Newcastle Falcons 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: Peter Russell (Leaving at the end of the season)
Forwards Coach: John Wells
Defence Coach: Graham Steadman
 
Current Squad: Underlined are new signings coming in the summer 2014
 
Forwards
Props: Grant Shiels, Oliver Tomasczyk, Keiron Brookes, Scott Wilson, Jeff Hallam, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry
Hookers: Matt Thompson, Scott Lawson, George McGuigan, David Nelson, Rob Hawkins
Second Rows:Scott MacLeod, Sean Tomes, Frasier McKensie, Dom Barrow, Callum Green  
Back Row:Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Mark Wilson, Chris York, Ben Morris, Semisi Taulava

Backs
SH's: Chris Pilrgrim (Signed for Leeds), Warren Fury, Mike Blair, Andy Davies, Ruki Tipuna
Fh's: Joel Hodgson, Rory Clegg, Phil Godman, Craig Willis 
Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Jamie Helleur, James Fitzpatrick (Signed for Leeds), Alex Crocket, Adam Powell, Danny Barnes, Gonzalo Tiesi, Chris Harris  
Wing: Ryan Shortland, Noah Cato, Zac Kibirige, Sinoti Sinoti, Sean Brown, Tom Penny, Lee Smith
FB's: Tom Catterick, Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

Out of contract Summer 2014:
Grant Shiells  
Oliver Tomaszczyk  
Gary Strain
Sean Tomes  
Ian Nagle (Trial till end of season)
Harry Spencer (Trial till end of season)
Chris York
Warren Fury  
Joel Hodgson  
Alex Crockett  
Ryan Shortland

Well I'm bloody happy with that!

Lets hope Deano tweaks the squad a bit and we look to kick on now that we've got a bit of a cushion.

11pts clear of Wuss is a fair gap.

It sounds like we got quite lucky, the Irish kickers seemed to have difficulty adapting to the conditions. Either way, I'll take it. I think we're up to ninth too... I'm getting a nose bleed, not used to being this high up the table!

Only 10pts behind Sarries now

That'll do nicely...keep picking up these wins...fffaaaaaaaalllcons...

Up to 8th I think

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Up to 8th I think

I'd better sit down, I think I might pass out!

Only two points from the European places too...

Well played Falcons. I missed the second half on the radio, so don't have much to comment on the game. Gutted to miss the last minute pen for the win though. Good luck for the rest of the season and see you at our place for the return.

 

It sounds like we got quite lucky, the Irish kickers seemed to have difficulty adapting to the conditions

Both sets of kickers had an off day, although that's understandable given the conditions.

It might not have looked much when viewed on the TV, but there was a hell of a gale blowing in from the west.

I see we put out a strong A team v Worcester and we got beat.

Unoffy report says we missed a few chances, got held on the line a few times etc.

Mayhew, Hodgson and Penny aparently stood out.

Interesting debate going on the unoffy...

Do we need to sign anyone (looks like that Argentinian LH Lobo aint coming) or do we trust in our academy lads?

FH is a huge problem...and i find it strange for me to say this but oh for Gopperth to have stayed another season. Clegg and Godman are simply poor and Hodgson is just being brought though steadily.

Do you think there are any other positions we are lacking where the new youngsters - Penny, Brown, Collins, Harris, etc cant cover and do a good job...or are they too young.

Centre needs a bit more depth I think GF.

I'd love a big ball carrying backrower. I hear Denton is out of contract this season, he's be fantasic for us.

I've heard Leicester are after Denton to replace Waldrom for next season.

Unoffy is saying that we may or may not have sign Gonzalo Tiesi... 

If the youngsters are ever to come through and make an impact on the team Richards is going to have to give them game time. What's happening with Zach Kibirige? He is supposed to be a very promising player, but I've heard nowt about him so far this season.

Yeah ive wondered about Kibirige mate...nothing been heard of him. Between him, Penny and Brown we seem to have a trio of serious quality youngsters...do we need to sign a winger?

Id rather play young Harris or such at centre over someone like Tiesi. Give them gametime.

Srge, i agree its a shame Tuifua never consistantly produced his Samoa form for us. He seems to be monstrous for them yet flattered to decieve for us...

Team for trip to Sarries

1 Rob Vickers
2 Scott Lawson
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Carlo del Fava
5 Dom Barrow
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch (c)
8 Ally Hogg

9 Mike Blair
10 Phil Godman
11 Ryan Shortland
12 Adam Powell
13 Danny Barnes
14 Noah Cato
15 Alex Tait

Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 James Fitzpatrick

At least it looks like we're going for it.

Vickers at LH again

Oddschecker:
Saracens 1/20 1/33 1/16 1/16 1/16 1/41
Newcastle 8 10 7 7 7 37/13
Draw 40 20 33 33 40 31
http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/aviva-premiership/saracens-v-newcastle/winner
 

Interesting result

Yup that's a right royal humping

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Centre needs a bit more depth I think GF.

I'd love a big ball carrying backrower. I hear Denton is out of contract this season, he'd be fantasic for us.

Tigers are apparently already expressing a keen interest, Pooly.

Yeah so it would appear George.

In all honesty i dont think we'll see any new players coming in anyway. We signed about 10 academy players up to pro level at the start of the season...and despite being young some of them are very talented.

