Newcastle Falcons Season 2014/2015 - Closed, use new one.

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UPDATED FOR 2015 / 2016

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: John Wells
Defence Coach: Graham Steadman
Attack Coach: Dave Walder

Current Squad (A= Academy):
Forwards
Props: Taione Vea, Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Ben Harris, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry,

Hookers: Scott Lawson, George McGuigan, Rob Hawkins,
David Nelson (A)

Second Rows: Dom Barrow, Callum Green, Kane Thompson, Josh Furno,
Glen Youngs (A), Will Witty (A), Sean Robinson (A), Harry Snowdon (A),

Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Richard Mayhew, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Uili Kolo'ofai, Dan Temm,
Brian Tuilagi (A), Joe Craggs (A), Calum Chick (A)

Backs
SH's: Sonatane Tukulua, Ruki Tipuna, Micky Young,
Dan Taylor (A),  Ruaridh Dawson (A)

Fh's: Tom Catterick, Mike Delaney,
Craig Willis (A), Brett Connon (A)

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Adam Powell, Gonzalo Tiesi, Andy Tuilagi, Chris Harris ,
Adam Redman centre (A), Tom Penny (A)

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Alex Tuilagi, Giovanbattista Venditti, Marcus Watson, Zac Kibirige,
Dan Marshall (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

Contracts yet to be agreed:
Oliver Tomaschyk
Scott MacLeod
Warren Fury
Jamie Helleur
Noah Cato
Rory Clegg - Going to Australia

Yeah i read that before Ozzy.

In all honesty i dont think the Falcons fans actually want him to spend his way out of trouble. We appreciate working with what we have, some decent signings in the summer and an academy thats about to burst with talent...Hammersley is just the beginning.

His vision is to have a team made up mostly from academy graduates...and everyone buys into that. Players like Hammersley, Kibirige, Scotty Wilson, Brookes, Sean Brown, McGuigan etc...mixed with 2-3 top class foreigners. We would love to see them representing us.

BUT what we are questioning is what ive raised on here.

Play the strongest side every week. Dont have this circus of puzzling changes every week...with no communication as to why??

Why is our breakdown so bad. Is it John Wells influence.

Whilst not spending our way out of trouble...you need to address major areas. IE FH is one of the most crucial areas on the pitch yet Dean has persisted with two players who are barely championship standard at their best. Why has he not signed a class FH.
In fact he may have now...it may be that Socino has been brought in for that but is being eased in to the position.

The same could be said at loosehead prop. Vickers converted from Hooker and was outstanding...but we lost Shiells to Bath. Vickers has since been injured and that leaves us with Fry, Rogers and i think Irving...all of whom are players who are "work in progress" rather than ready for this level...i believe.

Dean is working on the belief he can make these players better to make the level required...again most Falcons will buy in to this....and whilst we appreciate what hes trying to do is a slow process....ultimately we want to see a couple of results to keep us safe rather than relying on others to keep us up.

Everything I read from Richards I like.

The problem is on the pitch, it's bordering shocking at times.

Thats the problem Sgt. I dont think we have bad players...im just wondering about the coaches.

Walder has come in and in a few games we are better rugby than the whole of last season under Russel.

Maybe we need to ship out Mr Wells...and get an up to date modern forwards coach in.

I think it's easy to underestimate the impact of having a top back room set up.  Our coaching set up in the past few years has been seriously lacking, and it showed as back play regressed alarmingly.  From being a cracking attacking outfit from about 2007 to 2010 we slipped so far back that it was painful to watch in last two seasons, even with players like O'Connor and Yarde in the back line.  

That has been the most significant change at the club over the summer.  The additions of Steve Walsh and Mark Tainton to the coaching staff, along with Glen Delaney spending time out in New Zealand with the All Blacks seems to have brought about a real shift in emphasis for us.  The game on Saturday was best attacking performance from the team for about 5 years.  Defensively there were plenty of work ons, but there has been definite progress.

Who else is on your coaching staff?

Well what team do you want to see against Wasps.

Big debates for me....Socino must move to 10.
Welch or Saull at 7. Welch isnt pulling up trees to warrant his place.
Is Aly Hogg still our best 8?

I'd like to see:

10. Socino 12. A Tuilagi 13. Tiesi

Welch has carried well and is a real workhorse but I think Saull may suit our style a little better with his pace and link play. We seem to miss that link between forwards and backs so he could be a key player.

Hogg has looked well off the pace so far, I wonder how long the new guys are away from playing?

I think you're thinking along the same lines as me Sgt.

Ill be interested to see this kane Thompson....and how long is Kolo'fai out for.

I appreciate its the 'A' league but Andy Tuilagi has been impressive in his directness. He's not the most skilled...but he always makes yards...and i think thats something we lack at the moment. A huge carrier...to get us over the gainline.

Mind Helluer has been looking good aswell....a defensive rock!

