Newcastle Falcons - We're back!! Championship winners

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: Peter Russell

Current Squad:

Forwards
Props:
Grant Shiels
Oliver Tomasczyk
Keiron Brookes
Scott Wilson

Hookers:
Matt Thompson
Rob Vickers
Scott Lawson

Second Rows:
Carlo Del Fava
Scott MacLeod
Sean Tomes
Frasier McKensie

Back Row
Ally Hogg
Will Welch
Richard Mayhew
Andy Saul
Mark Wilson
Chris York

Backs
SH's
Rory Lawson
Chris Pilgrim
Warren Fury
Mike Blair

Fh's
Joel Hodgson
Waisea Luveniyali
Rory Clegg
Phil Godman

Centres
Jamie Helleur
James Fitzpatrick
Tane Tu'ipulotu
Andrew Higgins
Alex Crocket
Michael Tait
Adam Powell
Danny Barnes - In from Munster

Wing:
Ryan Shortland
Andy Higgins
Suka Hufanga
Noah Cato

FB's:
Tom Catterick
Alex Tait

Richard Mayhew is there...but might not feature loads now...

I expect to see quite a few signings soon...

Yea Meyhew fits in that decent bracket again, is he going to help us progress...probably not.

I know we can't make massive changes but we're slowly replacing some of the dross Tait signed with quality players.

Blair & Saull point towards a bright future imo.

In Deano we trust

Absolutely mate...someone on the Unoffy has mentioned us linked with a leeds back rower...would have to be Jacob Rowan, who looked simply class..as 7/8 and captain...at 23.

Its silly season now...so it'd be interesting to see where those rumours or links have come from...but that would be interesting if it were true...

Looks like Jordi is on his way aswell....the clear out begins in ernest..

Its also interesting hearing Deanos model for success....
the pyramid..

"a small handful of world-class players at the top, a smattering of internationals beneath but the most important ingredient being the cement of the week-to-week warriors holding all the bricks in place."

I guess Blair is the start of it...

Congrats Geordie, I was watching and hoping for the win in that second game, although a lot of credit have to go to Bedford, they were very good, Falcons could do worse than look to a few of their key players and offer them premiership contracts!

For christ's sake not Jake Rowan, we really need to hang on to our star players or we'll never get out of the Championship. Go fill your bucket in someone elses well. Please!

Mate I'm not saying it's true...just silly season, you know the crack everyones linked with everyone....I want Leeds to win next season as I really like what they've started this season...

Be great having Leeds back in the AP, I really like what they're building down there. Rowan is a cracking player though

Thanks guys. It's just you know better than most how hard it is to hold onto the talent you need.

Delighted we're back, but I think a lot to do in terms of personnel ins and outs. I think we could do with a bit of an Exeter approach as well and look to get our players conditioning right up there in our first year back, and make sure our set piece is competitive. Everything else can come after, we just need a pack that's gnarly, which I think may mean another ball carrier.

I thought Bedford were excellent. If we got Rowan and gave him lots of game-time I think it would be good for him. But if not maybe he'd benefit from a season more with Leeds and hopefully coming up with them. He's probably at an age where he needs Prem experience to step up...a handy excuse for us to raid him obviously.

I'm not sure if people will completely disagree with this, but does anyone else feel like the Championship is a higher quality than a few years back. Lots of Prem academy players etc. seems to have kicked it on a bit. Still way below Prem standard but I think it's a bit more encouraging.

Not had time to visit the site for a while but just wanted to say congratulations Falcons, glad to see you back in the top flight. Hoping that you can re-establish yourself in the AP and wishing you all the best for next season. Always happy to see the clubs from the north doing well.

Well we need a 13...Danny Barnes rumoured to be coming in from Munster. Described as slick passing, pacey centre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DcP-3EvUH8BI&sa=U&ei=oZisUYDTEYWrhQfthICYCg&ved=0CDkQtwIwCg&usg=AFQjCNHEWOrLlTss14soAteFk-FlEY67LA

YEah noticed his name being mentioned...rumour seems to have been going a while so looks serious....never heard of the guy so have no idea what he's like....

I think I remember him playing in the HC, may be wrong. Looked a talent actually, the kind of thing we need in the centres, good all round skill set and a good outside break.

Read he's talking to a few clubs, us and anither 2, hopefully we might get our hands on him as we need a good 13.

We need alot Sarge...but yeah definately need our centre options upgraded...i can see a couple of Crocket, Fitzy, Higgins (more a winger) and Tane moving on.

Helleur and Hufanga look decent power centres...and defensive ones...and Powell looked ok...but we need some creativity in there...

On a side note...id get rid of Cato aswell...

I don't know if he has been injured, but he is 23/24 and has only played for Munster five times this season (including the Pro12). I don't know what sort of player he is, but I really hope that he isn't simply squad filler. We need players to genuinely improve the team, especially with some of the poor back play we saw in the playoffs.

I think he had slight issues a few years back off the field Cumbrian, the Munster fans seem to rate him but he's behind Luala whos a talent.

Yea a top winger wouldn't go a miss, somebody with a bit of power.

I was hoping we'd have heard something by now but it seems very quiet.

Im all for getting lads...who's stalled a bit in their potential and working with them to get there (Cato, Powell, Saull etc)...but i dont want the team flooded with them.

And off the field troubles...is that drink, drugs, gambling, violence / criminal behaviour?

If we're going to rehab off field troubles..then gets the best and rehab them...Kurtly Beale...Zac Guildford..etc.....

What has happened to the big lump you had at 12 in relegation season?

James Fitzpatrick....

