Newcastle Falcons Thread - Use Championship thread

[Geordie]

First topic message reminder :

A thread to keep an eye on the summer activities...still to find out if its premiership or championship.

Current Squad:

Forwards
Props:
Grant Shiels
Euan Murray
Ashley Wells
John Golding
Scott Wilson
James Hall - Has he left?
Oliver Tomasczyk

Hookers:
Matt Thompson
Rob Vickers
George McGuigan
Joe Graham
Michel Mayhew

Second Rows
Carlo Del Fava
Adriaan Fondse
james Hudson
Josh Beaumont
Scott MacLeod
Richard Boyle
Glen Townson

Back Row
Taisina Tui'Fua
Ally Hogg
Will Welch
Richard Mayhew
Mark Wilson
Adam Balding
Joe Robinson
Chris York

Backs
SH's
Rory Lawson
Jordi Pasqualin
Chris Pilgrim

Fh's
Joel Hodgson (Or will he move to SH)
Jimmy Gopperth
Tom Catterick
Waisea Luveniyali

Centres
Corne Ullys
Jamie Helleur
James Fitzpatrick
Luke Fielden
Tane Tu'ipulotu
Andrew Higgins
Alex Crocket
Michael Tait

Back 3
Greg Goosen
Kirbridge
Alex Tait
Ryan Shortland
Tom Bedford
Suka Hufanga
Ricki Sheriffe

Please who have left:
Will Chudley: Scrum Half Exeter
Tim Swinson: 6 / Second Row Glasgow Warriors
Andrew van der Heijden has confirmed he is returning back to New Zealand (Aukland)
James Goode is likely to head back to the Ospreys after the end of his loan deal
Peter Stringer will return back to Munster for next season.

[RDW]

Alright Geordies - my favourite English team! (Dad born in Newcastle, was at a mental stag doo there recently and you've got a few Scots in your team!)

Just wondering what your thoughts are for your friendly with Edinburgh? How many of your big name players will be available? It will be our first game and I doubt if any of our internationalists will be playing. Should still have a strong squad though with the new boys that have been brought in playing their first games. Chance for some fringe players to lay down a marker too.

I can't make it down to Newcastle and doubt there'll be any cameras, so looking for you guys to let me know how the Edinburgh guys play!

p.s. my spell checker flagged up Geordies as being incorrect - the only suggestion it gave was "sordidness" - seems rather apt!

[Geordie]

Ha ha Sordidness...aye canny.

Did you end up in the gate or bigg market? Most of the stag do's do.

Yeah the Falcons have always had a good bunch of Scots in the team...from my favorite Gary Armstrong to Peter Walton and Doddie Weir etc.

We seem to be bringing that back a little bit which i think is a good thing as it confirms the border region affinity.

I think we'll put out a strong team against Edinburgh...as we are in rebuilding and Deano will want to get his first choicers familiar with each other and his method of playing...

[RDW]

Not sure - ended up in a bar that sold doubles for 2.50 and tripples for 3 quid (think it was known as the doubles bar or something!), and of course there was Shearer's bar!

Ended up at the rippers too - not sure which one cause was fairly reekin by that point and it was properly pishin doon so we just got in a taxi. Lets just say I was impressed with the standard on show compared to Edinburgh!

Went to one of the big clubs there too - again can't remember which one! Across from a kebab shop is all I remember!

So back to the rugby - the thing I'm really looking forward to seeing from an Edinburgh point of view is how Ben Atiga plays. Former junior world player of the year but been out of rugby for the last couple of years. Could turn out to be an incredible signing for Edinburgh and keen to see if he's still got it.

[justified sinner]

Well looks like Falcons will be without Euan Murray. Off to Agen, if this is to be believed;

http://iciarmandie.net/2012/08/10/un-joker-international/

[George Carlin]

Looks official - Agen say that he signed yesterday:
http://www.agen-rugby.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6721&Itemid=130

Damn. Hope that they keep hold of Shiells.

[Sgt_Pooly]

I'm not overly concerned with this.

Murray will be on big bucks and he's hardly set the world alight since he's been up here, he's certainly not the TH he was 3/4 years ago.

He'd have dominated at Champ level but Tomas is a good operator and will be good enough along with Shiells to be one of the better scrums about.

