Newcastle Falcons - Premiership 2024 - 2025 - The Diamond Era

Director of Rugby (Non Rugby Matters): Matt Thompson
Head Coach & DOR (Rugby Matters): Steve Diamond
Performance Coach: Mark Laycock
Forwards Coach: Micky Ward
Defence Coach: Alan Dickens & Steve Diamond
Attack Coach: Alan Dickens
Lineout Coach: Scott Macleod
Breakdown: Micky Ward & Scott Macleod
Skills Coach: Mark Laycock
S&C: Tim Payne

Current Squad:

Hookers
Jamie Blamire (Leaving for tigers in summer)
Bryan Byrne
Ollie Fletcher (A)
Jacob Oliver (A)

Props
TH
Eduardo Bello
Murray MaCallum
Richard Palframan
Callum Hancock (A)

LH
Adam Brocklebank
Luin De Bruin
Mike Rewcastle (A)
Isaac Keller (A)
Connor Hancock (A)

Locks
Sebastian De Chaves
Kiran McDonald
Tim Cardall
Luke Coulston (A)
Adam Scott (A)
Fin Baker (A)

Back 5
Pedro Rubiolo
Philip van der Walt
John Kelly
John Hawkins

Back Row
Callum Chick
Josh Bainbridge
Tom Gordon
Freddie Lockwood
Ollie Leatherbarrow
Marcus Tiffin
Cameron Neild
[b]Reuben Parsons (A)
[b]Charlie Turnbull (A)

Scrum Halves
Sam Stuart
Hugh O'Sullivan
James Elliott
Max Pepper
Ben Douglas (A)
Joe Davis (A)

Fly Halves
Brett Connon
Kieran Wilkinson
Junior Newton (A)

Centres
Cameron Hutchison
Jack Metcalf
Sam Arnold
Connor Doherty (Season Loan from Sale)
Oli Spencer (A)
Rhys Beeckmans (A)

Wingers
Ben Stevenson
Alex Hearle
Adam Radwan
Nathan Greenwood (A)

Full Back
Tom Penny - To be confirmed staying or leaving
Louis Brown
Elliott Obatoyinbo
Ben Redshaw (A)

New page!

Yeah i thought it was time Sarge.

Hopefully we will have more entertaining rugby to talk about than moaning about the drivel we've had to watch over the last numerous years....

2019-20 SEASON STATS

TOP TRY-SCORERS
14 - Adam Radwan
12 - George McGuigan
9 - George Wacokecoke
7 - Ben Stevenson and Jamie Blamire

TOP POINTS SCORERS
87 - Toby Flood
70 - Adam Radwan
60 - George McGuigan
57 - Joel Hodgson
54 - Brett Connon

TOP APPEARANCE MAKERS (2019-20)
19 - Callum Chick
18 - Tom Arscott, Joel Hodgson and Jamie Blamire
17 - Trevor Davison and Sean Robinson
16 - Toby Flood, Sinoti Sinoti and George Wacokecoke

TOP BALL CARRIERS
95 – Tom Arscott
90 – George McGuigan
86 – Sinoti Sinoti
80 – Gary Graham
80 – Will Welch

TOP LINE-BREAKS MADE
14 – Adam Radwan
9 – Sinoti Sinoti
8 – Johnny Williams
7 – Tom Arscott
6 – Callum Chick

TOP SUCCESSFUL OFFLOADS
12 – Will Welch
9 – Tom Arscott
9 – George Wacokecoke
8 – Michael Young
6 – Johnny Williams

RUCKS HIT
160 Sean Robinson
158 Will Welch
154 Trevor Davison
151 Greg Peterson
125 Tom Arscott

TACKLES MADE
118 Gary Graham
107 Sean Robinson
103 Will Welch
99 Callum Chick
89 Toby Flood

DEFENSIVE TURNOVERS WON
18 Sean Robinson
11 Callum Chick
10 John Hardie
9 Gary Graham
9 Greg Peterson

DEFENSIVE DOUBLE EFFORTS
8 Callum Chick
7 Gary Graham
6 Will Welch
6 Gareth Owen
5 George McGuigan

GF/Sarge,

What are your hopes/expectations for next season. To be honest your squad looks pretty weak though if relegation is still a thing you only have to finish ahead of us, which unless we see improvements is not the hardest task in the world.

