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

Good riddance...he was a waste of a huge amount of budget. It was mentioned earlier in the season that he had balance problems, but it was never confirmed.

Wilson, Penny and Stevenson will all prove their worth next season.

I'm thinking more and more that Goneva will be playing 13 a bit more next year.

2 centres out and 1 in just doesn't add up, plus we've added Arscott on the wing.

Not sure...I think Williams will cover that at times.

Plus you'll see Penny and Charlie Wilson a lot more next season. If Penny can stay fit, he's a cracking player. And Wilson is a serious potential...just needs plenty of gametime.

We may see one more centre come in.

I agree with you though...Full back is a big one to look at.

Civetta released. No surprise.

Who?

Exactly...

Preseason games announced:

Sat Aug 11 v Nottingham (home, 3pm)
Fri Aug 17 v Leinster (away, time TBC)
Fri Aug 24 v Edinburgh (home, 7.45pm)
Sat Aug 25 v Doncaster Knights (away, 3pm)

So what would be on your shopping list Sgt?

Duane Vermeulen? 

Now that would be canny.

How about a few of those French u20's?
The Number 8 is a monster (only 17 year old) , the number 7...the huge TH prop Demba Bemba...the Full back looks insanely good!

Alex Grey looked insanely good at that level too.

Yeah...very true Driver!

A lack of any real signings or links is a bit of a worry at the moment.

Driver wrote:Alex Grey looked insanely good at that level too.

Alex Grey always looked slight though and looked like he would need to bulk up for senior rugby, Joesph looks like he could play 8 at senior level already.

Yeah its curiously quiet.

I think a number of the Senior academy lads will be stepping up this season and playing more meaningful Premiership games.
Uzokwe, Penny, Charlie Wilson, Chick (hopefully over his injuries), Radwan, Kibirige, Blamire, Andrew Davidson etc etc.

We've recruited quite shrewdly so far. Collet in the back row for example is under the radar but could be an absolute gem. Like wise Gary Grahams young brother Guy is supposed to be an absolute cracker...who physically looks more than ready for Prem games. Mulipola is a monster with experience.

Personally I think another couple of props, and a full back are the biggest requirements.

Cowell is the young FB we have...maybe he will get more gametime we shall see.

I heard you signed another backrower, but since it hasn't been announced i'm not sure on it.

Still plenty of time though.

Only signed Collet the English lad from NZ and Guy Graham (Gary's young brother) in the back row.

So we've got Toulon, Montpellier and Edinburgh in the cup.

Ouch!

Tasty! Great draw to be fair, some fantastic locations.

Fancy a trip to Toulon!

Fluxy wrote:Fancy a trip to Toulon!

I had some friends go a couple of years back. They said the Toulon fans were great fun, very welcoming and more than happy to give them a tour of the bars in the city.

Yes ill try to get a trip over there. A few of use will be going.

Nemani Negusa signed. Fijian 15s and 7s player . Back rower who is predominantly an 8 I believe. 6'2 and 110kg .

Might add some spark to the back of the pack!

Welly wrote: I heard you signed another backrower, but since it hasn't been announced i'm not sure on it.

Still plenty of time though.

And he's now been announced..

Ha ha your on the ball welly...anything other little bits of knowledge you care to release?

I see the following are listed as full squad members now...

Jack Payne - TH Prop
Tom Penny - Centre
Brocklebank - LH Prop
Joel Matavesi - FH
Brett Connon - FH

Ben Sowery no longer with the falcons - appears to be an injury retirement

Logo has had his legs in the recovery air compression units for the past week (Judging from his instagram stories 100% not a stalker...) Hopefully nothing serious and it's just to help with any pre-season soreness.

Yeah hopefully...

Another player due to be named imminently...contract all sorted just awaiting confirmation to announce.

We have also been trialling a Portuguese outside centre Pedro Bettencourt. 6'2 and 15.5 stone...hes a unit in the centre, and apparently been around the 7's circuits so has some gas!
Interesting...another of Deans little unknowns...

Well the first preseason is nearly upon us.

Whats your thoughts and hopes for the season?

Which players are you going to be watching with interest?

The Scots guys generally. In particular

- Can Guy Graham and/or Davidson get matches under their belt and develop

- Will Gary Graham swap allegiance back to Scotland. With Barclay out, there is a gaping hole in the backrow for a flanker

- Can Harris develop a bit more to his game. At the moment, he is a good club player. He needs to develop a bit more as a distributor as his lines are good, but he does not have the speed/strength to overwhelm at international level. The threat of his distribution could open up a little more space to make him more effective

- Can Welsh keep his form up and patch up things with Toonie. A really good prop. Would take him back to Glasgow in an instant

Outside of the Scots guys

- Is Goneva going to hit a wall or is going to continue to be fantastic

- How many of the guys are going to be missing during the international breaks? It is late for England to change their WC squad much so can't imagine that many

- Can Newcastle keep up with the rest of the league to build success? Keeping their young guys has shown how good Newcastle are at developing players, if they can continue that trend maybe the club becomes the next Exeter.