[Driver]

He's going on a 3 month loan deal.

That's all i'll say.

[Cumbrian]

If it's a loan, does that mean Falcons are still paying his wages and they count towards the salary cap? (What is the Championship salary cap anyway?)

[Sgt_Pooly]

I don't think there is a cap in the Championship, not sure how it would work with the parachute payments etc.

[Sgt_Pooly]

How are we looking anyway?

[Driver]

38-3 up at half time

[Sgt_Pooly]

Not much of a challenge then!

Did you get up?

Hows York looking?

[Driver]

No I'm at Rhyton festival , seen score on Facebook

[Cumbrian]

I don't think there is a cap in the Championship, not sure how it would work with the parachute payments etc.

Fair point.

Falcons just beat Donny 52-17 according to twitter. Try scorers were:

Gopperth x2
Tu'ifua
Crockett
Will Welch
Alex Tait
Catterick

[Sgt_Pooly]

Cheers Cumbrian, I wonder if big Joe got on the park??

[Cumbrian]

No worries, Joe's is in the squad for the Leeds match so I'll be looking out for news of that.

Edit: He's been named as a replacement for both matches on the Falcons site so you'd have thought he'd have had some game time by the end of the day!

[Cumbrian]

Leeds game finished 52-19! Satisfactory day I'd say.

Falcons 104- 36 Yorkshire

[Sgt_Pooly]

That's a serious score line, I'm guessing Leeds put out a decentish side.

All good signs at this early stage.

[Cumbrian]

Leeds team:

15. Stevie McColl
14. Curtis Wilson
13. Pete Lucock
12. Freddie Burdon
11. David Doherty

10. Joe Ford
9. Craig Hampson

1. Sam Lockwood
2. Phil Nilsen
3. Damien Tussac
4. Calum Green
5. Dan Hemingway
6. Richard Beck
7. Jacob Rowan (c)
8. Ryan Burrows


16. Scott Freer
17. Lee Imiolek
18. Ben Hooper
19. Mike Myerscough
20. Dominic Barrow
21. Pearce Phillips
22. James Doherty
23. Matt Clark
24. Christian Georgiou

A mix of kids and first teamers.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Yea a pretty decent side. Rowan & Burrows are very good players.

Imolek is a bit of a coup for them, I thought he looked pretty strong at Sale.

[Cumbrian]

Aye, it's a good little set up they've got with Sale. I can see them getting the likes of Ross Harrison, Jordan Davies and Mark Jennings too.

It's funny, I read some Sale fans saying that this was a make-or-break season for Imiolek, can you imagine it? Make-or-break season for a 21 year old prop?!? We've surely been spoiled with young props like Marler and Thomas over the last few years!

[Driver]

Michael Tagicakibau could be a super signing for Bristol

[Geordie]

What a fantastic day. My head is a little fragile...i love my two pint pitchers...

We looked very strong to be honest. Even Gopperth barely kicked...and looked like a creative FH.

We shouldnt have any bother coming back up if we play like this in the friendlies. Catterick looked great on the wing...and young Joel Hodgson has beefed up a little and looked interesting at 10 in the second game.

All this talk of Ford and Burns etc...Hodgson could be a dark horse for England in a few year or two...

James Fitzpatrick should be Englands 12...watching him running with three guys hanging off him...awesome.

And BIG JOE....at 8...the beast was unleashed....

We wont miss Murray at all. Get rid of him.

[Cumbrian]

How did Joe look? Did he carry well?

[Sgt_Pooly]

How did York look GF?

Interesting that Hodgson has bulked up, he could be a real star at Champ level.

[Geordie]

Ah he was ok mate...wasnt standout but did the basics well...i would say solid.

Tui'Fua was a big carrier...but id rather see him at 6 than 8 and York looked decent.

But Gopperth was the one that shocked me....if he plays like that...he can stay at 10....and young Joel looked good at 10 in the second game.

If thats a sample....we'll be back up at the first attempt and will have players challenging for England spots...

[Geordie]

Sarge

Dont get me wrong Joel isnt Arnie...but he just didnt look fragile....and put some impressive tackles in....he's one to watch........

[Sgt_Pooly]

Gopperth always had the running game in his locker he just didn't seem to like to pass. Confidence in players around him or coaching plan???? I don't know.

