Newcastle Falcons - Premiership 2023 - 2024

First topic message reminder :

Director of Rugby (Non Rugby Matters): Matt Thompson
Head Coach & DOR (Rugby Matters): Steve Diamond
Forwards Coach: Micky Ward
Defence Coach: Scott Baldwin
Attack Coach: Mark Laycock
Lineout Coach: Scott Macleod
Skills Coach: Mark Laycock
S&C: Tim Payne

Current Squad:

Hookers
Jamie Blamire
Bryan Byrne
Ollie Fletcher (A)
Jacob Oliver (A)

Props
TH
Eduardo Bello
Murray MaCallum
Richard Palframan
Mark Tampin
Callum Hancock (A)

LH
Adam Brocklebank
Luin De Bruin
Mike Rewcastle (A)
Isaac Keller (A)
Connor Hancock (A)

Locks
Sebastian De Chaves
Kiran McDonald
Tim Cardall
Luke Coulston (A)
Adam Scott (A)
Fin Baker (A)

Back 5
Pedro Rubiolo
Philip van der Walt
John Kelly
John Hawkins

Back Row
Callum Chick
Josh Bainbridge
Freddie Lockwood
Ollie Leatherbarrow
Marcus Tiffin
Cameron Neild
[b]Reuben Parsons (A)
[b]Charlie Turnbull (A)

Scrum Halves
Sam Stuart
Hugh O'Sullivan
James Elliott
Ben Douglas (A)
Joe Davis (A)

Fly Halves
Brett Connon
Kieran Wilkinson
Junior Newton (A)

Centres
Cameron Hutchison
Zach Kerr (and Wing)
Oli Spencer (A)
Rhys Beeckmans (A)

Wingers
Ben Stevenson
Alex Hearle
Adam Radwan
Nathan Greenwood (A)

Full Back
Tom Penny
Louis Brown
Elliott Obatoyinbo
Ben Redshaw (A)

Sgt_Pooly wrote:What investment would that be Hazel?

To be fair Orlando looks a very solid signing who should bring something in the centres. The only area I can see us being competitive is the backrow, past that we're relegation fodder with Deano's tactics.

Luther Burrell has some England caps and Shreuder is a former Springbok....you are right, there is little investment in new signings. Think the first target for clubs has to be surviving financially this season

The wings could be special and it is the position that probably requires the least amount of experience (as someone who played the position poorly). Still probably not the same as Goneva, Sinoti, M Watson and Kibirige of three years ago though. Particularly if they can't get the ball!

Hopefully some of the youngsters show up and build towards a future

Of course Dean has to actually play the kids.

He seems happy to play youngsters in the pack...yet very reluctant to put kids in the backs. Kibirige is a fine example. Never got a game (when fit and out of the court case) yet moves to Wasps and is a try scoring starter...

i see rumors on the unoffy is that Sinoti and Head Coach Dave Walder have had a training field punch up, due to be covered in the rugby paper next week.

Maybe Sinoti is as peed off with the training and shambles of tactics as us supporters are.

I see the rumours are flying about The Falcons environment and behind the scenes.

Sinoti has left with immediate effect, apparently after a training ground punch up with a coach (thought to be Dave Walder).

Then Tane Takuluas wife has come out and said there is a toxic environment at the Falcons and that Takulua was ready to quit rugby he was so unhappy...and that he instructed his agent to find a new club and took a salary cut just to get away from the Falcons.
She effectively points the finger at the coaches...

Maybe it's time for Seymore to cull the lot and bring in a young forward looking coach to bring through all the young talent we have coming through...not the Dinosaur currently in charge...

Who'd be high on the list though GF? You are going to struggle to get any Aussies or Kiwis in so it's Europe or maybe SA.

Worrying to hear of that environment after a winning season though there's a few players been unhappy with their club and Covid has seemed to amplify those feelings.

Well that's the thing Sam . There must be some young talented coaches who fancy the chance.