How about something like:
1 Brookes (Until Vickers is fit)
2 McGuigan
3 Scott Wilson
4 Barrow
5 Green
6 Furno
7 Saull
8 Mark Wilson

9 Blair
10 Socino
11 Sinoti
12 Andy Tuilagi
13 Tiesi
14 Alex Tait
15 Hammersley

That backline looks good, I'd be happy to see it get an outing.

McGuigan's throwing is pretty awful, I do rate the lad and his impact off the bench is good but I just can't see him starting yet. I wonder whats happened to York? He had a good run last season and is another who has pace and can carry.

Perhaps when the new guys finally get fit we might have a better unit.

4. Kolo
5. Barrow
6. Furno
7. Saull/Welch
8. Thompson

I agree about McGuigans throwing...but Lawsons has been lately aswell...well the lineout has been a shambles let say that. And i just think everywhere else McGuigan has the edge over Lawson.
What about Hawkins maybe?

That back 5 looks pretty good.

We just have to watch for the number of foreigners in the side.

I know, it's easy writing out sides but I never really consider the foregn element.

I'd suprised we've seen so little of Hawkins, I thought he'd be first choice tbh. No idea what's happened to the line out, it went really well against Irish, perhaps they didn't put much pressure on whilst Saints did.

We dont really have a lineout specialist pooly. Whilst we seem ok at securing our own ball with skiv, leo, narraway and guest, none ever pinch opposition ball.

Falcons Team for Wasps

I like the look of the backs....lets hope we actually start from the first whistle this week. We could get at them.

1. Kieran Brookes
2. Scott Lawson
3. Scott Wilson
4. Calum Green
5. Dom Barrow
6. Mark Wilson
7. Will Welch (c)
8. Ally Hogg.

9 Ruki Tipuna
10 Juan Pablo Socino

11 Sinoti Sinoti
12 Adam Powell
13 Gonzalo Tiesi
14 Alex Tait
15. Simon Hammersley

Replacements 26. Alex Rogers, 17. Rob Hawkins, 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk, 19. Josh Furno, 20. Richard Mayhew, 21. Warren Fury, 22. Rory Clegg, 23. Alex Tuilagi.

Best line up available, no Godman in the 23??

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I'd like to see:

10. Socino 12. A Tuilagi 13. Tiesi

Welch has carried well and is a real workhorse but I think Saull may suit our style a little better with his pace and link play. We seem to miss that link between forwards and backs so he could be a key player.

Hogg has looked well off the pace so far, I wonder how long the new guys are away from playing?

Makes you wonder if they signed him knowing that they where planning on changing the playing style and pitch?

I'd be very surprised if Deano had that kind of foresight. Either way, he still not picking him!

I don't know the players that well but that looks like one of the best line-ups for Falcons so far this season?

Yeah I think it's the best one we've put out so,far.

Let's see how we go

Why is Furno not starting? I'd rather see Wilson at 7 with Furno at 6?

Our best pack is as good as most when fit.

1.Brookes
2.Hawkins
3.Wilson
4.Kolo
5.Barrow
6.Furno
7.Wilson/Saull
8.Kane

I agree Furno isn't a lock...but he's great at 6 . Wilson is just Mr Consistent who has to be there.

See how we go this weekend

Much better start than previous rounds, 3-0 after 15mins.

Defence looking good, line speed and kick chase. Line out strong, stole one off Wasps.

As I write this Varndell scores, damn

10-6 down, we're the better side but Socino passing and scrum letting us down. Brookes is getting battered.

Another try Wasps. Should be 17-6.....

No arguments...we put out our strongest side. We're just Poopie

Poopie? No I put...sh#_e!!!!

Rodgers just dropped the ball over the line, could have been 20-18.

We've played really well, Wasps have yet again took the points on offer. Another Wasps try.

Our scrum has been diabolical.

Whats gone wrong at Newcastle? Thought there was lots of promise with some of the signings made. Is Andy Tuilagi injured or just not picked?

Just not picked.

Dean's selection process is strange. But to be fair it was probably our best lineup this season and we just weren't good enough.

Well as the dust has settled....there are several points to make

1. Without Vickers we have no looseheads. Brookes is a top class TH but not the answer at LH. Why was this not addressed before the season.

2. Socino is indeed a 12. He can cover 10 by all means but we need a top class 10 to come. This was highlighted last season ...why was it not addressed by the management team.

3. John Wells position must be under scrutiny...

4. Alex Tuilagi is well well past his date...a slow fat prop on the wing.

5. Will Welch is not justifying his place at the minute when Andy Saull is playing very well for the A side....

Agree there GF.

I quite like the look of Rodgers though, I think he'll do well with some work.

Team for Exeter?

1. Rodgers
2. Hawkins
3. Brookes
4. Green
5. Barrow
6. Furno
7. Wilson
8. Hogg

9. Tipuna
10. Clegg
11. Sonoti
12. Socino
13. Tiesi
14. Tait/Cato
15. Hammersley

I think we need the 10/12 kicking combo to counter the Exeter options, keep them pinned back.

