Newcastle Falcons - 2019 to 2020 Championship - Closed

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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

Davidson has had difficult nailing down playing time at Glasgow and whilst we are losing J Gray, we are adding Nakarawa. The numbers game for Glasgow and Edinburgh second rows is tough at the moment. Already seen Cam Henderson move back to Leicester as he probably has more chance breaking through there.

Would Davidson be welcomed back? Also what is the story with Hardie? Is he still with you?

Davidson would probably be welcomed back actually. He showed huge promise and was performing well. Its a shame he's not getting his games up there.

He didnt leave in a bad way or anything, we all knew he was a glasgow lad and were happy to see him get a shot at his home side.

Hardie is with us. Back row is our strongest area. We could probably put out 3 back rows that i think could compete very well in the prem.

Same old really GF. Too many average players on long contracts.

How many of our current squad would make any another Prem XV? Not many....possibly Wilson, DW, Radwan and William's?

As Sam says, front 5 needs quality. 2 loose, 1 tight head, a top lock for starters.

In the backs, Wigglesworth would help the lack of quality at 10, although I'd take Burns. Another centre and winger would be needed too.

I just wish we'd have blooded some of the youngsters like Hodge in the Championship rather than playing Arscott....Deano is so out of touch these days.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Same old really GF. Too many average players on long contracts.

How many of our current squad would make any another Prem XV? Not many....possibly Wilson, DW, Radwan and William's?

As Sam says, front 5 needs quality. 2 loose, 1 tight head, a top lock for starters.

In the backs, Wigglesworth would help the lack of quality at 10, although I'd take Burns. Another centre and winger would be needed too.

I just wish we'd have blooded some of the youngsters like Hodge in the Championship rather than playing Arscott....Deano is so out of touch these days.

I genuninely dont understand why that lad has had no gametime at all...perfect time in the championship.

So looks like we have signed Peter Lucock the Doncaster centre.

Low key, but actually might not be a bad signing.

Don't know much about the lad but a position we're a little light in. Hopefully he will be joined by some quality too.

Have we started announcing signings officially?

No its just one i noticed, and when i did i little search noticed the club he coaches actually posted in March that he has definately signed for us.

https://roundhegians.rfu.club/news/roundhegians-newsletter-2

If he can match the signing of say JP socino from Rotherham...that would be a good one

Not seen him play but looking at his stats he's played a lot of Championship rugby and at 6 ft and north of 15 stone he isn't small. At 27 he should be at his peak. Could be a good signing.

We desperately need some linebreaking ability from the midfield. We've been missing that since JP Socino left.

Doesn't Johnny Williams offer that when fit? I assume this signing is to rotate with Williams in the 12 shirt as you've got some young options at 13 don't you?

Not with the escalating rumours that Johnny is off to the Scarlets.

Edit, Sorry yes Johnny does do that, but he has missed big chunks of games since he's been here.

JP has been the last consistant centre for us who played all games and consitanly broke the gainline to create things.

If Johnny can get fit and play every game..then he's another animal altogether.

https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/latest-news/36462/i-knew-this-would-be-my-last-season-at-newcastle-and-theres-comfort-in-that-says-italy-bound-john-wells/

A candid interview with John Wells there about leaving Falcons and the struggles with budget cuts after reaching the playoffs.

He largely has a very good reputation in coaching so I wouldn't be surprised if he returns to professional rugby after a break in Italy.

Yeah we knew about the interview previously KC.

What can we say...Seymore Kurdi is losing 3m a year. Falcons fans know how bad it is at the moment. has been for a good few years.

There are rumours, this consortium taking over at St james, wants the rugby team aswell. that may be a chink of light...otherwise, i think we're in trouble.

I can't believe this forum is still up

I seen the Jonny Williams news today and it is disappointing and I'm only expecting more players out the door following the Covid pandemic.

Still going Driver lol.

Yeah looks like Johnny is away to Scarlets.

Is he confirmed as leaving Falcons?

Not yet, but all staff are on furlough.

Clearly Wales have now targeted him and looks like a deal will be done.

We are in financial trouble...

So are the Welsh clubs by the sounds of it. Unsurprising that they've gone after him. They are targeting anyone with Welsh heritage that shows talent.

Yeah he'll be a good target for them...IF he can get some consistent gametime and really show his ability for prolonged periods.

Johnny Williams was highly touted and has been really hindered by injuries/cancer. Don't blame the Welsh going after him, he has the talent to become an international if, as GF says, he can stay fit.

Has the CVC deal been done for the Premiership? I assumed Newcastle would have got an even portion of the money.

I think as shareholders Newcastle should have had CVC and Saracens fine money. It's a tough time for a lot of clubs. Tigers reckon they have lost £400k per missed home game. That starts to add up fast particularly when BT will be expecting more games or a refund for this season. Rugby clubs are not wealthy and many don't have someone willing to write blank cheques.

