Newcastle Falcons 2015 / 2016

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: Micky Ward
Defence Coach: John Wells
Attack Coach: Dave Walder
Lineout Coach: Scott Macleod
Skills Coach: Mark Laycock

Current Squad (A= Academy):
Forwards
Props:
TH - Taione Vea, Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Paddy Ryan, Andrew Foster
LH - Ben Harris, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry, Alex Rogers, Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank (A)

Hookers: Scott Lawson, Ben Sowrey, Kyle Cooper
David Nelson (A), Santiago Socino (A)

Second Rows: Callum Green, Mauritz Botha, Will Witty, Sean Robinson , Evan Olmstead, Nick Civetta, Glen Youngs, Andrew Davidson
Harry Snowdon (A), Josh Williams (A), Max Davies (A),

Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Dan Temm, Joshua Chisanga, Harrison Orr, Opeti Fonua, Tyrone Holmes
Joe Craggs (A), Calum Chick (A), Sebastian Ferreira (A), Simon Uzokwe (A)

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

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

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

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Marcus Watson, Zac Kibirige, Veriniki Goneva,
Dan Marshall (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley
Ed Coulson (A)

Signings for Next Season:
Niki Goneva - Wing (Leicester)
Sam Lockwood - LH Prop (Jersey)
Sam Egerton - SH (7's / Quins)
Harrison Orr - Back Row (Ealing)
Joel Hodgson - 9, 10, 15 (Leeds)
Ben Sowrey - Hooker (Worcester)
Evan Olmstead - Lock (London Scottish)
Opeti Fonua - Back Rower
Nick Civetta - Lock forward
Andrew Davidson (Academy) - Lock Forward
Kyle Cooper - Hooker
Tyrone Holmes - 6/7 - Glasgow

Yeah...that's true Sgt...and that's the way ive been wanting us to move for a while. I'm genuinely optimistic. Some big bruising players.

Whats the preseason games? I remember a few years ago we have a three game day. We played Leeds, and Rotherham and there was a local game in the middle.

It was great as the sun was blasting and the stdium was only half full. We just moved from seat to seat, having a few beers...was a cracking day.

So come on Sgt, Cumbrian....

Whats our strongest team next year...or are you waiting to see what the new recruits are like?

Hard to guess at this stage GF. Loads of new signings we know nothing of.

I cant wait for the new season to start.

Has Kibirige signed a new deal yet?

Tigers could do with a project wing by the looks of it.

He can do better than Tigers

No not yet, but Dean has already said next season Kibirige will get more gametime so that would suggest its pretty much sorted.

GeordieFalcon wrote:No not yet, but Dean has already said next season Kibirige will get more gametime so that would suggest its pretty much sorted.

He said that about Barrow and McGuigan.

Welly wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:No not yet, but Dean has already said next season Kibirige will get more gametime so that would suggest its pretty much sorted.

He said that about Barrow and McGuigan.

Barrow was no real loss, he was 4/5th choice when he left. McGuigan disappoints me as the lad is really talented, you've got a great player there.

GeordieFalcon wrote:So come on Sgt, Cumbrian....

Whats our strongest team next year...or are you waiting to see what the new recruits are like?

I have given in to some pragmatism, because I believe certain players will be selected no matter what.

01. Sam Lockwood (best scrummaging loose head in the champ has got to overtake a 34 y.o?)
02. Scott Lawson (Will still be around?)
03. Jon Welsh
04. Callum Green
05. Sean Robinson
06. Mark Wilson
07. Will Welch (He’ll be there no matter what I think)
08. Nili Latu- Don’t know if Chisanga has the skill, not sure Olmstead is up to it and I hope that Tameilau might be our version of Samu Manoa (but I doubt it).


09. Micky Young (appear to be bullet proof at the moment)
10. Mike Delany

11. Vereniki Goneva
12. Adam Powell
13. Chris Harris
14. Sinoti Sinoti
15. Simon Hammersley

I don’t know enough about the likes of Sowery or Orr to really comment.

Hope they are ready because I believe Bristol will be charging at the Premiership hard this time out. Once they are in the league I believe they will stay there.

Olmstead is a lock forward marra. A big Canadian international one. Hopefully he'll be as good some of their locks...

