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

Wow thats awesome translation!  

I suspect that his committments with Argentina were a reason for Montpellier getting rid of him. Someothing Deano is obviously happy with.

That would give us Shiels, Lobo, Hallam and Brookes able to emergency cover aswell. Do you think Shiels will be first choice next season and do you think he'll be able to cope?

I think he'll cope, might dish the odd spanking out but he'll be able to hold his own.

Really excited by Shiells, think he'll push Grant hard for jocks 1 shirt.

TH is more of a concern imo, Shiels will be spot on but needs the TH to be competitive.

By all accounts Tomaschyk has been busting a gut on his fitness...an area i think we all agree he really struggled. If he can get that sorted he could be pretty useful in the prem...with young Scotty backing him up..

What about Brookes? Has Deano got him off the Nandos diet yet?

I reckon we might struggle on the looshead side a bit if Sheils starts to get regular international call ups.

George Carlin wrote:

Interesting on the Unoffy, they're all saying Lobo has signed (the Argentinian LH) but its just not on our official site yet?

I saw this last week, Geordie:
http://www.unoentrerios.com.ar/deportes/Lobo-Soaba-todas-las-noches-con-jugar-en-Los-Pumas-20130606-0008.html
 
The relevant part, via a urine poor free translation website is:
 

In such sense advance that is involved in this situation because he just signed the contract with Newcastle Falcons of England to play the Premiership for two years.

"When I called and got the list and I saw my name took me by surprise because I'm young and is a very big bet," he said.

On arrival at the English rugby said that driving with caution until both did the official confirmation and told details of the decision.

"Newcastle is a very important club of England that rose this year. Has a long name but a couple of years ago touched him descend. Now bet to be again protagonist and contract to coach Dean Richards who was the coach of the Leicester and that helped me make the decision," he said.

He was at Montpellier before, so he couldn't have been bad.

I realise this was through a crap internet text translator, but wouldn't it be hilarious if he actually spoke English like this? I'd want him interviewed after every game!

More seriously, looks a good signing.

Will Scott McLeod match his awesome season in the championship...or will the young pretenders of Fraser McKensie and Barrow overtake him...

You've got to hope it's the latter, especially in McKenzie's case (Barrow is still a young lad and should be targeting 10-15 games from the subs bench). McLeod's been good, but I doubt we can rely on him to play every game this season.

I agree mate...many ive spoken to rate McKensie very highly indeed as a player with real physical edge and mobility. Was on the verge of a scotland call but suffered an unlucky injury. If we can get him on that form...what a signing...him and Del Fava would be a big, powerful aggressive lock combo...

I don't think McLeod will have as much impact this season but he'll be handy around the squad.

He's a decent carrier for his size and very mobile, hopefully our lineout will be stronger with Lawson coming in.

McKenzie/Barrow could be a really interesting combo for the coming years.

Squad for JP Morgans 7's

Newcastle Falcons: 1 Harrison Collins, 2 Ben Morris, 3 Richard Mayhew (c), 4 Glen Young, 5 Michael Tait, 6 Tom Catterick, 7 Zach Kibirige, 8 Chris Harris, 9 Andy Davies, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Sean Brown, 12 Tom Penny

It's Friday I think.

Never heard of Harrison Collins,  a quick search says that he is a no.8 who made hi debut for Fylde, studying at Durham I think.

Yeah Harrison is a NO.8 / 6 big lad. Glad Ben Morris is in there he's a real livewire 7/6...gets consistantly hi marks in his games.

Nice to see alot of the kids getting exposure.

Obviously Deano wants them getting as much as possible...some very good potential in there for the XV's and we know Deano likes to use his academy where ever he's been...

Gives me a lot of hope for the future...and be interesting to watch this comp.

Is it on Telly?

They normally have highlights in ITV on Sunday eve

It's on the new BT channel too.

Guess ill be streaming it in.

Noticed theres a few over on the unoffy saying we'll be going straight down again this season as we're just not good enough.

I dont think we will go down.

I always feel better when I see the Irish team/squad, they look awful.

It'll be a battle of who finishes above them I imagine.

I agree at the moment that looks the case Sarge. Mind Even Worcester dont particularly inspire me...losing Kvesic, Mullan etc will be big blows.

Agree, although they are always tough to beat.

Irish's defence last season was shocking, all I can see changing this season is they've lost their best player in the pack(Garvey) and without JJ their centres look harmless.

I can see them bagging a few tries with some of their talented backs but they'll be concede more.

Not looking for an argument here fellas, but genuinely interested at where you see yourselves as stronger than my lot (Irish).  I look at your pack and don't see any more quality there than we have, and think you have the same issue as us in lack of depth.  In the backs, I think we have a lot more firepower, and see you as favourites for the drop.  Of course I wear green tinted specs as you all wear black tinted ones, but am interested in where you see yourselves getting the upper hand on us.

