Newcastle Falcons - Pre Season 2014 - USE SEASON THREAD NOW

[Geordie]

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: John Wells
Defence Coach: Graham Steadman
Attack Coach: Dave Walder
 
Current Squad:
Forwards
Props: Keiron Brookes, Scott Wilson, Rob Vickers , Oliver Tomaszczyk  Eric Fry, James Hallam (On loan to London Scottish)
Hookers: Matt Thompson (On loan Darlington), Scott Lawson, George McGuigan, David Nelson, Rob Hawkins
Second Rows: Scott MacLeod, Dom Barrow, Callum Green, Kane Thompson, Josh Furno, Uili Kolo'ofai, Glen Youngs, Will Witty, Sean Robinson (On Loan to Rotherham)
Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Mark Wilson, Chris York, Dan Temm, Ben Morris (On Loan to Rotherham)
 
Backs
SH's: Warren Fury, Mike Blair, Ruki Tipuna, Andy Davies (On Loan to Rotherham)
Fh's: Rory Clegg, Phil Godman, Craig Willis
Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Jamie Helleur, Adam Powell, Danny Barnes, Gonzalo Tiesi, Andy Tuilagi, Chris Harris (On Loan to Rotherham)Wing: Alex Tuilagi, Noah Cato, Zac Kibirige, Sinoti Sinoti, Sean Brown, Tom Penny, Lee Smith
FB's: Tom Catterick, Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

[Ozzy3213]

I've got the top 5 the same as you, maybe ina different order.  Yourselves and Welsh for me are the bottom two, with them going down.  The other 5 teams I don't think there will be a great deal between and could all finish in any position between 5th and 10th.

Whilst I accept that I will always have a bias when talking about Irish I am generally pretty realistic.  Last year I called that we'd be in the scrap, but would finish 10th,  with you below us and Worcester bottom.  We are considerably stronger in the pack this year than last, and Steve Walsh coming in from Toulon has seen our fitness improve dramatically.  I am happy to be written off, but I genuinely think we will surprise a few people this year.  Having spent the day at the training ground on Thursday, there seems to be a real difference in attitude and focus this year.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Yea your pack looks a little better than last season. You've lost a world class back 3 though in JOC, Yarde and Tagi.

Time will tell I guess, we always have bias to our own side.

[Ozzy3213]

Tagicakibau was world class between 07 and 2010, but barely played for us over the past two seasons.   One of my favourite players, but I don't see him as a massive loss.  Marland and JOC of course are losses and behind a stronger pack could have been devastating. 

Time will tell I guess.  Just want the season to start now.

[Heaf]

I'm not up to speed with your recruitment Sgt - what do you see as your key signings for this season?

[Sgt_Pooly]

Not sure who'll be key Heaf but Josh Furno & Alex Tuilagi were our big name signings.

Socino could make the biggest impact though. He's a physical 12 who place kicks fantastically. He was player of the season in the Champ.

[Geordie]

I was a little disappointed after today though we split the squad in two for the two games. We still got beat in both.

We struggled in the breakdown and the fringe defence...but the full side together would hopefully be a different proposition in that area.

Socino looks a major signing...and we still had Tait and a few others not even playing.

I think we'll be quite strong.this season.

Josh Furno whilst looking a bit lightweight looks a serious handful...a disruptor who's going to cause teams all sorts of problems

[Driver]

If you do a team out of all the Irish/Welsh/Falcons players what would it even be?

1.????
2.Paice
3.Brookes
4.Barrow
5.Gough (Is he still at Irish?)
6.Furno
7.Scottish mush plays for Irish?
8.Wilson

9.Blair
10.Gereghty
11.Ojo
12.Sheridan
13.Tiesi
14.Alex
15.Homer

[Ozzy3213]

Obviously we all have bias, but I'd take either one of Geoff Cross or Halani Aulika over Brookes at tighthead, and Skivington over Barrow. Gough is no longer at Irish and wouldn't feature for me anyway, I'd have Furno at 5. Back row a bit up in the air as I don't know masses about some of your guys, but definitely Blair Cowan at 7.

