Newcastle Falcons Season 2014/2015 - Closed, use new one.

First topic message reminder :

UPDATED FOR 2015 / 2016

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: John Wells
Defence Coach: Graham Steadman
Attack Coach: Dave Walder

Current Squad (A= Academy):
Forwards
Props: Taione Vea, Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Ben Harris, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry,

Hookers: Scott Lawson, George McGuigan, Rob Hawkins,
David Nelson (A)

Second Rows: Dom Barrow, Callum Green, Kane Thompson, Josh Furno,
Glen Youngs (A), Will Witty (A), Sean Robinson (A), Harry Snowdon (A),

Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Richard Mayhew, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Uili Kolo'ofai, Dan Temm,
Brian Tuilagi (A), Joe Craggs (A), Calum Chick (A)

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

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

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

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Alex Tuilagi, Giovanbattista Venditti, Marcus Watson, Zac Kibirige,
Dan Marshall (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

Contracts yet to be agreed:
Oliver Tomaschyk
Scott MacLeod
Warren Fury
Jamie Helleur
Noah Cato
Rory Clegg - Going to Australia

Yes I have to say Walder has made a HUGE difference.

It has become well known that nearly all the squad had real issues with Russell and his coaching methods / tactics....and Walder has been a breath of fresh air. And the forwards and backs are working nicely together.

Many of us were indeed frustrated with Dean Richards, but he was very stubborn and insisted it will click...players just needed to get used to the tactics and stop making silly mistakes.
He is being proven right now.

Catterick is looking like the 10 may of us hoped for a few seasons back before he was put into the back three....

But most importantly for me is the academy players being brought through. The likes of Catterick (only 24...which I cant believe) , Harris (25) , Brookes, Scott Wilson (21) , McGuigan (21) , Penny (20) Will Witty (20) etc etc. with yet more coming through in the summer....

And we still have Zac Kibirige coming back....

We DO need to sort the scrum out though....its an issue.

Catterick did appear to be the goods yesterday.
However, he needs a much improved haircut if he wants to play at the top level.

ha ha...ah he has always ha the haircuts.

Catterick isn't new to us fans. He first came on the scene years ago - which is why im amazed he's only 24....and then we all saw the skills he had and really hoped he would make that ten spot his own.

However he has been mostly used as a back three option as he had real pace.

This season Walder has been training him back at ten and he's got some starts and beginning to show what us fans saw those years ago. He's put the weight on mind....not the lean machine he was...a bit of a ponch on him...but not complaining if he can continue to put improved performances in....and his kicking was excellent.

He's not a great back 3 player and of course is ginger which is a problem. Did he miss a kick yesterday?

Amazed Harris is 25?? That's his 2nd AP game!

Yeah Harris isn't as young as everyone possibly thinks. This was his last chance as his contract is up....but I think hes probably sealed a new one with his recent performances.

Yeah Catterick isn't the best back three....but things looking positive. No he didn't miss a kick.

On another forum theres a lot of talk about Fearns coming to us?

Think theres any mileage...and would we want someone so injury prone?

I've heard that about Fearns too. He would add some carrying oomph, but he has looked a little unfit and overweight to me recently. A couple of years ago, I would be delighted to have sign up for us, but now I temper it with caution and hope we can get him to see the dietician that sorted Nando Brookes out.

I really rate Fearns and I'd take him with question, but unsure where he'd fit in?

6. Wilson/Mayhew/Furno/Thompson
8. Hogg/Wilson/York/Thompson

6/8 along with lock is our strongest position.

Its the injuries that worry me Cumbrian. He seems to be out quite a bit.
But on actual style and ability its something we could use...especially with Aly Hogg not getting any younger.

We do have a lot of guys who cover lock and back row...Kane Thompson, Sean Robinson, Uli' Kolofai, and with Morris away at Rotherham and with York not looking like he'll make the grade...might be a decent signing....

If theres any truth in it of course....

Don't forget Sean Robinson has been used at 6 as well Sgt...put some good shifts in aswell. Though I think ultimately he'll be a lock.

You are correct its our strongest positions. But do we have a carrier like he is capable of doing when he is fit?

He is injury prone, but he'll have a lot of people fighting for his place too so it is fine from that point of view. Limiting the number of games a season will probably prolong his career. I suppose it all depends upon how much of a wedge he will be on if he signs up. I can imagine Bath have paid him well.