The Scots guys generally. In particular

- Can Guy Graham and/or Davidson get matches under their belt and develop

I think Guy will get a bit of exposure this season but I think Andrew Davidson will get quite a lot. We have let go of Olmstead who was a good player and I think its because Davidson is now ready and can go on to be a way better player. He's athletic but physical. Plus Glen Young is another Scot who is developing really well and Dean seems to rate him highly. I think he' about24/25

- Will Gary Graham swap allegiance back to Scotland. With Barclay out, there is a gaping hole in the backrow for a flanker

Very possible. His treatment by Eddie Jones has bee pretty poor.

- Can Harris develop a bit more to his game. At the moment, he is a good club player. He needs to develop a bit more as a distributor as his lines are good, but he does not have the speed/strength to overwhelm at international level. The threat of his distribution could open up a little more space to make him more effective

I don't think Chris will improve much more. He's a good Prem centre but I think that's his level. Plus we're signing a Portuguese 15's / 7's outside centre who is a big lad and can shift, so he may have competition now.

- Can Welsh keep his form up and patch up things with Toonie. A really good prop. Would take him back to Glasgow in an instant

Welsh was WAY overworked last season due to injuries. However by all accounts both Sicknotes (AKA Davy and Scott Wilson) are pulling up trees so far in preseason and we have signed Mulipola, so Welsh should be managed properly and should be firing on all cylinders.

Outside of the Scots guys

- Is Goneva going to hit a wall or is going to continue to be fantastic

Not just that..but both the young kids, Radwan and Kibirige are absolutely on fire...and will be looking to take that spot from him.

- How many of the guys are going to be missing during the international breaks? It is late for England to change their WC squad much so can't imagine that many

I think few will make the squad now...only really Mark Wilson is a possible. And if all the challengers are fit and not injury prone, I doubt he'll be in the WC squad.
Maybe Johnny Williams the young 12. If he can find the form that made him a real England hope. England are desperate for a big hard running 12 and he's still only 21/22 so he may well be the answer with a good season with us!

- Can Newcastle keep up with the rest of the league to build success? Keeping their young guys has shown how good Newcastle are at developing players, if they can continue that trend maybe the club becomes the next Exeter.

That's the big question. We've lost a load of experienced players and replaced them with academy players who Dean seems to think are ready and young signings who are potential rather than established. Like Guy Graham, and Connor Collet for example a young English flanker who went to NZ to play in the NPC and got rave reviews and we've snapped him up.

Thank you GF for the summary.

Will keep an eye out for Glen Young as well then. Newcastle have lost some really good older servants in Lawson, Hogg and Latu. Be interesting to see how the pack goes about it's business as the season wears on.

Yeah we have lost some experienced old guys, but im actually quite excited about the recruitment and players we are bringing in.

Latu - was an aggressive old guy, but time was beginning to tell especially with his uncompromising style. We have brought in Guy Graham, who we have huge hope for. Likewise Connor Collet is a work horse young English flanker who we have signed from one of the NZ NPC teams. Apparently he was getting very good reviews by the Kiwis so it'll be interesting to see how he goes.

Then theres young Uzokwe who is a dump truck of a flanker. Not very tall...similarly built like Steffon Armitage, and an aggressive carrier. He's been in the academy and will get some games this season.

Hogg will be a miss, he's simply an awesome player, but Callum Chick is fit again after a troublesome season and should play 8 along with Burrows and new signing Fijian international 8 Nagussa.

We have replaced Lawson with McGuigan returning.

Add those to the old warriors, Gary Graham, Mark Wilson and Will Welch and I think our back row is in potentially in rude health!

Some big losses this season, we really need Chick/Witty etc to step up.

Excited to see Radwan get some more game time, he could be a star....his gas is something else.

Oh and that Fijian no8 looks interesting.

Yeah Sgt Negussa looks pretty interesting. He's wont be as aggressive and physical as Latu but will probably be more a running 8 athletic who supports the play better.
Chick has to step up...this is the season he needs to show what he can do. It almost feels like this season or never.

I think Guy Graham could be a good one to watch in the Prem Cup etc and Conner Collet has glowing reports from New Zealand, which is not a an easy place to get them.

Dean has made it clear he's putting his trust in many of the younger lads...Radwan, Kibirige, Penny, Charlie Wilson (we have four Wilsons at the club non related) etc so l hope they produce in the faith he's showing.

And that Portuguese lad is being announced tomorrow who supposed to be an interesting one at 13.

Squad announced for the friendly v Nottingham tomorrow.

One team for the first half...one for the second.

Some very interesting selections...loads of fringe / academy lads having a run out. No doubt Dean wanting to have a look at them.