Yeah there are some serious financial implications following this. We'll only know the full extent once we get back to some kind of normality.

Fingers crossed we're ok...but time will tell.

BT have already made the final payment for this season to PRL in full and early to help the clubs. A huge show of faith from them and one few of us expected in the circumstances!

If we do lose Johnny and we go in to the season with these centres, we could be in trouble...

Gareth Owen,
Peter Lucock (New Signing if still going ahead)
Ben Stevenson
George Wacokecoke

Flood - Can cover 12

Charlie Wilson (Senior Academy - At Durham Uni),
Chidera Obonna (Senior Academy)

None of those would get into any other Prem 23....interesting times ahead!

Yeah i would tend to agree Sgt.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:None of those would get into any other Prem 23....interesting times ahead!

We are currently 11th by virtue of Sarries cheating and they wouldn't get in our second choice midfield.

Real concerns coming out now that the delay and finishing of the current season if it starts in August...will mean we dont play a game in such a long time...

It could finish us off financially...

Simon Uzokwe confirmed as transferred to Ealing.

Josh Hodge is now confirmed to Exeter.

Sadly the falcons are going to lose fans...due to the sheer lack of ambition. Whats the point bringing through kids like this...and they dont even play a game for us!!!

Hodge looks like a great talent.

Is Uzokwe considered a loss GF?

Must be a very frustrating and worrying time to be a Falcons fan.

Nah mate Uzokwe wasnt a loss...27.

We have a host of kids coming through who are already better..all though they'll probably all be let go.

Having calmed down a tad over Hodge..you can get decent full backs and wingers all over....and in truth if the club announced 2/3 absolute monstrous demolition job front rowers....id probably get over hodge quite quickly.
But i cant see that happening...

I'm sure Deano will have identified the 32 year old one legged ex league winger/full back who can come in and be 'solid' instead.

Really getting worried about being competitive next season...

The average age of our back three is 30. If you take out Radwan, it is getting on for 32! It is frankly ridiculous that the majority of what should be our quickest and most dynamic players could reasonably expect to retire before the season even starts! It is just so stodgy.

The thing is, if they were providing reliable back up for a raft of exciting young talent it would be just about acceptable, but players like Hodge are voting with their feet. He should have been our first choice, rather than going down to Exeter to sit behind Hogg, waiting for the international window(s) to open. It sends such a damning message to people like Radwan.

Our back 3 options are not great:

Wing:
Sinoti - Past it now...
Cooper Vuna: I actually like him..and is a good powerful "battering ram" on the wing
Radwan: A class act
Morgan Passman (Senior Academy) - 19 yo, Injured all last season, but a genuine hope..

Others:
Tait: A full back who was Too slow years ago to cover wing...but Dean still plays him there!
Stevenson: I much prefer him at 13.
Arscott: Average FB who covers wing

Full back:
Swiel: Barely played
Arscott: Starting FB - Average at best
Tait: Past it.

PS - I fully expect to see Radwan at a bigger club the season after this one coming up....

GeordieFalcon wrote:Nah mate Uzokwe wasnt a loss...27.

We have a host of  kids coming through who are already better..all though they'll probably all be let go.

Having calmed down a tad over Hodge..you can get decent full backs and wingers all over....and in truth if the club announced 2/3 absolute monstrous demolition job front rowers....id probably get over hodge quite quickly.
But i cant see that happening...

Didn't realise Uzokwe was that old - felt like he was a bright young thing coming through. At that age then yes, feels like no big loss.

Yeah..he showed lots of potential over the last few years but never seemed to get any regular gametime.

But i suppose i back row is amongst the best in the league...so he is going to struggle.

And then we have a host of 19-20 year olds who are England and Scotland Age group capped...and some have already played a few games for us...then his chances were probably limited. So a move makes sense.

Really do feel for you guys. Have you been linked with anyone of note to come in?

Only have two players named which their clubs have confirmed but we havent yet.

A centre and scrum half from the championship.

Again..we have THREE England age group scrum halves...not one was played in the championship...?? So why then do we sign a championship scrum half???

This is why so many are now getting quite vocal about Deans leadership. i think his time maybe coming.

I feel slightly for Dean in that he has been working with a limited budget for a number of years, but on the flip side I think the 4th placed finish did mask some limitations, primarily an over-reliance on magic from Goneva and Sinoti.

From an Irish perspective, I really feel that changing the coaches that got us relegated (both times around) was a positive step. The first time it didn't work out, but the second time it did. I would therefore have thought relegation would have been a good time to clear decks at Newcastle, but I think the fear of Ealing probably made that feel like a risky option at the time.

SirBurger wrote:I feel slightly for Dean in that he has been working with a limited budget for a number of years, but on the flip side I think the 4th placed finish did mask some limitations, primarily an over-reliance on magic from Goneva and Sinoti.

From an Irish perspective, I really feel that changing the coaches that got us relegated (both times around) was a positive step. The first time it didn't work out, but the second time it did. I would therefore have thought relegation would have been a good time to clear decks at Newcastle, but I think the fear of Ealing probably made that feel like a risky option at the time.