Tipuna was excellent against Wasps and I'd love Clegg to kick on.

I'm heading up this weekend for this game , What time is kick off?

Sunday 3pm....I might go up myself

Whatever the team they need a MASSIVE performance and to play for 80 mins.

I'm unfortunately very pessimistic about them at the moment despite the fact I know individually we have some cracking players.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Sunday 3pm....I might go up myself

Where you travelling from?

I get free tickets

Be from Hartlepool Micky but then up to Alnwick after as at work Monday

No worries matey , I'll get the train up and back.

I hope you boys win on Sunday.  I have no love whatsoever for Welsh, and they are patently not Premiership standard as a club, not just as a team.  The don't appear to have done anything to address the issues that they had 2 seasons ago when they were up and until they do they will always be a Championship side.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well as the dust has settled....there are several points to make

1. Without Vickers we have no looseheads. Brookes is a top class TH but not the answer at LH. Why was this not addressed before the season.

2. Socino is indeed a 12. He can cover 10 by all means but we need a top class 10 to come. This was highlighted last season ...why was it not addressed by the management team.

3. John Wells position must be under scrutiny...

4. Alex Tuilagi is well well past his date...a slow fat prop on the wing.

5. Will Welch is not justifying his place at the minute when Andy Saull is playing very well for the A side....

Yes, the 10 issue was always going to be the biggest one and I was also surprised to see that nobody really came in during the close season. As a regular follower of Edinburgh, I wouldn't trust Godman with a pair of scissors never mind running a backline and I'm sorry that you have to deal with him.

When you look at how Gopperth has kicked on at Leinster, you wonder whether they couldn't just have thrown a bit more wonga at him because at least he put you in the right parts of the field. When it was clear that Heathcote was moving on from Bath, I honestly thought that you guys would jump in.

Fundementally, it's always tough to get good players to move just before a RWC year.

Thanks Ozzy

George
They've had since they were promoted to sign a quality 10 and have refused to do so. Its simply bad management if you ask me.

There are questions being raised about Dean Richards now...and unless things improve i can only see more people asking them.

15.Alex Tait, 14. Sinoti Sinoti, 13. Gonzalo Tiesi, 12. Adam Powell, 11. Noah Cato, 10. Juan Pablo Socino, 9. Ruki Tipuna; 1. Kieran Brookes, 2. Scott Lawson, 3. Scott Wilson, 4. Calum Green, 5. Dom Barrow, 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Will Welch (c), 8. Ally Hogg.

Replacements 16.Rob Hawkins, 17. Alex Rogers, 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk, 19. Josh Furno, 20. Richard Mayhew, 21. Mike Blair, 22. Rory Clegg, 23. Tom Catterick


No Hammersley or Tuilagi in the squad? Furno should be starting at 6 with Wilson at 7 for me.

Welch is starting to look like Borthwick as in he can't be dropped.

Hammersley must have picked up a knock? On paper I think we have the better side but Exeter so well drilled and play to their strengths. I hope we win but can see them within the 7.

Deano:

"Rob Vickers and Uili Kolo’ofai are both close to returning, Kane Thompson is a couple of weeks away, Zach Kibirige and Chris York are another couple behind them and George McGuigan is also in the mix a little behind that bunch.”

Good to hear. I really think the two islanders can make a big difference in the pack.

Top 4 out of the question?

Well, great to finally get a win.

We said hogg needed a big game and he delivered.

Unbelievable. I watch twenty losses and miss the time we win, I'm going to miss the match next week too!

Pleased though, think that is a large step to safety for another season. Was supposed to be a decent performance too, or so I heard.

I done so many fist pumps when the ref blew his wistle!

Opinons....

Eric Fry. Why did we sign him....will he make the grade? Can they do what they did with Vickers?? Im really not sure.
When is Vickers back?

Saull has been playing exceptionally well for the A side. Its a level below...but should he be given a shot over Welch at 7?

Would you stick with Alex Tuilagi or release him and concentrate on the youngsters.

Fry: let's see how get's on after a season with us, seems an odd purchase at the minute.

Saull: it's more than a level below in the A league. He'll get jus chance but he's obviously missing something

Tuilagi: let's get him fit and see what he can do

Kolo'ofia back for Welsh , York 3/4 weeks away and Zac back in November.

Ah thats a nice one to have him back...a big lump of a player.

What has been wrong with York. Why has there been utter silence over this. Even after the big meeting last years when Dean said he would improve that aspect.

Nice to see Zac will be back though...i want to see him getting a good run out as i really dont think Alex T is going to produce...think he's past it.

Let's get him fit and firing GF, could be a surprise.

Great to see Kolo back, he looked fantastic in pre-season

I hoped that was the case Sgt, but i dont know im not just a little pessimistic on that front.

Kolo will certainly add some power and size in there. Think he'll come off the bench...as i dont think the team will change from last weekend.