Newcastle Falcons Thread - 2016 / 2017

[Geordie]

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 - Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Paddy Ryan, Davy Wilson
LH - Sami Mavinga, Rob Vickers, Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank (A), Joshua Chisanga (A), Trevor Davison (A)

Hookers: Ben Sowrey, Kyle Cooper, Scott Lawson
Santiago Socino (A) Jamie Blamire (A)

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

Back Row: Will Welch, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Harrison Orr, Opeti Fonua, Ally Hogg, Ryan Burrows, Gary Graham
Calum Chick,  Simon Uzokwe (A)

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

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

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Chris Harris, Dom Waldouck, Maxine Mermoz, Josh Matavesi, Joel Matavesi, Tom Penny
Ben Stevenson (A),

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Zac Kibirige, Veriniki Goneva, DTH Van der Merve
Adam Radwan (A), Cameron Cowell (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

[Geordie]

Interesting on the unoffy theres a few mixed feelings about the Flood signing. That he's not been electric over in France and is only coming for the money etc.

I think he's a good signing and hopefully will be a good mentor for Hodgson, Willis and Connon - something Delayney was supposed to be but failed miserably!

[LondonTiger]

He has not been great at Toulouse, but in very weird circumstances.

He has far too much professional pride to merely take the wages, and I am sure will be an upgrade on your current situation.

[Sgt_Pooly]

I'm super happy.

He's not been amazing for Toulouse but either have the rest of them tbh, he can only work with whats around him. He'll be a huge upgrade on Delaney anyway.

[Geordie]

Totally agree....

Him and Hodgson give us two nice different options for different teams and games.

Hopefully Delayney will be sent on his way and Willis can then be played in the games he needs to continue his development as well.

[Geordie]

I see David Nelson is on his way to Doncaster permanently.

Didn't come through as I thought he might.

[Geordie]

Confirmed Leavers so far:

Marcus Watson - Wasps
Ben Harris - Wasps
Andrew Forster - Rotheram
Alex Rodgers - Apparently off to Richmond
Adam Powell - Saracens
David Nelson (Doncaster)
Sam Egerton (becoming a lawyer)

Rumours to be confirmed:

Joshua Chisanga hasn't made the grade switching to prop so is being released
Harrison Orr is away also.

Two further signings thought to be announced next week - one thought to be young former Exeter Prop Jack Stanley. Looks like they'll be trying to do another Keiron Brookes by rejuvenating a young lad who seems to have lost his way abit.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Not much to argue withe there GF, none bar Watson have really made the grade.

I'd like to see a few more locks coming off the books, Botha and one other maybe. Delany is a bit of an odd one, will he take a pay off?

[Geordie]

Yeah Sgt, I think Botha and the American will be off. The two kids Williams and Davies look better to work with

[Geordie]

Dan temm confirmed off to Ealing

[Geordie]

Wilson in the list for prem players of the season!!!

Awesome effort!!

[LondonTiger]

Yeah Sgt, I think Botha and the American will be off. The two kids Williams and Davies look better to work with

With Falcons playing a home game in Philadelphia in September, maybe "the America" will stay for commercial reasons?

[TrailApe]

With Falcons playing a home game in Philadelphia in September, maybe "the America" will stay for commercial reasons?

oooh - controversial - some of the supporters are spitting feathers over this, not a happy bunch at the minute.

[Geordie]

Yeah they're not happy as its a Newcastle home game that they are paying for as part of the season ticket.

I think its funny how Saracens are involved and were in the game v London Irish over in the states as well yet non was THEIR home game?

[Sgt_Pooly]

I can't see the issue with the club set to receive 3 times the amount they'd get from a normal game. We are a business end of the day, I think it's a clever move by the club.

This one game could of paid for Flood coming in I guess.

[Scottrf]

Philadelphia? Saints fans were up in arms about games being held at Milton Keynes!

[Geordie]

Yeah very true Sgt. Good exposure.

[Hazel Sapling]

What is Newcastle's squad looking like for next season? Will Andrew Davidson get a look in at lock (agree about Botha not looking like he makes the grade)? Is Flood being looked at as more of a 12 in the starting 23 (with Hodgeson at 10) or as a 10 (with Socino or Mermoz at 12)?

[Sgt_Pooly]

Can't see Davidson getting much game time but you never know.

Backline looks really good with options at centre and wing, more than we've ever had really. I imagine a starting of:

9. Tukulua
10. Flood/Hodgson
11. Sinoti/DTH
12. Mermoz/Matevesi/Socino
13. Mermoz/DTH
14. Goneva
15. Tait/Hammers

Really excited to see us in action.

[Geordie]

Andrew Davidson is a work in progress. He may get some run outs in games in the cup and euro cup etc. He did impress me the few games I saw of him.

He'll get plenty of games in the A league though. But he has a lot of really good locks in his way. We are VERY strong in that department.

Backline looks great. But lets hope the pack gives us enough ball. Please let Lockwood be fit and fully recovered and Mavinga equally ready to challenge for that LH spot.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Catterick retires.

Real shame for the lad, cracking player on his day.

[Geordie]

Yeah just saw that Sgt. Shame... But expected.

[Sgt_Pooly]

And Vickers gets a new deal.......wow

[Geordie]

I can understand Vickers getting a deal.

He's always fit, experienced and solid. With less games he'll be a good back up. And he works his socks off in the rucks, tackling etc.

Also the jury is still out on Mavinga and Lockwood as we've never seen them play to be honest. We hope they will be class but only time will tell.

[Geordie]

we've signed another England 7's player (winger /fb) Cameron Cowell

Hope he turns out as good as Marcus Watson, but this time stays with us.

[Ozzy3213]

He's ex London Irish academy GF and is a cracking little player ball in hand. Was gutted when he went to 7s but could see why as he was pretty small when he left. Not sure if he's any bigger now, but hope he goes well with you.

[Geordie]

It'll be interesting what they do with him Ozzy.

Says hes a scrummy aswell...I wonder if that's the plan? Or to just keep him as a winger

We are top heavy with wingers
Sinoti
Goneva
DTH Van der Merve
Kibirige
Marshall (academy rapid lightweight winger)
Radwan (academy rapid lightweight winger )
Cowell (academy rapid lightweight winger)

[Geordie]

Apparently Dan Marshall has been released...

[Ozzy3213]

I've never seen him play SH and not sure about his passing, but he's still young enough to potentially give it a crack.

[Geordie]

Lock Glen Youngs and Back row Calum Chick have not
Been promoted to the senior squad from the senior academy squad.

Chick is a massive talent on his way Through!

Back rower Archie Erskine, TH Prop Andrew foster, hooker Davd Nelson and winger Dan Marshall have been released.

[Geordie]

TH prop scares me! If both the Wilsons are as injury hit as last season we are royally screwed!

[LondonTiger]

And people where calling for Deano to be got rid off earlier in the season....

He's done a Quins with you and has built you to the point where you can attract top names and potentially progress to the top 6.

Guilty as charged Welly. But after years of dredge and the start of the season the same it was getting tedious.  

Im pleased to have had that ranmed way back down my throat. Dean told us his plans years ago and to be fair to him they are starting to bear fruit.

He's doing exactly what he did with Quins, only hopefully he'll get to complete the job here....

Flash Back Thursday Monday

[Geordie]

Back to horrid dredge...

[Sponsored content]