Ojo isn't necessarily a guaranteed starter for us, as the wing spots look really open at Irish this year, so difficult to pick him in this side. Not much love for any of the Welsh players from either of us though, although Piri Weepu could sneak in at 9.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Brookes is much better than those two in the set piece imo so I'd go with him personally.

Not much in Skivington/Barrow at the minute I don't think. Our 7's arn't great and Wilson not a great 8.

[Ozzy3213]

Not sure Brookes is much better than Scotland's first choice tighthead to be honest.

[Sgt_Pooly]

I don't think any of the Scottish props are much cop tbh, I'd take Brookes every time.

[Ozzy3213]

Each to their own. The Scots scrum is decent though.

Just want this season to start. The off season has gone on too long. Lots of debates and arguments had about who is going to do well and who's not. I just want it to start now so we can see!!!

[Heaf]

Not seen Socino - sounds like he could be one to watch

[RDW]

Afternoon Falcons fans!

What's your thoughts for this weekend's friendly against Edinburgh? How has your pre-season been going so far?

We fronted up very well against Leicester last week - especially given the number of key injuries in our pack - but were pretty blunt in attack. I'm hoping for a much improved attacking performance on Friday.

p.s. surely Geoff Cross with his 32 Scotland caps (including more than holding his own against some of the best packs in the world) would be the best tighthead to choose from? I'm gutted he left Edinburgh!

p.p.s. why did you move your home game to Hawick??

[funnyExiledScot]

If you do a team out of all the Irish/Welsh/Falcons players what would it even be?

1.????
2.Paice
3.Brookes
4.Barrow
5.Gough (Is he still at Irish?)
6.Furno
7.Scottish mush plays for Irish?
8.Wilson

9.Blair
10.Gereghty
11.Ojo
12.Sheridan
13.Tiesi
14.Alex
15.Homer

Blair Cowan at Irish would be an option at 7. I was impressed with him in the summer tests for Scotland - a proper openside who likes to get low over the ball at the breakdown.

[Ozzy3213]

I think that's who Driver meant at 7 fEs.  Having said that he's worn 6 so far in pre season for us, although we have been more left/right with him and Treviranus as the flankers than blind/open.

[Driver]

That is who I meant Peter, impressed me in the summer

[Geordie]

Interesting on the Unoffy site i got slated for my opinon on the pitch and showing a lack of intelligence, that just becuase its this new pitch the ball was like a bar of soap so why throw the ball around...

Interesting though Dean seems to agree with what i was saying.

Everybody thought that with it being a 3G pitch they would be able to play as much rugby as they wanted, but people tend to forget how slippy the ball can be in torrential rain. On occasions if it is tipping it down you have got to play the game down in their half.

“We talked about playing with a little bit of tempo, but understanding how to put tempo onto the ball is a slightly different thing. Quick tap penalties are not always what is wanted, and it is the ability to be able to raise the pace of the game.

[Ozzy3213]

Have you Falcons fans seen this?

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9441490,00.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rugbyrightnow%2Fplanetrugby+%28Planet+Rugby+%7C+Rugby+Union+News%29

[Geordie]

Yeah Ozzy, club sources say this has been known for quite a long time and he is on bail. No delay is expected further and he is due here this week I believe.

[Ozzy3213]

Has to be disruptive to his and by extension team preparation though.

[Geordie]

Ah yeah cant deny that

[George Carlin]

Edinburgh team announced, Geordie:

15 Jack Cuthbert
14 Dougie Fife
13 Sam Beard
12 Andries Strauss
11 Tim Visser
10 Greig Tonks
9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

1 Rory Sutherland
2 Ross Ford CAPTAIN
3 John Andress
4 Fraser McKenzie
5 Ollie Atkins
6 Tomas Leonardi
7 Hamish Watson
8 Cornell Du Preez

Substitutes
16 James Hilterbrand
17 Alasdair Dickinson
18 Simon Berghan
19 Ben Toolis
20 Alex Toolis
21 Jamie Ritchie
22 Sean Kennedy
23 Grayson Hart
24 Tom Heathcote
25 Phil Burleigh
26 Joaquin Dominguez
27 Nick McLennan

It's actually fairly strong, despite a lot of injuries to the forwards.