Newcastle would be an interesting option for someone new looking to develop kids, put through a successful style of rugby etc and prove themselves.

The academy really is in overdrive so now would be the best time..

I'm sure there's young coaches who fancy the chance. Would they be any good though. Changing for the sake of changing might not actually help you.

It's one of those isn't it...

It's the style of rugby I'll be watching closely this season.....if it's as bad as it has been...I'll be saying it's time for Desn to move on.

GeordieFalcon wrote:It's one of those isn't it...

It's the style of rugby I'll be watching closely this season.....if it's as bad as it has been...I'll be saying it's time for Desn to move on.

Watch the game back and see if the style suits 

I'm not sure what Bath were trying to do they seemed to swing from throwing it around to trying to power past Falcons. Falcons looked more cohesive and really up for it.

Sam, I'll watch the game, but judging from the other fans comments it would appear theres been a slight tactics change. If this is the case then I'll be more than happy. Maybe Nick Easter has had some input...

Apparently Stevenson played well on the wing. I'm chuffed because him and Wakecoke were excellent in the centres last season and I really hoped he could step up the level.

Let's see how we go...

Stevenson touched the ball twice I think and the second time scored in the corner. Radwan was exceptional.

Ah right..I was just going off the reports...

I'll watch the game.

Radwan is class I have been telling everyone. We have two other wingers of different styles who will be equally as impressive...

Radwan is going to have a great season, wait till the lad gets a bit of space!

Very surprised with the performance, I did not see that coming. We give it a go from the off, much like we did the season we came 4th. Mixed it up well and attacked when it was on. Set piece was ok, defence good and enough in attack to score when it mattered.

Should be a semi decent season.

Ewells hit Radwan with a head on head tackle and it Radders has lost some teeth as a result.

Radwan has to have a head assessment...hope he makes friday

Sgt .....we have said for years...we just want the side to be aggressive and actually go for teams. Not the damage limitation we seem to always see.

Lets hope young Adam has passed his head assessments and is available for Friday...

Team for Cardiff tomorrow.  
Whole team rested. Familiar faces back from injury...aswell as new players getting a run out and academy lads.
Kyle Cooper will he get his first run out after converting to loose head prop
And Mark Wilson back!!!  

15 Alex Tait
14 George Wacokecoke
13 Pete Lucock
12 Joel Matavesi
11 Tom Arscott
10 Joel Hodgson (captain)
9 Sam Stuart

1 Adam Brocklebank
2 Jamie Blamire
3 Mark Tampin
4 Darren Barry
5 Bailey Ransom
6 Rob Farrar
7 Josh Basham
8 Tom Marshall

Replacements:
16 Charlie Maddison
17 Kyle Cooper
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Connor Collett
20 Mark Wilson
21 Louis Schreuder
22 Cooper Vuna
23 Brett Connon

Great start to the season by Newcastle.

Interested to see how Tom Marshall gets on, Scots qualified if memory serves.

Is John Hardie fit or just not getting a look in at the minute? Guy Graham?

Tom Marshal was the Scotland U20 number 8...real good young prospect.

Hardie is injured...along with Welch and Chick etc.
Not sure what Guy Graham is doing..maybe out on loan.

Apparently young scrum half Kelemeti is out on loan.

Cardiff have 200 international caps.

This young side is really doing well. 10-13 cardiff at 30 mins.

Another try falcons...wodnerful try.

36 mins 15-13

Commentators salivating over Jamie Blamire...
I told you he was good. Alfie Bearbary..isnt the only quality hooker coming through....

20 -33 to Cardiff ...

Rustyness, inexperience and tiredness took over in the latter parts of the second half.

Really no complaints against a side of their experience.

Cardiff could maybe have had a BP, had they gone to the corner earlier. The highlight of the game for me, was Matthew Morgan’s cowardice for Falcons’ first try though.

GeordieFalcon wrote:20 -33 to Cardiff ...