With the current squad LT, not finish bottom (which would be a serious challenge). With a few quality additions, outside the bottom 3 possibly and play with some kind of style/plan which we haven't done since our top 4 finish.

Survival has to be the first hope LT.

We have some very good players (academy players etc) who came good last season. They are totally unproven in the prem..but they have to be given the chance to prove themsevles.

We are very strong in some areas (hooker and back row) and very weak in others (full back, scrum half, loosehead prop) and unproven in many others (lock, tight head, centres)

My biggest concern is that we play the relegation survival rugby that doesnt match the type of players we have. We have to change the style and up the pace of the game. Unpredictability, heads up rugby, good lines of running and support play. If we do that...we might surprise a few and give ourselves a chance.

1st choice team as i think Dean will pick. Those highlighted in bold is my concern areas.  

1 Lockwood - Our LH's are Very poor
2 Mcguigan / Blamire
3 Ah You / Logo - Both VERY injury prone, and Tampin / Daniels unproven, though Daniels showed some promise
4 Robinson
5 Peterson - Unproven as are the other locks (Murray, Salmon) in our squad
6 Mark Wilson
7 Welch / Gary Graham / Hardie
8 De Walt

9 Young - Very Average
10 Connon - Great young player but unproven
11 Sinoti Age starting to have an effect
12 Toby Flood - Was past it 2 seasons ago - Wakecoke needs to be given this spot again
13 Matias Orlandi
14 Adam Radwan
15 Tom Arscott - Found his level last season - Championship

So you want a loosehead, lock, scrum half, a fullback and maybe a 12. Though you have already signed that 12 from Donny so maybe he'll play there. You've announced your signings yet so there's still chance you've acquired some quality. Currently that side looks like it'll be battling with Worcester and LI down towards the bottom. A good LH and lock to give you a set piece edge and then you should get a platform for your backs.

Yeah Lucock has been signed just not announced yet, and the communications manager has confirmed there are a number of senior players signed. One will be getting announced next week.

A big brusing beast of a lock would be nice.

We had two props in the England U18 side last season one of which Brantingham has been described as one of the best young LH's theyve seen in a long time. But he wont feature this season.

We shall see what they announced player wise...

Similar with our young loosehead then GF. We've got Whitcombe coming through and he was voted young player of the season out on loan in league 1 north or whatever it was. Won't help fill out the squad for this season at 19 though, most props take some building up. I'm hoping we announce another loosehead soon as well.

Is the Homer the scrum half rumour completely dead now?

Yeah apparently Homer is not coming here.

We do however have 2 cracking young England age group Scrum halves. One is Kelemeti...a young English lad of Fijian background...hes blistering...so i hope he gets some games this season. Hes class.

I also have this big debate with Flood.
He played 12 alot this season with Connon at 10. Connon is young, and whilst i think Flood is so past it...he was like a safety blanket at 12. Giving Connon confidence.

Lucock is a direct physical 12...and has actually played a bit of 10 aswell...so maybe he could be the answer.
And Wakecoke played exceptionally well last season in the centres...but can he step up?

Perhaps Flood will take up the 22 short for next season coming on at 10 or 12 as required to give an experienced hand finishing games. Has Joel Hodgson retired now? He looked the natural successor to the Falcons 10 shirt before the injuries.

formerly known as Sam wrote:So you want a loosehead, lock, scrum half, a fullback and maybe a 12. Though you have already signed that 12 from Donny so maybe he'll play there. You've announced your signings yet so there's still chance you've acquired some quality. Currently that side looks like it'll be battling with Worcester, Leicester and LI down towards the bottom. A good LH and lock to give you a set piece edge and then you should get a platform for your backs.

You missed a club out Sam

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:So you want a loosehead, lock, scrum half, a fullback and maybe a 12. Though you have already signed that 12 from Donny so maybe he'll play there. You've announced your signings yet so there's still chance you've acquired some quality. Currently that side looks like it'll be battling with Worcester, Leicester and LI down towards the bottom. A good LH and lock to give you a set piece edge and then you should get a platform for your backs.

You missed a club out Sam

I'm quite bullish of our ability to be in mid table mediocrity next season. Losing our England players for the first month of the season and part of pre season because the unions want cash won't help but we have the end of the previous season to experiment and get the new coaching plans on place. We should have both a bigger, nastier pack as well as far better coaching.

