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

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Noah Cato, 14 Tom Catterick, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Chris Pilgrim, 1 Rob Vickers, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 5 Scott MacLeod, 6 Will Welch (c), 7 Andy Saull, 8 Chris York

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 James Hallam, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Sean Tomes, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Phil Godman, 23 Adam Powell

Yeah driver...Joel and Mike Blair both on medical bans...they were concussed last week so cant play this week.

Fitzy gets another chance...is he the answer at 12? For all his power he has very limited rugby skills.

He'd be such a better wing!

I think he'd have been a better flanker...powerhouse, who can carry the hard yards...

The team just doesnt inspire though dose it?

2-8 i'm quite happy with , Thought Chris was one of our better players last week. Does a lot of hard work on the deck and in rucks. Wonder how much longer Welchy will continue at 7 above Andy? 

Been in great form when he's played lately.

Ah mate...ive given up trying to work out what Dean is doing...from one week to the next...

Welch and Saull starting tomorrow night...

Vickers..well that says it all really when you have Montanella and Shiels in your squad???!!! 

I'm starting to think he doesn't want to play Shiells incase someone trys to snap him up?

I just dont know what to think.

Maybe he just doesnt rate the lad. It would appear he doesnt rate Hodgson, and a few others...

Vickers has done ok...but he's not setting the world alight either...he's certainly not as good as Shiels or Montanella...in my eyes anyway.

Just catching up on the Brive game.

Really impressed with Hodgson. His kicking and general game is so much better than Godman's. He's constantly looking for the break and is really assured.

He's let down by the players at 9/12. Fury is ok but he knocks on too much and makes odd calls to kick.

Fitzy is an honest pro but just not good enough at this level. He's the default ball and we don't seem to be able to use him as a decoy.

9. Blair
10. Hodgson
12. Powell/Heuller
13. Tiesi/Barnes

Has to be the backline moving forward. I'd possibly look at keeping Catterick in and give him the longer range kicks.

Other positives are line out service was better than anything I've seen all season. Very crisp but the backs just couldn't click to take advantage.

Despite the defeat I'd be pretty happy with Hodgson given a good stretch of games, boy has talent.

I think your right mate...

I dont rate Fury at all however...the guy needs to be shipped in the summer. Surely we have a young academy SH thats better than him...and Pilgrim hasnt showed the form i thought he could reach either.

Ive backed fitzy loads...but im afraid i have to agree ...he's just not good enough. All the power in the world cant hide the fact he's a mid table championship player...at best. Maybe he should have been a flanker...

Im a big fan of Catterick...i always thought he'd make a great 10. For now...maybe focus him on the wing..he's got pace, a decent runner etc...Tait is consitant...though im still not convinced he's our answer at 15 either.

Hodgson is the dilema. I would just play him every game now until the end. He's got much more to offer than either of Godman or Clegg...yet something is stopping Dean from doing that.

The one thing i will say is that we have some cracking youngsters coming through...and hopefully some of them can push on next season.

But that doesnt hide the fact we need one or two top class signings.

Our pack is good though...but still cant work out this Vickers thing...

9 Blair
10 Hodgson
11 Sinoti
12 Helluer
13 Barnes
14 Catterick / Shortland
15 Tait

When I see Ford I don't see Hodgson as too dissimilar.

Both are intelligent players who look for gap. What Ford has is a better backline to work with and a slightly better kicking game. I don't see why Hodgson couldn't develop into a very good 10 given the opportunity and players to work with.

Flanks are interesting, I'd look to go Wilson/Saull at the minute, Wilson looks like he's put some weight on and has always made yards

Wilson is my favorite back rower at the club. I would start him at 6 every day of the week....but I always said to go to the next level he needed to bulk up . He does look like he has a bit...

I still think we are missing a destructive carrier in the pack...

Saull v Welch is going to be a good battle.

Can we move Fitzy to flanker...that would suit him better...

I think we should move Fitzy to another club!

Yea we certainly need a big carrying 8 to allow us to mix it up.

I'd be pretty happy with a new 10 and keeping Hodgson & maybe Clegg. Or possibly losing Clegg and getting a 10/12.

I'd lose Clegg and Godman, 

Luke Wilson in the youth set up is a tidy player from Billingham and Hartlepool 6th form. Plays the ball really well from 12 and can take it up.

Ultimately i think theres a few players that need to be shipped out now. 

And looking to the future....aparently young Harris is a powerful 12 but has alot more ability ball in hand. Likewise Penny a young winger is also a very strong goalkicker...then the obvious ones...Kibirige, Sean Brown, Hammersley etc etc (all who've already had exposure of some form in the 1st team this season ) are ones to look forward to coming through.