Deano is known to bring the kids through so i think he'll be using them...as he has already with the likes of back rower Harrison Collins who looks big mobile lad but who also shows intelligence and reads the game well at 6/8.

Armed Forces Go Free for Falcons vs London Irish

On Sunday 10th November at 3:00pm Falcons take on London Irish in The LV= Cup at Kingston Park.

In honour of Remembrance Sunday the Falcons are inviting past and present members of the armed forces including reservists to attend the game free of charge and to bring a guest at a reduced price of £10.

Trust me to be away! Love a free day at Kingston

Im not i the forces...but im tempted to go this anyway. Im imagining it'll be quite a young / academy based side he puts out.

Yeah , James O'Connor alone is worth the price.

Do you think he'll play?

Will they risk him in this meaningless cup...or will they use it to get him match fit?

I think they'll play for 60 mins at most. He'll be match fit , he's just played the 4Ns.

Irish need a boost and a good run in this could be it. Gave our squad a lot of energy when we got to the final 3 years back.

Aye you could be right.

Id love to see young Zac or Brown or Joel or someone eclipse him with a sensational performance  

If i was Deano i'd mix the side up a bit as he'll want to bounce back from the Sarries game.

I'd go for

15.Tom Catterick
14.Sean Brown
13.Adam Powell
12.James Fitzpatrick
11.Ryan Shortland
10.Joel Hodgson
09.Chris Pilgrim

1.Grant Shiells
2.George McGuigan
3.Scott Wilson
4.Carlo Del Fava
5.Dom Barrow
6.Chris York
7.Andy Saull
8.Mark Wilson (c)

I'd go along with that mate...only change id try to bring Harrison Collins in at 6, move York to 8 and give Mark Wilson a well deserved night off.

Might also see Penny on the wing rather than Brown. Going on the stats, it would seem brown does the magic, but Penny has been getting higher stats and reviews due to a better all round game. Need to monitor that little battle...

What has happened to Zac Kibirige...no mention of him.

We certainly look like we have some talent coming through...

Don't think Kirbridge is ready for LV yet gotta remember he's still only 17/18

He's more than ready, it's only the LV. I think he bagged 6 tries or something last season, lad needs game time.

Yeah against lets be honest Sh t teams.

I wouldn't peg him up against Ojo yet. Sean Brown has a lot more about him than Kibirgie.

Luke Wilson is one to watch out for.

Kibridge looks by far the brighter prospect imo, is put in there to see how he goes. There's nothing to lose, he's England U20 now!

Kibirige is 19 now. He should be pushing for games like these now i would think, yet theres been nothing at all mentioned of him.

Unless he is seen by Deano..as another Varndell when he was young..a finisher with nothing else in his game?

http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/falcons-land-argentinian-international

Good Signing

Yeah just noticed this one...ill take that for the rest of the season...

Good player, he will add a bit to your backline.

Decent acquisition in a problem position.

I don't think he's the player he was a few years back but he'll add to our side without doubt.

It also shows exactly how Deano is thinking. He's not going to make any major permanent signings just yet. He's signed Tiesi till the end of the season. Slight improvement in what we have but still will utlize some of the youngsters and more importantly means his options are open at the end of the season.

Biggest thing for me....FLY HALF!!! I take it all back about Jimmy! But for now i think we need to be seeing Joel on the pitch alot more. Clegg just not good enough and Godman ...pfft dross!

Turns out Zac's been injured and will definately start for his first appearance of the season in the LV game v Irish.

Matt Thompson and Michael Tait are out though after undergoing operations.

I think we need to let Michael Tait go , Nice player but always injured.

Be a good test for Zac

Yeah be good to see how he goes. Im curious to see the team now.

Curiously Strong team for an LV game -

Newcastle Falcons:
1 Grant Shiells
2 George McGuigan
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Fraser McKenzie
5 Scott MacLeod
6 Richard Mayhew
7 Will Welch (c)
8 Chris York

9 Warren Fury
10 Rory Clegg
11 Zach Kibirige
12 James Fitzpatrick
13 Danny Barnes
14 Noah Cato
15 Tom Catterick,

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Gary Strain, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Glen Young, 20 Harrison Collins, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Tom Penny

Shiells needs the minutes and does dicky at 6.

Most in need of game time tbh

Joel Hodgson has been loaned to Rotherham for this weekend to play as they have no 10's. Only expected to be for a week, it could be longer...

Whats going on?

I like the fact he's getting competitive gametime...BUT why is he not getting it for us...when Clegg and Godman are god awful!!!

Team For Gloucester LV Cup

1 Rob Vickers
2 George McGuigan
3 Scott Wilson
4 Carlo del Fava
5 Dom Barrow
6 Richard Mayhew
7 Will Welch (c)
8 Ally Hogg

9 Warren Fury
10 Rory Clegg
11 Ryan Shortland
12 Adam Powell
13 Danny Barnes
14 Noah Cato
15 Alex Tait

Replacements: 16 Kieran Brookes, 17 Gary Strain, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Scott MacLeod, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Mike Blair, 22 Zach Kibirige, 23 Phil Godman

Why play Vickers at 1 and have 2 looseheads on the bench? Good side otherwise could steal a win.