Rustyness, inexperience and tiredness took over in the latter parts of the second half.

Really no complaints against a side of their experience.  

A lot of them aren’t that experienced, but yes they also had a lot of internationals playing, albeit some of them not really international quality. How many first choice players for Falcons?

There were no starting first teamers in our starting line up.

Tom Arscott possibly...challenging for the 15 shirt.

Joel Hodgson is a bench player

On the bench there were a couple returning from injry after 8 month's without a game like mark wilson, Rodney Ah You etc...

Ps whats happened to Hallam Amos..wasnt he the next big thing for Wales a year or so ago?

Mark Wilson and Matavesi aren’t first team players? Have to admit a lot of Falcons players put in a good effort but the team didn’t play that well, maybe to be expected with rotation. Cardiff didn’t play great either.

Amos was a pro since 17 but didn’t quite quick on, sadly. A year ago? Nah you must be thinking of a few years ago when him and Tyler Morgan tore it up against you (you’ve been down and back up a couple times since).

GF said starting lineup to be fair. Wilson is definitely a first XV player but was on the bench just returning from injury.

Matavesi hasn't been in the 23 for the first 3 Prem rounds with Flood and Burrell being the midfield.

The start Falcons have made is remarkable. Deano waving his magic wand when it matters. Blamire is indeed impressive - very physical. As is Basham - looks a really good signing to pick him up from LI.

When the Premiership resumes who do you think will partner Gary Graham and Wilson in the back row? I'd presume that Deano will stick with Robinson at blindside but there's a lot of talent in the back row.

king_carlos wrote:GF said starting lineup to be fair.

Eh?

Cardiff weren't good last year either, evident in the way they lost to Leicester. From what I understand Falcons have always used this comp as a development tool though.

mikey_dragon wrote:Mark Wilson and Matavesi aren’t first team players? Have to admit a lot of Falcons players put in a good effort but the team didn’t play that well, maybe to be expected with rotation. Cardiff didn’t play great either.

Amos was a pro since 17 but didn’t quite quick on, sadly. A year ago? Nah you must be thinking of a few years ago when him and Tyler Morgan tore it up against you (you’ve been down and back up a couple times since).

Your thinking of Josh Matavesi who has moved to Bath. This is his younger brother Joel..not a first team starter.

Mark Wilson definitely is..as i said a few players on the bench are. Mark , Ah You etc havent played in about 9 months...so massively rusty which showed when they cane on.

The starting 15 are not starting players.  Wakecoke may change that..as hes class and was starting centre last season...

I thought Hallam Amos was a wales winger for a while and the new starlet. Didnt realise it was long ago. Clearly im losing track of time.

Yes Dean always uses this as a development competition and one for injury returnees getting gametime.

king_carlos wrote:

When the Premiership resumes who do you think will partner Gary Graham and Wilson in the back row? I'd presume that Deano will stick with Robinson at blindside but there's a lot of talent in the back row.

The back row will be a massive dilemma . The two second row monsters are a real reason for our physicality. So you cant take them out. That means Robinson HAS to play at 6. Hes been brilliant so far this season as he is every season.

That leaves 2 positions free. Gary Graham is everytihng you want in an angry scottish border flanker.
You have Mark Wilson now back...Connor Collett playing so very well this season .

Then you have:
Southa African No.8 : De Walt..injured
Forner Capt Will Welch: Injured
Scotland flanker John Hardie: Injured
Basham : Looked good on friday night
Scottish Number 8: Tom Marshal played friday night
Cumbrian Academy Bruiser Rob Farrar..played 6 friday night. Big future...

Dean will earn his money..

Newcastle Falcons team to face Castres (Friday, 5.30pm UK time, Stade Pierre Fabre)

Interesting side...