We just need to keep solid, and make sure we get a few wins under our belts early doors.

I like some of our additions...McKensie, Barrow, Powell, etc. I suspect a few of the academy players might get the odd run out aswell...

I think we'll be ok.

Ozzy,

Think it comes from the fact you have lost both your LH's in Corbs and Lahiff, one of your top players in Garvey, Joseph etc etc

Theres been a couple of others aswell...but i just dont think you can replace that quality so quickly.

Geordie,

Greetings from a Warriors supporter. I agree that our squd does not look inspiring. I too think we are going to have a squeaky bum season (as we always do). Actually our biggest loss is going to be Andy Goode. Will be interesting to see if Mieres and Warwick can fill the sizeable void. Agree we will miss Kvesic and Mullan too. Our stellar signings won't feature until December!!!!

The unknown for us is going to be our new coaching structure. There has been a complete backroom overhaul and I think that this will be the first time in years that the squad will have full time and high quality coaching (I admire Hilly as a person and coach - but his weakness was thinking that he could do it all). I hope so. On the plus side they may take to the field like a new team, on the negative side they may take to the field like a new team - if you get my drift. I think we are a real unknown quantity!!

I too look for weak teams. I think that the basement struggle will be between us, Irish and you guys (I hate to say it). That being said, I think you will stay up. Every year there is a bolter who plays unexpectedly well, and a good, established team that plays unexpectedly badly. The latter always joins the relegation battle.

Looking forward to the new season, and wishing you well.

Our pack is stronger and we look much more solid defensively imo.

Irish were like a revolving door most of last season and I can only see them being worse with losing their best players. The coaching set up seems non-exsistant in defence especially.

All opinions but I can't see past Irish for the drop and possibly by a large margin with us, Sale & Worcester in the pot for 2nd bottom.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ozzy,

Think it comes from the fact you have lost both your LH's in Corbs and Lahiff, one of your top players in Garvey, Joseph etc etc

Theres been a couple of others aswell...but i just dont think you can replace that quality so quickly.

Garvey will be a massive miss for certain, as will Lahiff, but essentially Corbs and JJ rarely played for us last season.  I agree we will be in the relegation scrap with yourselves, Worcester and I think sale again.  Last year I don't think we played as a team before Christmas, it was basically 15 individuals out there.  With the squad we now have, I think we will be closer knit and am hopeful that will see us through some of the tough times we will undoubtedly have through the season.

Pooly.  Where is your pack stronger is the question I am asking really?  

Defence was a massive issue for us first half of the season, but we actually tightened up a fair bit once Edwards left and Smith took over coaching the defence.  O'Leary was defence captain and him getting injured as well as losing Ansbro was a massive problem for us in that regard.  I would expect us to be tighter defensively this season, but as always injuries to any of the key players could see us struggle in that regard.

The Sale game was to the latter end of the season and you were a shambles defensively.

The whole pack pretty much, the only player I'd take from Irish's pack over ours is your TH as I'm insure how Tomas and Brookes will hold up.

I also think our backup players are a step up in quality(pack wise) which will show through the season.

3.. Aulika - Tomas = Aulika
2. Paice - Lawson = 50/50 I prefer Lawson
1. Hagan - Shiels = Shiels
4. Skivington - Del Fava = Del Fava
5. Evans - McKenzie = McKenzie
6. Danaher - Wilson/Welch = Wilson/Welch
7. Treviranus - Saull = Saull
8. Hala'Ufia - Hogg = Hogg

That's my honest call anyway, that's just first choice.

I thought Aulika was a TH??

Sgt_Pooly wrote:3.. Aulika - Tomas = Aulika
2. Paice - Lawson = 50/50 I prefer Lawson
1. Hagan - Shiels = Shiels
4. Skivington - Del Fava = Del Fava
5. Evans - McKenzie = McKenzie
6. Danaher - Wilson/Welch = Wilson/Welch
7. Treviranus - Saull = Saull
8. Hala'Ufia - Hogg = Hogg

That's my honest call anyway, that's just first choice.

Aulika is a tighthead, but we may see him switching to loosehead this season.

Lawson was unable to oust Paice as first choice, so headed north to you guys.  Personally I don't rate either of them particularly highly.  Will be interesting to see how they cope with the new scrum protocols.  Skivs and Evans I would have over your guys and I am surprised to see you going for Saull over Treviranus given that you've spent the best part of the last two years slating Saull at every opportunity.

I think we are in a mini league really, and it will come down to the four of us results against each other as to who finishes bottom.  

With regard to our defence, we were a shambles in that game against Sale, but to give it some context, we were safe at that point and you could see that the guys switched off at times.  In figures terms, pre Christmas we averaged shipping 29 points a game, and only conceded less than 20 on 3 occasions (out of 18), and they were a surprise win at home v Saints, an Amlin game v Bordeaux and the defeat to Welsh.  In contrast, after Christmas we averaged conceding 22 points per game, and only had big scores put on us in 3 of 13 fixtures (Bath, Saints and Tigers all away from home).

