Newcastle Falcons - 2019 to 2020 Championship - Closed

First topic message reminder :

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

Current Squad:
Forwards
Props:
LH - Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank, Trevor Davison,
Conrad Cade (Senior Academy), Phil Brantingham (Senior Academy)
TH - Rodney Ah You, Logo Mulipola, Mark Tampin, Mike Daniels,
Oscar Caudle  TH(Senior Academy & Tynedale)

Hookers: Kyle Cooper, George McGuigan, Jamie Blamire, Charlie Maddison

Second Rows: Sean Robinson, Darren Barry, Toby Salmon, Greg Peterson,
Will Montgomery (Senior Academy), Freddie Lockwood (Senior Academy), Bailey Ransom (Senior Academy)

Back Row:
6&7's: Mark Wilson, Will Welch, Gary Graham, Jon Hardie,
Guy Graham (Senior Academy), Rob Farrar (Senior Academy), Josh Basham (Senior Academy), Harry Hill (Senior Academy),
8: Philip van der Walt, Nemani Negusa, Calum Chick,
Tom Marshall (Senior Academy), Charlie Richards (Senior Academy & Tynedale)

Backs
SH's: Micky Young, Sam Stuart
Callum Pascoe (Senior Academy & Tynedale), Cameron Nordi Kelemeti (Senior Academy), James Elliott (Senior Academy)

Fh's: Joel Hodgson, Toby Flood, Brett Connon, Tim Swiel, Joel Matavesi
Will Haydon Wood (Senior Academy & Tynedale)

Centres: Matias Orlandi, Gareth Owen, Ben Stevenson, George Wacokecoke,
Charlie Wilson (Senior Academy - At Durham UNi)), Chidera Obonna (Senior Academy)

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti , Adam Radwan, Cooper Vuna
Morgan Passman (Senior Academy),

FB's: Alex Tait, Tom Arscott,

Players unconfirmed:
Seb De Chaves - Only has a one year deal
Jon Welsh - Injuries mean he hasnt played for nearly 2 years.
Connor Collett - has he signed permanently for Doncaster

Ah well we're out of the Euros in the Semi's...but fair play Gloucester, much the better side. And far more effective in the collisions.

George Mcguigan confirmed back...I hope he's not another Brookes!!

GeordieFalcon wrote:George Mcguigan confirmed back...I hope he's not another Brookes!!

Hasn't had a chance under MOC. Similar with Thacker who was our best hooker early doors but forced out. MOC only wants big hookers hence the signing of TPN.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:George Mcguigan confirmed back...I hope he's not another Brookes!!

Hasn't had a chance under MOC. Similar with Thacker who was our best hooker early doors but forced out. MOC only wants big hookers hence the signing of TPN.

McGugian is a big hooker though.

He's been injured for a good chunk of season and when he has played whilst been good never managed to secure a 23 consistently spot even under cockers and Mauger time.

McGuigan is a similar size to Tom Youngs. TPN is a much bigger unit. Still unconvinced in MOC's approach. Far too focused on size as opposed to physicality.

formerly known as Sam wrote:McGuigan is a similar size to Tom Youngs. TPN is a much bigger unit. Still unconvinced in MOC's approach. Far too focused on size as opposed to physicality.

No he isn't McGugian is quite a bit taller than Youngs.

Would also say TPN is the best hooker at the club by some distance.

They're both 16 and a bit stone. McGuigan is taller but Youngs is shorter and broader.

I would be amazed if McGuigan is still only 16 and a bit.

Still not small though.

Also how is MOC approach with hooker far too focused on size and not physicality? Youngs and TPN are the most physical of our hookers anyway?

Happy to welcome McGuigan back. I'm surprised it never worked out for him at Tigers as he was playing some great stuff when he left. He fits our style and the pitch, I guess this was an easy one.

McGuigan isn't tall, perhaps 5'9 or 5'10. I'd say he was pretty similar to Youngs actually.

We've got a good trio of hookers for next season.

Kyle Cooper, Socino and McGuigan

Blamire is the young England u20 hooker aswelll...

Also has Lawson actually retired...or is he just reigning it in a bit like Hogg?

Welly wrote: I would be amazed if McGuigan is still only 16 and a bit.

Still not small though.

Also how is MOC approach with hooker far too focused on size and not physicality? Youngs and TPN are the most physical of our hookers anyway?

I was thinking size has been a general theme in selection. We've seen three 8s in the back row often this season with very mixed results. When teams are prepared for the tactic we've suffered. The iffy lineout work from our hookers certainly hasn't seen a change and a chance for Thacker. MOC needs to wake up and see that being big and trying to bludgeon your way through is somewhat of an outmoded tactic. Need more dynamism in the pack. At the minute you look at the league leaders and in the Chiefs pack their hooker is better at the breakdown than the entire pack we fielded against Saints. We have to be smarter.

Wow...just wow.

Passion and fight from the boys tonight....how many times this season have we just not been beaten until the last whistle.

Falcons in the playoffs....

The fairy tale continues.....

Well done to all Falcons - whether fans, players or management. Good luck in the semi (would you prefer to travel to Exeter or Barnet?)

Cheers Lt, been a crazy old season....nothing to lose in the semi's now. Just go out enjoy it and give it their best shot.

Bobby Vickers confirms he is retiring at the end of the season.

He might not have been the most destructive LH in the world, but he was great around the park...and boy we'd have been lost without him. Never injured...played and played.

Great servant to the club but he's made the right choice. Hopefully we can get a few more decent props in, it would be good to have a steady scrum going into the Champions cup.