I think Sean Brown could break into the side next season. Played a fair bit in pre-season this year.

Looking at the current squad  the following should be let go...replaced by academy or improved players from outside the club.

Props: Grant Shiels, Oliver Tomasczyk, Keiron Brookes, Scott Wilson, Jeff Hallam, Franck Montanella, Rob Vickers (Converted Hooker) - All Fine...
 
Hookers: Matt Thompson - Probably time to go with David Nelson coming through as well as McGuigan, Scott Lawson, George McGuigan, David Nelson
 
Second Rows: Carlo Del Fava, Scott MacLeod - Too old, Sean Tomes - Championship player, Frasier McKensie, Dom Barrow, Will Witty
 
Back Row:Ally Hogg - Time to replace with monster carrier, Will Welch, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Mark Wilson, Chris York, Ben Morris, Harrison Collins
 
Backs
SH's: Chris Pilgrim, Warren Fury, Mike Blair - Only Blair is any good...the rest are woeful
 
Fh's: Joel Hodgson, Rory Clegg, Phil Godman - Both need to go...not good enough
 
Centres: Jamie Helleur, James Fitzpatrick, Alex Crocket, Michael Tait, Adam Powell, Danny Barnes, Tiesi (Loan till end of season), Chris Harris- Fitzy and Crocket need to go...and Powell needs to show his early Sarries promise
 
Wing: Ryan Shortland, Noah Cato, Sean Brown, Zac Kibirige, Tom Penny, Sinoti (Loan till end of season) - Cato needs to be shipped out, and Ryan Shortland needs to be  truly assessed...
 
FB's: Tom Catterick, Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley,

My squad which i would keep would be

Sheills , Mont , Hallem , Tomas , Brookes , Scotty

Lawson , McGuigan , Nelson , New signing to cover internationals)

Del Fava , McKenzie , Borrow , New Signing

Wilson , York , Saull , Welchy , Collins , 2x New Signings.

Blair , New Signing (I'd take Will Chudley back)

Hodgson , 1x New signing 

Hueller , Powell , Barnes , Crockett

Shortland , Brown , Kibirige , Penny , x1 Experience winger

Catty , Tait , Hammersley


Intrestingly Josh Bragman who i know was told he'd never be a 10 as long as he has a hole in his arse by Hartlepool Rovers has just agreed to move to South Africa and join Natal Sharks after impressing them whilst playing for HSFC over there.

Missed out there.

Well its clear we all think there needs to be a bit of a clear out   

Do you think Deans tactics of signing players who havent quite made it at other clubs for whatever reason has failed a bit...

Clegg, Powell, Cato, Saull....have any really make a big impact...i dont think so.

Only young Barrow has made a big impact...but then he looks a genuine real deal quality player...

I'd say Saull has. Been a better play than Welchy has this season.

Some of them lads just need coaching , everything is there but needs straightening out.

http://www.espn.co.uk/france-top-14-2013-14/rugby/story/211145.html


Be a cracking signing if Deano pulls this one off.

God I hope not.

He's never done anything away from Bath, all he can do is goal kick.

Yeah they've been discussing this on the unoffy.

Personally if he showed his Bath form...then yes id take him...alas...everywhere but Bath he's been pretty poor.
He also has an attitude problem. And im sure he wont be cheap.

If we've got money to spend on a FH...i'd hope we could source a better one...

He's would come with baggage too, there have been incidents involving booze in the past.

Scotty Wilson named in the Saxons!!

That's impressive, will do wonders for him. Is Brookes still there? He's a class above Wilson currently

Brookes isn't in, Think it leaves us short at 3 so England only took 1.

Surprised Wilson is in ahead of Brookes, maybe they're just taking a look at him.

Great for Scott, but people at all levels really need to get their head out of their @rses and recognise Brookes for the prospect he is. If anyone can work on his technique and 80 min fitness he is an international player in the making, I'm sure of it. Should be developed as the next England TH IMO.

I really don't want Barkley, the most overrated player I can remember. People used to rave about his completely non-existent running game.

I would be overly bothered if he signed till the end of the season but I think we need to focus on a new 10 for next season.

Brookes has been in and around the Saxons for a long time, bizarre that he gets dropped when he's playing regular high quality rugby.

I'd take Barkley over Godman and Clegg.

Think Wilson is a move to stop the Scots getting.him aswell mind.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Think Wilson is a move to stop the Scots getting.him aswell mind.

And we're quite peed off about it.

You shouldn't be George.

He's represented England at U18/20 and he has been developed by an English club. Seems only logical he'd move on to the next level with us.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:You shouldn't be George.