I'd add Sonatane Takulua to that. He's a fantastic player, one of the most underrated scrum-halves in rugby in my opinion. Also a very solid goal kicker.

Having Goneva and Sinoti running lines off Takulua around the fringes of rucks was a match made in heaven. In Goneva's first season with Falcons I remember watching them against Tigers and just wondering whether our lads remembered playing with Niki. He was just tearing our fringe defence to pieces.

There's elements of strength in Falcons squad still I think. Graham, Hardie, Welch and Phil van der Walt is the making of a good back row in the matchday 23. Particularly with Chick coming through too. McGuigan and Cooper are very good hookers. Then Rodney Ah You seems to have found his best form in years for Falcons. Jon Welsh's injury problems have been a blow though, he was very good for Falcons when fit.

I think Radwan and Vuna are very good wingers and if used for impact Sinoti still has magic footwork. Johnny Williams would be a huge loss if he moves to a region though.

Centre and scrum-half look a long way off Prem quality though. Probably second row too. Albeit I rate Sean Robinson if he can find his best form. How have Toby Salmon and Seb de Chaves been doing for you GF?

SirBurger wrote:I feel slightly for Dean in that he has been working with a limited budget for a number of years, but on the flip side I think the 4th placed finish did mask some limitations, primarily an over-reliance on magic from Goneva and Sinoti.

From an Irish perspective, I really feel that changing the coaches that got us relegated (both times around) was a positive step. The first time it didn't work out, but the second time it did. I would therefore have thought relegation would have been a good time to clear decks at Newcastle, but I think the fear of Ealing probably made that feel like a risky option at the time.

I'd add Sonatane Takulua to that. He's a fantastic player, one of the most underrated scrum-halves in rugby in my opinion. Also a very solid goal kicker.

Having Goneva and Sinoti running lines off Takulua around the fringes of rucks was a match made in heaven. In Goneva's first season with Falcons I remember watching them against Tigers and just wondering whether our lads remembered playing with Niki. He was just tearing our fringe defence to pieces.

There's elements of strength in Falcons squad still I think. Graham, Hardie, Welch and Phil van der Walt is the making of a good back row in the matchday 23. Particularly with Chick coming through too. McGuigan and Cooper are very good hookers. Then Rodney Ah You seems to have found his best form in years for Falcons. Jon Welsh's injury problems have been a blow though, he was very good for Falcons when fit.

I think Radwan and Vuna are very good wingers and if used for impact Sinoti still has magic footwork. Johnny Williams would be a huge loss if he moves to a region though.

Centre and scrum-half look a long way off Prem quality though. Probably second row too. Albeit I rate Sean Robinson if he can find his best form. How have Toby Salmon and Seb de Chaves been doing for you GF?

Yes, fair call on Takulua. He was very good that season and is generally a very decent player.

Takalua is a class act at 9.

Salmon didn't play one game due to injury KC..and De Chaves was only on a one year contract. Didnt do much.

Barry only played a couple of games..but it was mostly Robinson and The huge american Peterson at lock. They were very good indeed...but the question will be can Peterson perform like that in the prem. Its a massive jump
We know Robinson can.

Our back row will match anyone in the prem...i have no doubts about that and yes Ah You seems to have found some genuine form here. Loosehead is a massive issue

Backs are a problem i think...we have some talent but we have no idea how theyll perform in the prem until we see it

Didn't Irish also sign like 10 internationals?
I'm sure that gives a increase in morale.


It's a shame Brantingham is only 18 he's most likely one of the best Looseheads in the academy league recently.

Theres still the question marks over these aswell...

Jon Welsh - Will he ever play again?? If not why are we paying him when we have such a bad financial situation...
Logo Mulipola - Rumours he was away
Johnny Williams - The Welsh rumours
Sebastian de Chaves - Rumours he only had a one year deal

Johnny Williams confirmed to Scarlets now aswell.

i just hope that rignfencing is coming in...and we know about it and we're just going to blood all the kids with a few championsip signings.

If relegation is still in place...we're already gone before a game kicks off next season.

Logo Mulipola confirmed as away now. No loss there.

So Williams confirmed to Scarlets now.

Agrentinian Centre Matias Orlandi aparently on the radar and Lucock signed from the Championship.

One more decent centre and ill be ok with that.

Orlandi
Lucock
Joel Matavesi
Gareth Owens (Id get shot of him)
Wakecoke
Stevenson
Obonna (Cant wait to see this lad really mature and develop his power)
Charlie Wilson

Cooper Vuna can cover centre aswell.

Guess we can throw Flood in that list as well GF at 12. Although lacking in quality (Orlandi aside), I'd go with that. It's going to be a very strange season coming up...some sides are looking extremely weak (Tigers, Wuss etc) and some look even stronger! (Sale, Exeter).