I really hope Joel can come through as the boy has talent and with a solid platform we could see some good wins up at KP.

Hopefully be able to get up next week for Edinburgh...Friday???

[Geordie]

Aye, well looks like Deano has told him to play....maybe given him an ultimatum.

I kept plugging Hodgson to move to 9....but on this performance keep him at 10...but where does that leave Catterick...he looked very impressive on the wing...a real livewire.

Whilst he did ok yesterday Im not a huge fan of Alex Tait so maybe keep TC at FB.

Vickers must start over Thompson at hooker...

But before i get over enthusiastic....lets see how the first choice team go against Edinburgh...and the return of McVisser...

And Deano was mingling with us all in the West stand....big guy...but friendly...

[Driver]

Be a interesting one the Edinburgh game. They've built some back line and Timmathy isn't the most popular face at Kingston park.

Should be a cracker!

Goppereth might finally be coached properly under Russell , How did Michael Tait do? Hope he comes back strong after such a long lay off.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Edinburgh will probably be a step too far if they put out a good side but it should be a real workout at least.

[RDW]

Edinburgh will probably be a step too far if they put out a good side but it should be a real workout at least.

As I said earlier I can't see our internationalists starting - at a push some of them will be on the bench. So I expect the team to be the new signings coupled with existing squad players.

Not sure when the team will be announced but I reckon it will be along the lines of:

1 John Yapp (Welsh international)
2 Alun Walker (promising young hooker)
3 WP Nel (our biggest signing this year)
4 Grant Gilchrist (Huge young lock - held his position down most of last season. Very promising)
5 Sean Cox (surprise package of last season - adds a hard edge to the team)
6 Stuart McInally (Young Scottish backrow - not the biggest but very dynamic)
7 Roddy Grant C (Great work rate)
8 Dmitri Basillia (The Georigan number 8 that scored against England in the WC - not sure if he's actually at the club yet though!)
9 Richie Rees (Welsh International)
10 Harry Leonard (Very promising young standoff. Scotland under 20 captain
11 Mike Penn (New twinkle toes winger. Tiny but got a great step
12 James King / John Houston (Both good squad player)
13 Ben Atiga (Former juniour world player of the year - can't wait to see what he's like now)
14 Dougie Fife / Jamie Farndale (both very promising young wingers)
15 Greig Tonks (Former Northampton back - will be good to see what he's like)

So that's what I think the team will be, but will update accordingly when it is announced.

[Cumbrian]

Edinburgh will probably be a step too far if they put out a good side but it should be a real workout at least.

As I said earlier I can't see our internationalists starting - at a push some of them will be on the bench. So I expect the team to be the new signings coupled with existing squad players.

Not sure when the team will be announced but I reckon it will be along the lines of:

1 John Yapp (Welsh international)
2 Alun Walker (promising young hooker)
3 WP Nel (our biggest signing this year)
4 Grant Gilchrist (Huge young lock - held his position down most of last season. Very promising)
5 Sean Cox (surprise package of last season - adds a hard edge to the team)
6 Stuart McInally (Young Scottish backrow - not the biggest but very dynamic)
7 Roddy Grant C (Great work rate)
8 Dmitri Basillia (The Georigan number 8 that scored against England in the WC - not sure if he's actually at the club yet though!)
9 Richie Rees (Welsh International)
10 Harry Leonard (Very promising young standoff. Scotland under 20 captain
11 Mike Penn (New twinkle toes winger. Tiny but got a great step
12 James King / John Houston (Both good squad player)
13 Ben Atiga (Former juniour world player of the year - can't wait to see what he's like now)
14 Dougie Fife / Jamie Farndale (both very promising young wingers)
15 Greig Tonks (Former Northampton back - will be good to see what he's like)

So that's what I think the team will be, but will update accordingly when it is announced.

I can tell you what I saw of him in the England U20's and for Northampton. He is a very good broken field runner, very quick and elusive with the ball in hand. However, he is also very flaky and can be a little insecure under the high ball and in the tackle. He tends to run the ball back a bit too much as well. Basically think of him as a young Nick Abendanon,. I've always had a hunch that he could become a very decent player though.

[RDW]

Thanks Cumbrian.

