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

I did like Tui.

As much as our 10's have been poor I wouldn't want Gopperth back.

He's been wicked for Leinster!

I think we should go all out and go for a top top 10 and a meathead at 6.

Could fit with Deano's plan.

I really can't think of a 10 who's available and quality.

Jimmy has him limitations, the Rabo is a breeze really.

Feeling more confident after seeing the Gloucester line up

Got to feel for Worcester, they deserved the win.

11-6 up at 80mins and they end up losing.

That's 10pts clear with 5 games left.

If we get a win tomorrow we stay up.

Hard lines for them indeed. But great for us.

Well.....what to make of that?

Some comeback at the end, 40-33 and 2 bonus points. Takes us a point further away from Wuss and 12pts.

Three tries in ten minutes according the the Prem rugby website, sounds like an odd game! Take it all the same though!

Hodgson sets up 3.....

Hodgson...is that the 24 year old?

We're looking safer and nice to see points scored...bit next season if we stay up we can't afford to be losing so.many....

I don't know if he actually set them up by the way but he was on the pitch and Godman wasn't so its a moral victory.

Big debate on the unoffy about Hodgson.

He made a massive impact this weekend when he came on. Should he start v Wuss?

Likewise should Scott Wilson and Mcguigan start?

I'd start Hodgson & Lee Smith for places kicking.

I still think the youngsters are better from the bench, McGuigan's throwing isn't quite there yet but he certainly can carry.

Godman is awful, should not play.

However do not read too much into the "comeback". Sounds like Glaws stopped playing as well as Falcons having fresh impetus.

Knowing Deano he will go safety first next week against Wuss.

Yeah...i think Dean needs to accept that Godman is just not good enough...simple as that.

Clegg...well has his moments.

McGuigan looks a immense at times for such a young lad. Ireland have a hell of player coming through for them.

So Scott McCleod signed a new contract extension...and with Scott Wilson and Barrow also extending theirs its looking good.

By all accounts another few announcements in the next hour

I must admit I'm a believer in the Deano dream.

There are too many on the unoffy site wanting us to be top 6 as of yesterday, just not going to happen, we have to dream small dreams for a couple of seasons.

I'm much re-assured by that Deano quote from the BBC

"We have a huge amount of youngsters coming through so I am pleased with that. You don't want to expose them too much too soon but there is no doubt about it, the boys will have a big future in the game."

I just hope the 'big future' is for us and not the likes of Tigers.

Tiesi and Matt Thompson re-sign aswell.

I dont think we'll be losing players now Trail...Dean is a massive pull and i think the youngsters seem to believe in what they are doing.

I think its clear we have a cracking bunch of players coming through...and as ive expressed on the unoffy many times now, dont expect a raft of new signings. There may be a few but we have some good experienced players like Hogg, Blair etc...and Dean will really work with the youngsters.

Dont forget even "senior" players like Mark Wilson is only 24, Brookes probably the same...add in Scott Wilson, George McGuigan who has Lawson as a senior mentor, Harrison Collins, Penny, Kibirige, Sean Brown etc etc and there are players coming through nicely.

Zach is now out with a broken leg...

Ruaridh Jackson will be looking for a club this summer and I think that the Falcons would do well to ditch Good and take Jackson instead. There are weaknesses to his game to be sure but 23 caps at his age isn't at all bad and he can certainly get a backline moving.

Godman just needs to be let go in the summer...he's not a premiership player.

The player all falcons fans want to see have a proper run out is Hodgson...he is a George Ford type player...very slight in physique but creative and has that spark. Dean Richards so far however doesnt appear to be a fan...unless he's just not rushing the lad.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Zach is now out with a broken leg...

What terrible timing! Poor lad.

Jackson isn't too bad, I'd take him on but I'd like better

GeordieFalcon wrote:Zach is now out with a broken leg...

I really thought he could shine in the JWC. Real shame.

Yeah its a blow, but hopefully he can come back fit and firing and take the league by storm next season.

Rumours about that Leeds lock Callum Green is on his way to KP to join his old buddy Dom Barrow.

[size=14.666666984558105]Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi (c), 12 Danny Barnes, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Warren Fury, 1 Rob Vickers, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 4 Scott MacLeod, 5 Fraser McKenzie, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Andy Saull, 8 Chris York[/size]
[size=14.666666984558105]Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Gary Strain, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Sean Tomes, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Mike Blair, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 James Fitzpatrick[/size]

Whats your thoughts Driver?

9 and 10 are once again ...shockingly bad.