If we could trim the squad a little he'd be a great signing. We need to raise the quality a little by getting rid of some of these fringe guys like York, Helleur, Barnes. That should hopefully free up a bit of cash for a quality signing like Fearns.

I can't believe we still haven't seem Uli & Thompson on the park at the same time.

Team for Welsh?

1. Vickers
2. Lawson
3. Brookes
4. Green
5. Thompson
6. Wilson
7. Saull
8. Hogg

9. Blair
10. Catterick
11. Tuilagi
12. Socino
13. Harris
14. Sinoti
15. Hammersley

16. McGuigan
17. Fry
18. Tomas
19. Furno
20. Welch
21. Tipuna
22. Powell
23. Tait

We've signed Orlandi?

It's a poor trade if it is a sign that we are losing Brookes...

Are you overly concerned if we lose Brookes Cumbrian?

I don't know how I feel about it. I imagine he wants a large salary and spends most of the season injured. He's a good player but I wouldn't want us to break the bank with Scotty Wilson coming through nicely and Tomas more than able at this level.

Who's Orlandi?

As for the team for welsh...id probably start Furno, McGuigan, Tipuna and Powell.

I see he is an Argentinian covers both sides and a real scrummager. Maybe that's just what we need especially at LH if he is good.

Hopefully doesn't mean anything about Brookes.

Interesting...opinions of the fans seem to be changing about Eric Fry as they see to be starting to think he will become very good acquisition especially when they work on his scrummaging....but im really not sure.

EDIT:
Dean qutoe from the Offy:

Speaking of the new signing, Director of Rugby Dean Richards said: "We’re delighted to be able to bring a player of Juan Pablo's calibre into the club.
"Over recent months we've seen a number of front row players unavailable for selection due to injury and international duties, and to be able to add Juan Pablo to our options in that area provides us with greater depth on either side of the scrum.
"Juan Pablo is a strong guy who has already proven he can make an impact at the highest level, and we look forward to integrating him into our side over the coming weeks."

That suggests to me he's an addition not a replacement for Mr Brookes.

I think he's an addition GF, we've struggled at prop. I've seen him play in France and for Arg and he was a handy TH, can't say I've ever seen him at LH though.

Eric Fry is an awful prop currently, I've seen very little improvement.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Are you overly concerned if we lose Brookes Cumbrian?

I don't know how I feel about it. I imagine he wants a large salary and spends most of the season injured. He's a good player but I wouldn't want us to break the bank with Scotty Wilson coming through nicely and Tomas more than able at this level.

Concerned perhaps isn't the right word, frustrated is closer to it.  He's a very good young prop who is already gaining international experience at 24.  If he keeps developing I can see him being one of the best props in the Premiership by the time he is 28/30.  I suppose I get tired of looking at players like Davey Wilson and think about what could have been.

It continues to set a bad precedent too,  I'd hate to think of Scotty Wilson looking at him as an example.

I'd be annoyed if Brookes left , took him back from Tigers and turned him into a international and jumps ship at the first chance.


Interestingly team for Welsh


1.Bobby
2.McGuigan 
3.Brookes
4.Green
5.Barrow
6.Wilson
7.Saull
8.Hogg

9.Tipuna
10.Clegg
11.Sinoti
12.Socino
13.Powell
14.Harris
15.Tait

Also Dan Temm played wing for the A team against Saracens

Barrow is injured

Oh well , Furno will start then with Mcleod playing 80 last night.

Newcastle Falcons vs London Welsh:

15 S. Hammersley, 14. S. Sinoti, 13. A. Powell, 12. JP. Socino, 11. A. Tait, 10. T. Catterick, 9. M. Blair;

1. R. Vickers, 2. S. Lawson, 3. K. Brookes, 4. C. Green, 5. J. Furno, 6. M. Wilson, 7. W. Welch, 8. A. Hogg.

Replacements: 16. G. McGuigan, 17. E. Fry, 18. JP. Orlandi, 19. K. Thompson, 20. R. Mayhew, 21. R. Tipuna, 22. C. Harris, 23. Al. Tuilagi.

Good to see Hanmers back, it's a good looking side. Not sure if Tuilagi is injured or it's him on the bench??