The improvement was certainly there and I genuinely feel that it will continue into this season.

I would love to get a neutrals views on this debate.

I don't rate Skivs or Evans at all, I couldn't see either getting on our bench past Macleod.

Hookers aren't great but I personally prefer Lawson.

I don't rate Saull as an England player but he's much better than Trev imo.

Id have Will Welch over Saul and Trev at the moment. And we even have another young 7 coming through who could be even better.

I think our second row will be very physical this year...and our back row is very strong.

Our midfield is the problem for me. 10-12-13. If we can fix that then we will be fine.

We should be solid defensively GF which is key for staying up for me, physicality in the pack is another.

Did I read that Clegg's kicking stats were higher than Gopperth's last season or did I imagine that??

That would be a huge bonus if so as Clegg is much better at distributing/bringing the backline in.

I believe those stats on Clegg were true mate.

Its his playmaking im more concerned about. One of my biggest frustrations with Jimmy was his overeliance on his boot. He actually could run well...but just didnt ever seem to back himself.

Lets hope Clegg or Hodgson show up well...as im not really overly optimistic on Godman!

1 Shiels
2 Lawson
3 Tomas (S.Wilson)
4 Del Fava
5 McKensie
6 Wilson / Welch
7 Welch / Saul
8 Hogg / Yorke

9 Blair
10 Clegg / Hodgson
11 Shortland
12 Powell
13 Barnes
14 Catterick / Kibirige
15 Tait

I think we need a winger, backup LH(Lobo?) and possibly a ball carrying backrower but overall very happy. Not a chance that we'll finish below a poor Irish squad imo.

I think Blair will be a great signing, not a better 9 outside the top 4 which could be key.

Quick question Falcons fans.

Would you prefer to finish 11th in the Jeff playing terrible rugby. Or still be in the Championship but playing brilliant rugby?

11th in the Jeff...playing decent rugby...but with the vision that the academy is about to explode with talent (which it is actually) and the aqusition of a few top players...

We've just given Pro contracts to a host of young academy lads...aswell as the signing of Dom Barrow, Fraser McKensie, Adam Powell, Andy Saul etc...shows the direction Deano is looking to go..

A squad / core of young local lads with excellent ability, with a handfull of international class players...and one or two world class...

Jeff every time, the championship is a league you aspire to get out of.

We played pretty poor rugby towards the end of the champ season so I don't see us massively improving. As long as we finish above Irish I'll be happy as that'll mean we've stayed up.

So you would go watch horrible rugby over good rugby because its in a better league?

Its not about wathcing horrible rugby Yappy. We had that for years and put up with it.

Its about putting up with some rubbish for a while as long as we see the foundations and bricks of a crackin side being laid down...and thats what us fans think we are seeing now.

As Sarge said...the last few games in the Championship...we were dire. It was simply get to the line which ever way we do it.

This season probably wont be much better..but its the progression we're looking for.

According to Wikipedia, Lobo is as good as ours. Rate him highly. But we need it confirmed!

The front five and the pack are very solid.

You could pose that question in any number of ways though.  Did it matter to you that England beat Ireland in a shocking game in Dublin or did you not care because it is the first time we'd won there in ages?

What is the value of playing exciting rugby but having little competition week in, week out?  Would you rather watch your team scrap to a win against Ireland or win a walk over against Namibia?

Would you rather be Irish or Saracens?

Irish throw it around and concede like they score, Sarries well, we know what Sarries do.

Give me a successful winning side anytime of the day.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Would you rather be Irish or Saracens?

Irish throw it around and concede like they score, Sarries well, we know what Sarries do.

Give me a successful winning side anytime of the day.

 
   Irish, every day of the week, and twice on a Sunday! 

Haha....screw defence, bring on the Championship!

Mate, if we went down, I'd still be there singing The Fields and supporting the boys.  I want us to win of course, but it's all about the craic for me, and I'd be bored witless watching some of the stodge, albeit winning stodge, served up by Saracens over the past couple of years.

Hala'Ufia and Treviranus would have Hogg and Saull for breakfast. Saull likes the flashy stuff but is a poor tackler and quite lightweight. Treviranus was one of the star players for Samoa in the recent tournament against Scotland, Italy and South Africa. There is simply no comparison....

I left it SirBurger when I read that Saull was much better than Treviranus.  The proof of who is better will come if they face off against each other this year. 

100% disagree.

Hala may be a stronger carrier than Hogg but Hogg is superior in every other aspect of the game plus he doesn't spend half the season banned/injured.

I actually like the look of Trev and can see why you'd rate him higher, I'd prefer Saull though.

Hala'ufia is more than just a ball carrier.  He is a big player for us, the main issue with him being ensuring that he gets on the pitch more often than not.