Chisanga is the big ?. A real rough diamond potentially. I don't expect him to have much actual skill...I just expect him to be a physical wrecking ball. Not pretty just very effective. Could be frightening with Latu.

Lockwood should be good, Sowery looks more interesting...he looks a very physical player and a big carrier. I don't think we'll be getting another hooker in as he could be very good given gametime.

Civetta is the one that interests me. He looks very very athletic and powerful despite being 6'8. The issue is can he bring this to the premiership level. Who knows.

Harrison Orr...hasn't been a first choice player at Ealing...but he looks very good...I guess its another wait and see.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Welly wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:No not yet, but Dean has already said next season Kibirige will get more gametime so that would suggest its pretty much sorted.

He said that about Barrow and McGuigan.

Barrow was no real loss, he was 4/5th choice when he left. McGuigan disappoints me as the lad is really talented, you've got a great player there.

Barrow was injured when he left, had he been fit and in form I suspect he would have been starting for you guys at the end of last season. I'm looking forward to seeing how McGuigan develops after his move.

You'll enjoy having Goneva next season. His ability to beat a man in no space is surprising considering his size.

That's the problem Sam, he was barely EVER fit for us.
We all recognised his ability, we just never saw it...as we have barely seen Furno and Thompson over the last few years.

Maybe its the weather, or something that causes the injuries?? But our squad was in bits with injuries last pre season and season start...im praying we don't go through the same again this one.

Gonvea will be welcome...but many fans have taken Marcus Watson to our hearts after his performance this season and Sinotti is obviously a big favourite...so he will have to put in some good performances ....

Barrow was often fit and didn't even make the squad. With a fully fit set of locks he was arguably 5th choice.

Ali Crossdale -----> sarries senior academy.

Sorry Welly?

Who is Ali Crossdale?

An Academy 10/15 for you was at sedburgh. Was in england's U18 last year sounds like he has been injured this season for a bit.
http://www.fifteenrugby.com/saracens-add-six-to-their-senior-academy/

Odd move mind what with Faz and Loz not exactly being old.

Unless it is more at 15 (Which is more likely).

I don't even recognise that name Welly. Are you sure its the Falcons?

Ah he's had spells at Sale and us...not a proper academy lad.

Probably because we have links with the schools. Will Greenwoods old school if I recall correctly.

Interesting to note that Venditti is in COS first Italy squad for the June tests. Whilst I'd question him being brought straight back into an international squad with no game time it does at least indicate that he's fit again.

Who's he Carlos??

Venditti has gone back to Zebre ....what a waste of time he was.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Barrow was often fit and didn't even make the squad. With a fully fit set of locks he was arguably 5th choice.

Still started 14 Premiership matches in his second season, matches he missed was when injured.

You were raving about Barrow until he said he was leaving. Amazed you think so much of McGuigan when he was being kept out of the team by a bald scottish pensioner.

LondonTiger wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Barrow was often fit and didn't even make the squad. With a fully fit set of locks he was arguably 5th choice.

Still started 14 Premiership matches in his second season, matches he missed was when injured.

You were raving about Barrow until he said he was leaving. Amazed you think so much of McGuigan when he was being kept out of the team by a bald scottish pensioner.

Imagine what Sgt will say if he's kept out of the team by a diminutive converted fly half.

LondonTiger wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Barrow was often fit and didn't even make the squad. With a fully fit set of locks he was arguably 5th choice.

Still started 14 Premiership matches in his second season, matches he missed was when injured.

You were raving about Barrow until he said he was leaving. Amazed you think so much of McGuigan when he was being kept out of the team by a bald scottish pensioner.

Barrow rarely produced and was well down the pecking order when he left, I don't know why this annoys you. For him to leave us and become starting lock for you is perhaps more indicative of where Tigers are these days.

McGuigan is a real talent but I care little if he starts or is 3rd choice for you to be honest.

Re Barrow, he was injured quite a lot but wasn't always in the side.
I did always think Barrow was and is quality, and will do well for the Tigers. I was genuinely disappointed when he left, but he never really showed his full potential for us sadly. Not like say Sean Robinson has this season - who has been a revelation.