Deano signs on for another 3 years!

Yup another 3 years. Never in doubt.

Max Davies the academy England age grade lock is moving to Wales apparently as he's Welsh qualified. Shame.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yup another 3 years. Never in doubt.

Max Davies the academy England age grade lock is moving to Wales apparently he's Welsh qualified. Shame.

Won't be the last. Wales and Scotland keep close tabs on the qualification of England age grade players.

Agree Sam, he's a prospect aswell...

Aly Hogg announces his retirement. Genuine Classy no 8!

Another one gone....great player. Got to be some reinforcements coming in soon.

Yeah...theres a few out...and I suspect Lawson maybe aswell.

Only 3 in so far...must be a few announcements due soon.

So it was confirmed that Olmstead is away and Latu and Lawson are also gone/ retiring.

We need some quality coming in

Yesterday's side looked some way from the strongest. I know there are some injuries, but was Drank also resting some?

Yeah we were about 10 players short of the strongest starting side LT. Some injuries but mostly rested. And a few sentimental last game starts for Vickers, Lawson and Hogg.

I think we need to announce a few signings....

Players in Summer 2018:
Guy Graham - Hawick
Tom Arscott - France
Logi Mulipola - Tigers
George McGuigan - Tigers

Players out Summer 2018:
Juan Pablo Socino - Leaving For Edinburgh in the Summer
Bobby Vickers - Retiring
Craig Willis - Leaving for Ealing in the Summer
Aly Hogg - Retiring
Nili Latu - Retiring
Scott Lawson - Retiring
Evan Olmstead - Going to NZ, not offered a new contract.
Max Davies - Moving to Wales
Jake Ilnicki - Yorkshire

Or is Dean promoting some of the academy lads Uzokwe, Radwan, Blamire etc etc to play more games.

So if we look at just maintaining the current squad:

? - Arscott
Juan Pablo Socino - ?
Bobby Vickers - Logo Mulipola
Craig Willis - ?
Ally Hogg - ?
Nili Latu - ?
Scott Lawson - McGuigan
Evan Olmstead - ?
Jake Ilnicki - ?

Doesn't make good reading going into the Champions Cup.

Well its interesting Sgt...what about..

(Agulla) replaced by Arscott - That one makes sense
Juan Pablo Socino - Replaced by Joel Matavesi? The younger one.
Bobby Vickers - Logo Mulipola - yeah fair call
Craig Willis - ?? Brett Connon will be the 3rd choice 10. Josh Matavesi can cover 10 also.
Ally Hogg - Simon Uzokwe promoted?
Nili Latu - Calum Chick senior starter.
Scott Lawson - McGuigan
Evan Olmstead - Cavubati back playing?
Jake Ilnicki - ??

Plus what about players like Mermoz, Civetta etc...surely they'll be off.

Well that's a serious downgrade on quality and experience. If they're expecting the young lads to fill the boots of all these players (and I don't think they are), I could see us struggling on all fronts next season.

It will be interesting to see how Deano approaches the Champions Cup, and whether as this year he does not include some of the senior players in that squad.

I think we'll go pretty much all out at it LT.

Agree it would be a MASSIVE downgrade on experience.

But im with you...I think theres quite a few announcements to be made...

Johnny Williams confirmed..great signing.

Suspect Mermoz will be on his way now.

Well it just gets better

Goneva - player of the season
Deano - Coach of the season
Sinoti - try of the season

Well wonderful season is over. The lads have done brilliant.

Connor Collett is the new signing announced today.  Flanker from North Harbour. But he's English. Went there a few years back.

Squad updated as of today with the signings and departures. Looks odd without a few long terms names.

We need to sort the propping stables out!

God do we, especially after yesterdays performance, we were dismantled all game.

Davidson has mostly turned out at TH Geordie, not sure if that's where they see him mainly operating at now.

Good to see Dave Wilson back although he got a good beasting, could he be an option? I'm unconvinced with Scotty Wilson, I'm not sure if he'll ever be an AP prop. He's in terrible shape and looks out on his feet after 5mins, plus he's constantly injured!

I would also think Mulipola would be used at LH?? We seem stronger at TH.

You've literally summed up our problem.  

Who is playing in what position and will they even be fit.

E.g. Trevor Davison is a LH.  But he's had to cover th lots this season.

Scotty is a shadow of the lad that was coming through.
Injuries gave ruined him

Davy Wilson is so past it it's unreal and never fit to play

Mavinga needs to head back to France

Leaves us with Welsh, Mulipola and Lockwood fighting for first choice

Well looks like Mermoz is definately away also. He for a on the same list as DTH...waste of time and effort.

Our 2 biggest signings too....and big successes at other clubs. That'll be quite a saving if Mermoz goes too, I reckon in the region of 500-600k for the pair, right at the top of our budget.

Yeah definitely. Does make you wonder why we're letting Olmstead go. He cant be expensive and was a very good performer.

Mermoz is our hightest earner. DTVM was up there too.

I'd also like to see Socino play more at hooker, absolute work horse and always goes forward.

I'd like to see a proper Full back come in.

Tait is my favourite but is not getting any younger . Hammersley for me is just a pale shadow of the young player who came into the side making superb line breaks etc.

Mermoz ----> Toulouse.

Apparently he's had vertigo most of the season.

I think a new full back should be high up on the shopping list.

I'd of took a punt on Ben Foden on a one year deal, could be great for the youngsters to learn from. Deano might have picked him back up.

I'd of definatly added Myler though.