Dont forget LT our budget is very low...so we have be careful who we have on the books.

Typical one of the few games ive missed this season and they play genuine fast, urgent attacking rugby.

All is now clear. It is your fault.

It is!! I must be bad luck!