First Half team
1 Adam Brocklebank
2 Jamie Blamire
3 Jack Payne
4 Tevita Cavubati
5 Calum Green
6 Andrew Davidson
7 Connor Collett
8 Callum Chick (captain)

9 Sam Stuart
10 Joel Hodgson
11 George Wacokecoke
12 Josh Matavesi
13 Pedro Bettencourt
14 Adam Radwan
15 Tom Arscott

Second Half team
1 Sami Mavinga
2 Santiago Socino
3 Trevor Davison
4 Will Witty
5 Glen Young
6 Gary Graham
7 Simon Uzokwe
8 Tom Marshall

9 James Elliott
10 Toby Flood
11 Ben Stevenson
12 Charlie Wilson
13 Dominic Waldouck
14 Zach Kibirige

Replacements for both teams / halves
15 Alex Tait
19 Will Montgomery
20 Johnny Williams
21 Brett Connon
22 Tom Penny
23 Simon Hammersley

interesting first run out. Some decent performances.

Stand out for me was Calum Chick, who looks like he has put on some beef. He was very physical carrying and tackling.

Radwan scored a superb solo try and was a constant threat, and was strong defensively. He's another who looks like he's been on the protein shakes over the summer!

I think the squad is in good shape. The core first teamers, with some of these young lads being dropped in occasionally...looks very good for the future!

Who was the 2nd half capt?

There was 3 halfs of 30 mins mate. No idea who took over the captaincy when Calum wasn't on . It was rolling subs aswell.

USA International Tight head Paul Mullen signs on a 4 month contract

Its been confirmed that we have the most graduates from our academy in this seasons 1st team squad than in the clubs history.

Deans working his magic.

Newcastle Falcons team to play Leinster (Friday, 7pm, Energia Park, Dublin)

15 Alex Tait
14 Tom Arscott
13 Tom Penny
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Zach Kibirige
10 Toby Flood (captain)
9 Sam Stuart

1 Adam Brocklebank
2 Santiago Socino
3 Jack Payne
4 Will Witty
5 Calum Green
6 Simon Uzokwe
7 Connor Collett
8 Callum Chick

Replacements
1 Sami Mavinga
2 George McGuigan
3 Trevor Davison
4 Tevita Cavubati
5 Glen Young
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch
8 Tom Marshall

9 James Elliott
10 Joel Hodgson
11 George Wacokecoke
12 Johnny Williams
13 Chris Harris
14 Adam Radwan
15 Simon Hammersley

Leinster Rugby

15. Dave Kearney
14. Hugo Keenan
13. Rory O’Loughlin
12. Joe Tomane
11. Barry Daly
10. Ciarán Frawley
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Ed Byrne
2. James Tracy
3. Michael Bent
4. Scott Fardy CAPTAIN
5. Mick Kearney
6. Josh Murphy
7. Will Connors
8. Caelan Doris

Replacements

Peter Dooley
Bryan Byrne
Vakh Abdaladze
Ross Molony
Ian Nagle
Max Deegan
Luke McGrath
Jimmy O’Brien
James Lowe
Tom Daly
Adam Byrne

Is that a strong, weak or mixed lineup?

Players absent from preseason games:

Prop
Cian Healy(30) - International
Jack McGrath(28) - International
Tadhg Furlong(25) - International
Andrew Porter(22) - International
Jack Aungier(19) - returned late due to U20 international
Michael Milne(18/19) - training with U20's

Hooker
Sean Cronin(32) - International
Ronan Kelleher(20) - Injured

Lock
Devin Toner(32) - International
James Ryan(22) - International
Jack Dunne(19) - returned late due to U20 international
Ryan Baird(19) - training with U20's

Backrow
Sean O'Brien(31) - Injured
Jack Conan(26) - International
Josh Van Der Flier(25) - Injured
Dan Leavy(24) - International/Injured
Scott Penny(18/19) - training with U20's

Scrumhalf
Hugh O'Sullivan(20) - returned late due to U20 international
Patrick Patterson(19/20) - ?

Outhalf
Jonathan Sexton - International
Ross Byrne - International
Harry Byrne(19) - returned late due to U20 international

Centre
Robbie Henshaw(25) - International
Garry Ringrose(23) - International
Tommy O'Brien(20) - returned late due to U20 international

Back Three
Rob Kearney(32) - International
Fergus McFadden(32) - Injured
Jordan Larmour(21) - International
Michael Silvester(20) - returned late due to U20 international
Aaron O'Sullivan(18) - training with U20's

Well we won we won 42-17 .

Some of the comments of the blatantly newbie fans are hilarious...beat the European champions in their own back yard etc. Oh dear lord....erm hold those horses...they didn't have one of their first teamers out!!

Nevertheless a decent run out and some of the kids are getting essential gametime which they'll need for the coming season.

Its the front row boys im most curious to see how they got on.

We had Scott fardy on. Both our top scrum halves. Joe Tomane. James Lowe came on.

Newcastle defence was good. Ours was soft as sh1te at times.

Your th was binned near the end. After 6 penalty scrums on the 5m.