On the other hand....I completely agree with Sgt, not really fussed how McGuigan gets on. I think we are ok for young hookers coming through. He was second choice to Lawson for most of the season and I believe Socino Jr and Sowery and Nelson will all take up his position. I think the 3 of them are all much more physical than McGuigan as well which is something Dean seems to be driving for this season.

The one hope I do have is that should he fail, he doesn't come crawling back like Brookes, Youngs, Hodgson, with his tail between his legs!

Robinson to tigers i have heard.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Barrow was often fit and didn't even make the squad. With a fully fit set of locks he was arguably 5th choice.

Still started 14 Premiership matches in his second season, matches he missed was when injured.

You were raving about Barrow until he said he was leaving. Amazed you think so much of McGuigan when he was being kept out of the team by a bald scottish pensioner.

Barrow rarely produced and was well down the pecking order when he left, I don't know why this annoys you. For him to leave us and become starting lock for you is perhaps more indicative of where Tigers are these days.

I think it's more indicative of the state of Big Ed's knee. Barrow is a good enforcer but his discipline has let him down at times this season, notably in the semi final vs Racing. With Slater undergoing more work this summer which will start next season is unknown.

Even at 3rd choice Sam, I wouldn't rate him in the Tigers class personally. You look at the great locks you've had down the years, Barrow shouldn't be starting for Tigers imo.

To be fair he's exactly the type of lock we like. Mobile, aggressive, physical, solid set piece and big work rate. Young locks tend to have flaws and he's similar to Slater when he first arrived. To keen to make an impact leading to spells of poor discipline that is very frustrating to watch.

He should have been touring with the Saxons given some of the options we took.

Welly now now that young man is going nowhere...along with Witty, Glen Youngs and newly signed Davidson.
We have some very good locks coming through.

I think you have enough to work with.

But you can keep McGuigan

True Robinson can develop more with you first. Then when you do lose a lock he can come in.

Deal, Deal.

Similarly i wouldn't mind Hammersley and Catterick (I actually like him) maybe Willis to replace Owen Williams if he goes back to wales (could well happen).

Job lot so to speak maybe?

Catterick's distribution is outstanding but he's such a confidence player. I'm sure he'd be great with the right club.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Catterick's distribution is outstanding but he's such a confidence player. I'm sure he'd be great with the right club.

Yeh i rate him, thought he would have gotten more game time this season TBH.

Basically confidence Welly, he's lost it.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Basically confidence Welly, he's lost it.

He's out of contract next season isn't he?

Do you think if things don't pick up he will be looking elsewhere?

I imagine we won't keep hold of him tbh.

He's a decent FB, poor wing. Could be a cracking FH.

He's about 26 though Sgt. Willis and Connon will be the future. Let Catterick go.

I agree.

Another signing to come in, hooker or centre?

I genuinely don't think we'll get another Hooker in.

But we do need a centre.

I see young Hammersley has been over training with the Saxons. Great to see.

And Chick playing well for the England u20's and Connon added to the irish u20 squad...nice to see.

Also I see we have signed another player just waiting for final details. Said to be a good player from a good club (not sure which league) and a position everyone has said needs strengthening. So either Hooker or Centre?

I keep seeing Floods name popping up....surely that's just the "silly season" rumour mill kicking in to action....

surely Morpeth have first dibs on Toby?

Ha ha...I don't think he's coming back anyway. Not when we have all the FH's we do.

Hearing that the Japanese TH prop has left. But by all accounts we have completed another signing, just waiting to announce it.

Hearing that the Japanese TH prop has left.

Not suprised - did you see the way Dawn Thewlis from Look North was all over him?

Dawn was putting a scarfe around his neck and he looked like a rag doll in her hands..

Hopefully we'll be in good shape this season with our front row, we lost Welsh and Wilson for most of the season. Especially Welsh was a huge blow.

Welsh, Vea and Wilson is a good set of TH's.

Apparently we have signed Sharks hooker Kyle Cooper/

Who?

I heard this signing was a first choice player at a good club????

Five foot 10 and comfortably over 17 stone he looks a big bloke as well. I suppose you guys have to hope he was kept out of the Sharks team by good players he's learnt from.