[Geordie]

Is Watson the lad who was MOM v Leicester? Aparently he was class.

Fraser McKenzie is actually still on our books...i didnt realise that.

Falcons Team

1 Vickers
2 McGuigan
3 Tomaszczyk
4 Green
5 Barrow
6 Wilson
7 Welch
8 Hogg

9 Blair
10 Socino
11 Catterick
12 Powell
13 Barnes
14 Cato
15 Hammersley

Replacements: Eric Fry, Scott Lawson, Scott Wilson, Josh Furno, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Ruki Tipuna, Phil Godman, Jamie Helleur, Alex Tuilagi, Andy Tuilagi

[George Carlin]

Is Watson the lad who was MOM v Leicester? Aparently he was class.

Fraser McKenzie is actually still on our books...i didnt realise that.

Falcons Team

1 Vickers
2 McGuigan
3 Tomaszczyk
4 Green
5 Barrow
6 Wilson
7 Welch
8 Hogg

9 Blair
10 Socino
11 Catterick
12 Powell
13 Barnes
14 Cato
15 Hammersley

Replacements: Eric Fry, Scott Lawson, Scott Wilson, Josh Furno, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Ruki Tipuna, Phil Godman, Jamie Helleur, Alex Tuilagi, Andy Tuilagi

Yes, young Hamish Watson is getting a chance because of injuries to Roddy Grant and the departure of Rennie to Bristol. He certainly showed up against the Tigers and will love it that he's getting another chance as a first team starter.

It's a good looking Falcons team - let's see how they go.

Which Tualagi was it who tw@tted someone the other week and got a censure?

[Sgt_Pooly]

Is this Friday? What time?

[Sgt_Pooly]

Well I decided not to go up but sounded like a decent game.

Apparently our set piece went really well and we looked good in attack. Glad Green/Barrow got a run out, they could be some combo in a few years.

[Geordie]

Well we're still waiting for our first win in 9 months or so...couldn't beat Rotherham, Bayonne, Doncaster or Edinburgh....and next trip is to Welford Road....wonderful.

[Welly]

Any ideas on your 1st XV atm.

 Ours looks like so far.

 1) Mulipola
 2) Ghiraldini
 3) Balmain
 4) Parling/De Cheves
 5) Kitchener
 6) Croft/Barbieri
 7) Salvi
 8) Barbieri/Crane
 9) Youngs
10) Burns
11) Goneva
12) Allen
13) Tualigi
14) Scully
15) Morris

16) Youngs/Briggs
17) Bristow
18) Pasquali
19) De Cheves/Wells
20) Crane/Gibson
21) Mele
22) Williams/Bai
23) Tait/Smith

 Parling and croft had knocks last week but believe they will be fit.

 Youngs don't know his status.

[Driver]

No slater?

[Sgt_Pooly]

No idea what we'll put out, there's been no continuity in pre season

[Welly]

No slater?

 Out for September, hasn't played any pre-season games.

[Geordie]

No idea what we'll put out, there's been no continuity in pre season

Yes there has Sgt....LOSING!

Why hasnt Dean put out his strongest side? Sometimes he baffles me.

I would say our starting team will be...

1 Vickers
2 McGuigan
3 Brookes
4 Barrow
5 Furno
6 M.Wilson
7 Welch
8 Hogg

9 Blair
10 Socino
11 Sinoti
12 Helleur
13 Powell
14 Cato / Brown / Tuilagi (off the bench - very rusty)
15 Hammersley

[dragon4life]

Is Teisi injured?

[Sgt_Pooly]

I'm unsure Dragon, the club don't really keep us updated.

If you have 10 of those right you'll have done well GF, I have nop idea how we're going to line up. I'd just like to see us settle on a team for a few games, especially in the backline.

[Geordie]

Well thats the thing Sgt isnt it.