Glad Mark Wilson is back and Sinoti (if he's fit). Barnes hasnt impressed me hugely this season.

Im actually expecting to get get beat this weekend

From 11-15 , I'm quite happy. Fury hasn't had a bad season but why woulld you drink Carling when you'v got Stella in the fridge?

Glad to see Chris York at 8 , in terms of skills he's our best back row. Just needs to nail down a position.

Fury has been dreadful all year.....why???

Seems like he's been rewarded for game last week yet Hodgson is on the bench.

I like the side bar half backs and I'd swap Powell in at 12

Dean Richards selections at times are baffling, but then with a total lack of any kind of communication we dont know if its down to injuries or what?

What's happened to Lee Smith? I really liked the look of him although good to see Sinoti back

Thats the question Sarge.

Total silence...we dont know who's been dropped, whos squad rotation, who's injured...its a little frustrating....

I think Blair might be a wee bit injured. 

Wonder if Hodgson is happy at the club? If he wanted to stay would he of went down to Rotherham and played when he could of played 10 for the A team and kicked on?

See we've signed Ruki Tipuna from Bristol. Top signing imo, good sniping 9 with plenty of pace around the breakdown, 100% better than bloody Fury

Catterick is so bad, how is he still on the books?

We can't protect the breakdown.....agghhhhh

I'v just kicked my front room table in rage.

Basic, execution, simple things......it's truly awful. We've totally dominated this and have nothing to show except dropped balls and getting turned over.

Not a great result....pah...

Any thoughts on thesigning of Bristol SH Ruki Tipuna?

Quality GF, I think he'll be a huge step up on our current back ups.

See Sinoti has signed for 2 seasons also, really good news.

Yeah sinoti is a good one mate.

Glad to hear that about the SH mate. Maybe the signings will start to come

I've seen him a few times and he's excellent. Swift delivery and a real threat around the fringes, he'll compliment Blair well as very different players.

We just the 10 to go with him

Riki Tupiani is a great signing , I signed him on your old AP game Pooly and no has heard of him!

A new 10 is a must!

Few Percy Park boys in the U16s GF

Pooly there is someone from St.Hilds in!!!!!!!!

Falcons Under-16s Squad:

1 Scott Merrin (Netherhall School, Workington Zebras RFC, Cumbria) 2 Jamie Blamire (Stainburn School, Workington Zebras RFC, Cumbria) 3 Adam Mohammed (Gosforth Academy, Northern RFC, Northumberland) 4 Cory Wilkinson (Trinity School, Carlisle RFC, Cumbria) 5 Richard Marr (West Lakes College, Egremont RFC, Cumbria) 6 Connor Beswick (Ponteland High School, Ponteland RFC, Northumberland) 7 Will Burns (Durham School, Driffield RFC, Yorkshire) 8 Lewis Roxby (Ian Ramsay School, Billingham RFC, Durham) 9 Charlie Gowling (Sedbergh School, Cumbria) 10 Charlie Scott (Durham School, Northern RFC, Northumberland) 11 Garry Izomor (Durham School, Durham City RFC, Durham) 12 Tom Collins (Marden High School, Percy Park RFC, Northumberland) 13 Ben Stevenson (Yarm School, Middlesbrough RFC, Durham) 14 Connor Stewart (Whitley Bay High School, Percy Park RFC, Northumberland) 15 Ryan Foreman (St Hilds School, Billingham RFC, Durham)

16 Dan Brown (KEVI Morpeth TBC, Alnwick RFC, Northumberland) 17 Leon Van Zenfleet (Whitley Bay High School, Percy Park RFC, Northumberland) 18 Alex Hayton (Cramlington Learning Village, Novocastrians RFC, Northumberland) 19 Isaac Brace (Barnard Castle School, Billingham RFC, Durham) 20 Jamie Preston (Barnard Castle School, Westoe RFC, Durham) 21 Matty Wilson (Durham School, Malton and Norton RFC, Yorkshire) 22 Henry Wilson (RGS Newcastle, Northumberland) 23 Jamie Wrigley (Kings Priory School, Percy Park RFC, Northumberland)

Had to be a Foreman Driver

Playing for Hartlepool BBOB now , fell right down.

Yeah Percy Park are absolutely flying at the moment...firsts doing brilliantly which in turn creates improvements down the line.

Great to see.

As for the falcons....SURELY we have been sorting out a 10! I cant bare another season with Godman at the helm!!!

Michael Stephenson still playing for yous?