He is a very good broken field runner, very quick and elusive with the ball in hand. However, he is also very flaky and can be a little insecure under the high ball and in the tackle.

Pretty much sums up the Edinburgh team last year - great in attack but flaky in defence!

[funnyExiledScot]

I think Tonks will be a hit at Edinburgh. His moving north is hopefully a committment to his Scottish roots, and at Edinburgh he's in the right place to launch ill-judged counterattacks. Tom Brown will be his main rival for the jersey, and although a promising young player, is by no means the finished article. Tonks could well have the 15 jersey by the end of the season.

[justified sinner]

Edinburgh will probably be a step too far if they put out a good side but it should be a real workout at least.

As I said earlier I can't see our internationalists starting - at a push some of them will be on the bench. So I expect the team to be the new signings coupled with existing squad players.

Not sure when the team will be announced but I reckon it will be along the lines of:

1 John Yapp (Welsh international)
2 Alun Walker (promising young hooker)
3 WP Nel (our biggest signing this year)
4 Grant Gilchrist (Huge young lock - held his position down most of last season. Very promising)
5 Sean Cox (surprise package of last season - adds a hard edge to the team)
6 Stuart McInally (Young Scottish backrow - not the biggest but very dynamic)
7 Roddy Grant C (Great work rate)
8 Dmitri Basillia (The Georigan number 8 that scored against England in the WC - not sure if he's actually at the club yet though!)
9 Richie Rees (Welsh International)
10 Harry Leonard (Very promising young standoff. Scotland under 20 captain
11 Mike Penn (New twinkle toes winger. Tiny but got a great step
12 James King / John Houston (Both good squad player)
13 Ben Atiga (Former juniour world player of the year - can't wait to see what he's like now)
14 Dougie Fife / Jamie Farndale (both very promising young wingers)
15 Greig Tonks (Former Northampton back - will be good to see what he's like)

So that's what I think the team will be, but will update accordingly when it is announced.

Think this will be used as a run out exercise so expect players like McAlpine, Hunter, Parker to feature as well. Also not sure if the JWC players will be picked, not sure where they are in pre-season. Also if Lee Jones is fully fit he may get a game.

[George Carlin]

McInally, Grant and Big Bassy is probably the shortest but angriest set of loosies that Edinburgh has had for a while.

[Geordie]

I see Corne Uys has joined sale. Anyone really concerned by that move? I must confess...im not.

[Cumbrian]

From a Falcons point of view, not bothered at all, got lots of decent cover in the centres.

But as a fan of northern rugby, Sale's double signing pisses me off. It will be most upsetting if Shepherd blocks the place of Miller, Brady or Addison. As for Uy's, he's average in the extreme, surely they could do no worse if they trust one of their kids like Mark Jennings, Jordan Davies or Will Addison?!?

[HERSH]

I think there should be a section for non Jeff teams on 606.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for grassroots rugby, but the main boards should be for the BIG boy clubs, not feeder clubs.

[Driver]

I think there should be a section for non Jeff teams on 606.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for grassroots rugby, but the main boards should be for the BIG boy clubs, not feeder clubs.

I think they should be a section for people who talk utter shiote.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Are you still joining AP game GF?

[Cumbrian]

I think there should be a section for non Jeff teams on 606.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for grassroots rugby, but the main boards should be for the BIG boy clubs, not feeder clubs.

I think they should be a section for people who talk utter shiote.

I second that motion.

[HERSH]

Cheer up Gents, it might never happen.

[Driver]

Cheer up Gents, it might never happen.

Your right , won't need one when we are back in the Premiership next season, who knows you could go shove your crap back up your arse Hersh.

[HERSH]

I want Bristol back where they belong, so sorry Falcon fans I hope you don't bounce back.

Lets be honest rugby union doesn't work in the North.

[Sgt_Pooly]

He's only looking for a bite.....ignore him. Slow day at work Hersh?

[HERSH]

No not really,

I just think that non Jeff teams should have their own section on 606v2.

[Sgt_Pooly]

It's called the club rugby section......

[Cumbrian]

No not really,

I just think that non Jeff teams should have their own section on 606v2.

Thanks for your concern, but we are happy with the arrangement as it is.

[Sponsored content]