Im all for a little bit of rotation now and again...keep players fresh however you also need to play a core 10/12 players consistently to build some knowledge of each others games and familiarity...especially in things like the breakdown where we are appalling.

Yet Dean just chops and changes constantly...

[Cumbrian]

Okay I’m psyching myself up, slapping my head and chest and trying to get excited for the new season, can anybody suggest a reason to be positive (Other than The Oxford Nondescripts being a little worse than us)? Please?

We've brought in some quality, right? Deano must have a plan be by now, right? The new pitch looks lovely, doesn't it?

[Sgt_Pooly]

Erm.....Furno, Thompson and Kolo could really good?

With all 3 big lads playing a possible:

1. Vickers
2. Hawkins
3. Brookes
4. Kolo
5. Barrow
6. Furno
7. Wilson
8. Thompson

That would be a big pack to put out..

[Driver]

They do say the grass is greener on the other side , shame we don't have any grass to begin with.....

Eric Fry has impressed in pre-season by all accounts , think he might start at 1.

I'd roll out with

1.Vickers
2.Hawkins
3.Brookes
4.Kolo'ofia
5.Barrrow
6.Furno
7.Saull
8.Thompson

9.Blair (c)
10.Clegg
11.Alex Tuilagi
12.Jamie Huellar
13.Gonzalo Tiesi
14.Sinoti Sinoti
15.Lee Smith (Need someone with a kicking game other than Clegg)

[Sgt_Pooly]

Good pack Driver!

Socino has to start, he's a cert at 10/12. Apparently he was good against Edinburgh

[Cumbrian]

That made me feel... a little better!

I suppose there is a bit of depth in the pack as well.

Aside from loosehead that is. Vickers doesn't fill me with confidence as first choice and if he picks up an injury early on, the back up of Fry and Gary Strain is quite frightening.

[Driver]

Sorry i'd pick Socks at 10. 

But what do i know

[Geordie]

Driver...Eric Fry is an appalling excuse for a LH. I was at the Rotherham game and was mightly confused how he was an International Prop.

Yes reasons to be positive.

We have aquired some very Shrewd players...Kolo'ullais a big boy in the back row...Kane Thompson is a key player for the Chiefs in the last two years they've won the S14, however he is recovering from injury

Furno looks like a crazed demented banshee / headless chicken combo...but i like that and it will scare the sh*&e out of the opposition. He is endless motion.

The Tuilagis at least will give us some power in there to combine with Powell and Tiesi.

Socino looks absolutely class...and ive been swayed that he is more than capable of being our 10.

The youngsters look very impressive - McGuigan will start v Leicester, as i suspect will Hammersley who has been a revelation at 15. Add in Brookes, Scotty Wilson etc and things are very positive indeed.

Oh and i can see young Dan Temm getting some gametime...hes a young kiwi 7...a proper traditional Kiwi 7 as opposed to our Welch and Saull...who are...erm...NOT.

Mark Wilson is just a class act in the back row.

And dont forget Sinoti

Lots of positives...but lots to work on to realise the potential...

[Geordie]

With Tait, Tiesi, Barrow, Kane Thompson injured my team for Leicester:

1 Vickers
2 McGuigan
3 Brookes
4 Kolo'ufai
5 Furno
6 M.Wilson
7 Welch
8 Hogg

9 Blair
10 Socino

11 Alex Tuilagi
12 Helleur
13 Powell
14 Sinoti
15 Hammersley

16 Mayhew Fry 17 Lawson 18 S.Wilson 19 Green 20 Tipuna 21 Clegg 22 Brown 23 L.Smith

Brookes can cover LH as i just dont rate Fry at all and id have an extra back rower in Mayhew.Edits made...

[Sgt_Pooly]

It's a requirement for 2 props on the bench GF

[Geordie]

Well Mayhew can do a better job so can we say he;s a prop...

[Sgt_Pooly]

Haha, I don't think we'd get away with that.

[Geordie]

Bugger...though it wont matter as i think we'll get taught a lesson down there...

[Driver]

I'm free this Saturday , Seaton can take on Darlington without me!

[Geordie]

Your in Driver...get yer boots cleaned!

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