Ah he's just not got the skill level really. Power is astonishing...but oh if he only had a bit more ability and rugby brain...

Could we do the reverse Banahan and convert him to a back five player?

He's played wing many a time for us....id probably keep him in the squad to be honest...he could be a valuable weapon with a creative playmaker around him...a wrecking ball for the last twenty mins...

Might have Falcons available on AP game GF

Danny Barnes signs

http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/m/news/story/falcons-complete-barnes-deal

HHmmm interesting move...looks like another youngster with potential thats stalled a little and that they're gonna try to bring out...

Still gotta say i dont know a thing about him...style or anything...

There can't be that many really outstanding signings available I wouldn't have thought so I guess you'll be relying heavily on development players rather than fully fledged ones. Chiefs did a pretty good job with a relatively unknown squad so if you can get a low mid table or better outcome you'll have done well.

Danny Barnes is a pretty good player, good skills and a monster crash ball.

Aitch

IF we can really get the best out of Powell, Saull, Barnes, Brookes, Clegg etc...then i wont have an issue. They have always had that potential to be quality...just hope it doesnt backfire and we get stuck with a squad of average guys who arent good enough...

But hey i trust in the coaching team...they know what they're doing....

Scored a couple of nice tries in the Magners semi 2 years ago v the Ospreys.

Touted as the next Bod, then rarely seen since.

Can't post an external link as I'm new here, but put a www before this

rabodirectpro12.com/matchcentre/7900.php

You'v got to remember that out of all these guys i think Powerz is the oldest , think he's 26?

These are going to be the core of a side which Deano wants to regurally challenge for the HC in 4 years time.

Was only a few years ago people where calling for Saull , Powell , Brookes and Clegg to be in the main england mix.

He's building a spine of a team which is key to us and we have a pretty solid scrum , lines a bit shakey but apparently they changed the calls in the last few weeks incase Leeds/Bedford had cracked them earlier on in the season.

I'd like to see us line up with this next season

15.Alex Tait
14.James Fitzpatrick
13.Adam Powell
12.Danny Barnes
11.Noah Cato

10.Phil Godman
09.Mike Blair

01.Grant Shiells
02.Scott Lawson
03.Tomahawk
04.Carlo Del Fava
05.Scott McLeod
06.Will Welch
07.Andy Saull
08.Chris York

In a season where every point matters we've got a rock solid defense and 3 guys in the back row who can steal ball for fun and Godman who was on stand by for the 09 Lions.

This season could see us finish as high as 8th and have a decent run in the LV and Europe.

Mind you if we play Fury this could all go to pot.

Very interesting side Driver..and one i do like.

However i personally would have Mark Wilson as first name on the team sheet at the moment...and let Welch and Saull fight it out for that 7 spot.

Im also not convinced York will make it...he seems so injury prone...and Hogg whilst not getting any younger has been massive this season.
We do badly need a huge carrier though...priority for the summer...

Add in McKensie who a few people have said is a real deal enforcer but with aglity ala Slater etc...yet another one who's potential hasnt quite been realised. He could go straight in to the lineup if Del Fava's injuries keep up...

For the minute id be looking at...

1 Shiels
2 Lawson
3 Tomas
4 Del Fava / McKensie
5 McLeod
6 Wilson
7 Welch / Saul
8 Hogg

9 Blair
10 Clegg
11 Shortland
12 Powell (Fitzy off the bench)
13 Barnes
14 Catterick
15 Tait

Barnes is a good solid player with a good try scoring record. A good signing I think.

We'll get shot of Fitzy I think, we need better

Apparently Fitzy is looking for a loan deal away....

Wonder if Tane and Crocket might be on their way?

I'm not surprised. Especially after we announced that the signing of a Munster lad with some decent potential, at 23. Played some Heino games, can't remember his name I think it's Barnes.

I've read that Pasqualin has left, which isn't much of a surprise either.

Yeah Jordi (London Scottish) and Steadman have both gone.

Think they'll be announcing a few more soon.

Rumours are that its Dom Barrow of leeds not Jacob Rowan that we are after...

Can we not have them both?

Will you just leave them be? Dom Barrow and Jake Rowan would be an asset for any club and I reckon both are strong contenders for International selection in the future but we need them more than you do. Players like them leave a huge gap when they leave and are not easily replaced.

Aitch, we'll give you Richard Mayhew and another in return?

Soo generous of you. Seriously, if either do head your way they will be star acquisitions.

Is barrow a back rower or second rower...he's 6'7 isnt he?

Paired with Brive in the Amlin

I think he's more a lock GF, seen him there for U20's a few times.

I'd love them both at Falcons (sorry aitchw), always good to have players other team rate though

Yeah i thought he must have been.

I agree i would love to see both of them come...Rowan would be a great addition to the back row....aswell.

But i do feel sorry for Leeds if that were to happen...we're doing exactly what we complain about...and leeds really looked impressive over the last few weeks of the season.

Brive, Calvisano and bucharest - probably the easiest draw Falcons could have had.

I bet Brive are shaking!

Crazy how you go up and you go straight in the Amlin.

I think Brive got promoted this season also?

Yes he's 2nd row and a big lad. He and Jake are playing really good rugby and very mature for their tender years, Both more than deserving of their age group outings. Big futures for both. Given Lancaster's connections up here they'll already be being watched closely I would have thought.

I wouldn't like to pick the bones out of Leeds, it's happened to us too often. I think Leeds could be strong promotion contenders in a season or so if they keep hold of their player. I want them back in the Premiership. Three strong Northern teams is the way forward to my mind.

RE: Barrow, you'll see him play for England U20's tonight against France if you watch SS3 at 5:30pm.