Falcons Team

Newcastle Falcons vs London Welsh:

1. R. Vickers,
2. S. Lawson,
3. K. Brookes,
4. C. Green,
5. J. Furno,
6. M. Wilson,
7. W. Welch,
8. A. Hogg.

9 M. Blair
10 T. Catterick
11 A.Tait
12 JP. Socino
13 A. Powell
14 S.Sinoti
15 S. Hammersley,

Replacements: 16. G. McGuigan, 17. E. Fry, 18. JP. Orlandi, 19. K. Thompson, 20. R. Mayhew, 21. R. Tipuna, 22. C. Harris, 23. Al. Tuilagi.
--------------------------------

London Welsh:
15. Will Robinson, 14. Elliot Kear*, 13. Tom May* (C), 12. Seb Jewell, 11. Nick Scott, 10. Piri Weepu*, 9. Paul Rowley, 1. Nathan Trevett, 2. Koree Britton, 3. Taione Vea*, 4. Ben West, 5. James Down, 6. Peter Browne 7. Carl Kirwan, 8. Opeti Fonua*.

Replacements: 16. Nathan Morris, 17. Ricky Reeves, 18. Ben Cooper, 19. Richard Thorpe*, 20. Ben Pienaar, 21. Rob Lewis, 22. Olly Barkley*, 23. Seb Stegmann

Too slow GF lol

ha ha yeah bloomin typical.

How Green been playing?

 What is contract situation?

Green has been class Welly.

Probably one of Deans first names on the team sheet. He's not flashy, he's your old fashioned socks rolled down, tough nut forward. He just gets stuck in and grafts.

Cool will be one to watch then former Leciester lad.

 We may be losing Parling, Deacon and Thorn.

 Although with Slater and Kitchener both young for locks doubt it would happen.

I thought you guys had a good stock of locks....Price etc...

GeordieFalcon wrote:I thought you guys had a good stock of locks....Price etc...

 ATM we have
 Slater (Club Captain)
 Parling (Sounds like Exeter done deal)
 Kitchener (Future international starter imo)
 Thorn (Getting on at 40 although love to see him for 1 more year)
 Deacon (Pretty much retired now)
 De Cheves (Improving)
 Price (Academy lad)
 Whetton (Son of former NZ lock Gary Whetton)
 Peterson (6ft 8 20 stone US international)

 And sounds like Wuss Mike Williams is a done deal (He will be placing Deacon who is all but retired due to injury).

 But could also need more locks. Esp if Parling and Thorn goes.

 I liked Green but he was just to injury prone at the time when we also had Price (Eng U20) and Cain (Eng U20 although retired due to injuries).

I think Green has played every game this season and has another year on this season.

I'm not sure about Kitchener getting ahead of Launch/Lawes anytime soon, he's not at their level imo. He could get past Attwood though.

Will London Welsh turn up?

I can't see LW getting anything out of this game to be honest. Falcons are improving steadily and I expect their more attacking play to result in enough tries for the TBP. Even we (LI) managed 3 despite torrential rain and constantly coughing up the ball when we got into good positions.

I liked Green but he was just to injury prone at the time when we also had Price (Eng U20) and Cain (Eng U20 although retired due to injuries).

Welly, the irony is now Green is is mr consisten (touch every bit of wood around me) but Dom Barrow is the concern...he just seems so injury prone. Out again for a few months.

Him and Green could be a very imposing lock pairing.

As for LW...you know im a falcons fan and have been for an awful long time so I know what we are like.

We're playing well and "should" win however im not going to underestimate LW either...I just hope we play like we have been and we have a good chance.

Being in a similar position GF I understand your caution but I really can't see you losing this one

Sinoti......

Looking pretty good bar the scrum.....again

FFFAAAAALLLLCCCCOOOONNNNSSS

Bugger

Nice try by Welsh, I wouldn't mind taking on Fanoa their 8, he's a wrecking ball.

Yeah i was thinking that Sgt

Is this the 4th???

No its the 11th January

Excellent bonus point already.

Catterick is reducing the need for a new 10

His distribution is the best in the AP imo, such speed on his pass.

If we could buy two top class props I'd be happy.

I liked Green when he was a Tigers. He broke onto the fringes of the first team had a really nasty injury and never showed the same form once he returned. We had Cain who was bigger and more mobile in direct competition as well as Wells and Price coming through at the time. He found his best form at Leeds at it wasn't a surprise he got picked up by an AP side.

Falcons are smashing LW just need to be careful of the counter attack.