15 Tom Arscott
14 Zach Kerr
13 Pete Lucock
12 Joel Matavesi
11 Cooper Vuna
10 Brett Connon
9 Sam Stuart

1 Kyle Cooper
2 Charlie Maddison
3 Rodney Ah You
4 Rob Farrar
5 Darren Barry
6 Tom Marshall
7 Mark Wilson (captain)
8 Josh Basham

Replacements

16 Jamie Blamire
17 Adam Brocklebank
18 Mike Daniels
19 Freddie Lockwood
20 Philip van der Walt
21 Callum Pascoe
22 Will Haydon-Wood
23 Chidera Obonna

So it looks like we've signed Santiago Grondona (back row) and Mateo Carerras (Back three) from the Jaguares

Do either of them have dual nationality or are they both counting as foreign players?

Not sure mate to be honest.

Well we lacked a little "clinicalness " is that word?

But some very encouraging performances.

Wilson and De Walt just oozed class.
Kyle Cooper looked made for Loosehead.
Young 6 Rob Farrar was bruinsing playing at lock once again
Winger Zach Kerr was outstanding. Played himself into selection for the next prem game.

19 year old Centre Chidera Obonna was outstanding when he came on setting up 3 tries. He will be the falcons 13 for years soon.

Lucock was awful and Matavesi was so frustrating. You could see what he was trying..but it never came off...but when it does hell be a big skilled unit at 12.

GeordieFalcon wrote:So it looks like we've signed Santiago Grondona (back row) and Mateo Carerras (Back three) from the Jaguares

Carerras looks more of a project (very small and powerful/quick) and may take a while to get involved. Grondona could offer a real option though, see he's already around the Argentina squad at 21.

We have a lot of project players at the moment...all from our own academy. So let see how they all go.

We have lots of back rowers as well. But see how this one goes.

Did you see the game Sgt?

Zach Kerr looked very interesting indeed. Probably lacks the full gas for a winger...so 13 might be made for him. Strong, Aggressive, energetic. He looks a right handful to play against.
And Obonna was very good.

I see we have confirmed the signing of Argentian duo (Flanker) Santiago Grondona,22 and (Wing/ Back three / 7's) Mateos Carreras 20 until the end of the current season.

Tigers have covid ....Falcons awarded the win

Any of you boys seen much of Phil Brantingham? LH/TH?

It's been a long time since we've had a promising lock come through (Wilson obviously).

What is going on with our scrum this season? We look.....dare I say it.....pretty good! I've been a big knocker of Davison over the years and did not see a tiny bit of a premiership prop in him, but he has been outstanding so far.

Not much Sgt...but i know the gurus in the England coaching set up say hes one of the best young loosies they have seen in an awful long time. Ill not sing and shout yet though...as you say Scott Wilson was very highly regarded but sadly we know what happened there.

Promising Lock? Did you mean that?

I think We have two excellent scrummaging locks which is helping. Two big powerhouses.

And yes i think Trevor Davison has been very good. Hes not flashy, hes seems to be fit for every game, he just gets on with the job and has a very high workrate. I'd put money on it that he is one of Deans favorite / go to players now. Hes one who has improved visibly since he came from Blaydon.

We have resigned Jon Welsh until the end of the season??

I meant prop. I guess Welsh is fit then? He knows the setup I guess, obvious re-signing if he's proved himself.

If Dean is right in his report saying Jon is fit and in good condition then he'll be a nice addition to the squad.

We have a good number of front rowers now so his workload will be managed aswell.

Geordie must be a happy boy today

Ah well Grondona has popped his knee ligaments and has gone back to Argentina for an op. Guess we wont be seeing him for a long time in a Falcons shirt..if ever.

Worcester game now called off.

I'm really concerned at what they must be doing in training at KP on attack.

We literally look like rabbits in the headlight when we get the ball I'm attacking phases.

We must have the lowest conversion rate of possession/chances to scoring tries.

Sales defence was impressive don't get me wrong...but jeez we need to show alot more intelligence with the ball.

So Mike brown confirmed. Not a bad signing. Hopefully help the youngsters aswell