He's represented England at U18/20 and he has been developed by an English club. Seems only logical he'd move on to the next level with us.

Impossible to tell Pooly - everyone is different. Young Tommy Allan played rugby for Scotland at every age grade, including Scotland A and he decided three months ago to do what his mum did and play rugby for Italy instead. Nowt as queer as folks.

Allen was an odd one, I guess the lure of Int rugby can do odd things to young lads.

Wilson is a fair off Int rugby, I'm pretty sure he'll develop into a top TH though.

Allen looks class as well. Be a big player for Italy in the 6Ns.

Driver wrote:Allen looks class as well. Be a big player for Italy in the 6Ns.

He is.  We were all gutted.

To be fair to the lad, he has spoken freely about the fact that he may well have chosen Scotland were either Glasgow or Edinburgh to have offered him terms last year. But nobody did, which is absolutely criminal given the pile of old scrote that we've had to watch from Scott Wight at Glasgow and Piers Francis at Edinburgh, neither of whom will ever pull on the thistle.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Allen was an odd one, I guess the lure of Int rugby can do odd things to young lads.

Wilson is a fair off Int rugby, I'm pretty sure he'll develop into a top TH though.

Yes, however he's in the Saxons.

Davy Wilson is injured, Collier went off for quins at the weekend...that leaves Cole and Scott as TH's in both squads. Obviously they'll call someone up as i wouldnt think Scott is ready for 6n rugby...Brookes would be better at the moment.

Also just noticed on the unoffy...that Saracens play Natal in a friendly the day before they play us in the league...

I appreciate they have a big squad...but i guess it shows how unremotely bothered they are of us...!

Driver Dan Temm is a young kiwi 7. Signed him a few months back from one of the championship teams...supposed to be pretty decent prospect.

Some very interesting selections there. Ben Morris getting his senior start...

Thats one hell of a physical front row.

And on the bench...Nelson another young powerful hooker...Glen Young the 19 yo Second Row...Will Witty the England u18 second row...|Tom Penny the winger who is the kicker aswell..

EDit: Hammersley at 15 aswell...cracking player!

Very interesting!

I like some of these better than his usual 1st team!!!

Some great prospects for both teams, nice to see the youngsters getting game time

I've not seen him play, but David Nelson looks a big physical player. I'd like to see how he gets on.

I know it's a hypothetical but I'm worried that McGuigan is going to get snapped up by one of the Irish provinces. I know he was born in England, but I've read a lot of his family are in Ireland and it is a possibility that he'll go over.

Cumbrian wrote:I've not seen him play,  but David Nelson looks a big physical player.  I'd like to see how he gets on.

I know it's a hypothetical but I'm worried that McGuigan is going to get snapped up by one of the Irish provinces.  I know he was born in England,  but I've read a lot of his family are in Ireland and it is a possibility that he'll go over.

Has McGuigan really been in that good of form? He hasn't been starting too many of the AP games. The provinces are well stacked with hookers for now so I'd expect him to stay with you guys for the next couple years at least but he could definitely be option for one of the provinces in the future if his form improves further.

McGuigan is only a young lad himself...but he has represented Ireland u20's I think it was...or un18's?

He has been managed closely by Dean Richards mostly playing LV or Euro games...but in the recent game v Brive he was man of the match...which is a good showing. Lawson is the senior hooker at the club and he is quality. McGuigan said he is learning a lot of him.

Leinster are a ig club and huge pull especially if he elects to play for Ireland...which I suspect he will...but I would like to think we'll be a whole different proposition on the field in a few years time.
Nelson is another that looks a right prospect at hooker aswell...

Are the provinces that well stocked at hooker? Ulster have Best who isn't getting any younger and have resorted to signing Bok with Irish family. Leinster and Munster are well stocked but Connacht could do with reinforcement as ever.

I see no el Mahdi in the Newcastle squad, has he not progressed any since the JP7s?

Like I said he could be option in a couple of years but for now the provinces are very well stacked.

Leinster have Cronin, Strauss and Dundon which is great depth to have at hooker.

Munster have Sherry, Varley, Casey and the ex Ireland u20 captain Scannell.

Connacht have Jason Harris Wright, Sean Henry and are developing James Rael.

Ulster have Best, Herring and are developing Annett.

Sam, heard absolutely nothing about El Mahdi...not in the development..not sure if hes even at the "feeder"clubs Tynedale or Blaydon. Curious one. Especially when our wingers are ...well lets just say our hope is in young Zac Kibirige whos barely out of school .

Would the tigers have let him go if he was that good though.