2 new signings to be announced this week (Tuesday and Friday) and a renewal.

Cool...any rumours of names/positions?

Nah..absolutely jot mate.

And apparently theres more signings to be announced after that aswell. They have done well to keep these completely under wraps.

The only one we know about who hasnt been announced is Pete Lucock the 12 from Doncaster.

So Lucock the first to be announced then?

Not sure Sam...we'll have to wait and see. Orlandi was announced before Lucock and we didnt know about him.

Well that one was all over Twitter and the rugby news sites. I suppose they had to either confirm or deny that one. Lucock isn't being given the same level of media attention.

Hes not the same level of player...but yes your right.
He could be a shrewd signing though, usually in the championship team of the year.....

Im just puzzled that there is litterally no hint of who we have signed. Normally you get something...but this time litterally nothing. Im thinking..more from the Jaguars or Id love to see a couple of bruising monsters come in from SA...

Lucock plus a massive Bok loosehead? That would help your squad look a bit better. Not sure which Pumas are still up for grabs, the French went shopping pretty hard there.

Yeah a huge Bok Loosehead would be very nice indeed.
Cant see it happening....

i think Charlie Wilson may have finished his uni studies at Durham now aswell..so he should be available full time.

Hes a seriously talented young centre...keep an eye out for him next season.

We have signed Italian Lock Marco Fuser

GeordieFalcon wrote:We have signed Italian Lock Marco Fuser

He's only 29 for some reason I had him at about 35. Good bit of experience to the second row. Could be a decent addition.

Yeah thats my thoughts Sam...could add a bit of steel and grunt in that engine room.

Solid signing, he's a big strong lad from what I remember, he'll add a bit of steel to the front 5.

1 Mulipola
2 Mcguigan / Cooper / Blamire
3 Ah you
4 Robinson
5 Fuser
6 Wilson
7 Hardie / Graham / Welch
8 De Walt

That pack is coming on..and its got a bit of steel in it!

De Chaves confirmed as away,

Radwan signs further extension of his contract. Brilliant news.

No real loss, not sure he's quite at Prem level. Great news on Radwan though, looking forward to him gasing a few this season!

A few good prop...one quality loosehead and the pack is competitive.

Agree Sgt, a big beast of a LH and ill be happy.

You know Sgt, if the league is ringfenced, and we really develop our kids properly...we could go from a position fo relegation fodder to a strong position.

Some of the kids are genuine class...just need plenty of gametime, which i dont think they would get if we were in a relegation battle.

That Matty Ward, the young winger is as rapid as Radwan, and the LH prop Brantingham is a real deal powerhouse prop we've been praying for.

Pete Lucock confirmed...

What would you current starting 15 be Sgt?

A few changes in the academy....

https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/senior-academy-squad-announced-for-2020-21-season

Very surprised to see Charlie Wilson the young 13 released.
Kelemeti promoted to the senior team..hes a classy yonug SH.

Matty Ward added...another brilliant young winger...and Brantingham..a prop with high hopes. But after Scotty Wilson crashed and burned...ill hold back my excitement.

Young Hooker Blamire has signed a new 3 year deal.

i think this is even better than Radwans extension. That lad can go all the way to the England squad...has the lot.

Gary Graham signs a new 3 year deal. Thats another great re-signing.
He's a your real deal angry Scottish flanker...

Defensive Stats added...showing what a defensive beast Sean Robinson is. Cracking second row!

We have Re-signed Tom Penny on a 2 year deal after his 6 months holiday to Harlequins.

The lad is a quality centre...but absolutely beasted with injuries. I can only hope he's finally over them..we really dont need any more sicknotes.

Tim Swiel confirmed as back to South Africa

GeordieFalcon wrote:Tim Swiel confirmed as back to South Africa

I always forget Swiel played in SA prior.

No great loss, a bit of a punt that failed to pay off.

No loss at all mate. We do need a full back now though. Arscott may have done well in the Champs...but ithink he found his level...and Tait is past it now. Slow.

Whats your thoughts on the SH debate going on, on the unoffy.

Some are saying we need another one brought in...as we have Young and Stuart as seniors.

But im arguing why when we have two England age group Sh's in Kelemeti and Pascoe who are just ripe to be given games. Another scrum half coming in will just take gametime away from them!

They all moan that the kids dont get games, and leave for other clubs, but then in situations like this...they dont back them.. Its such an odd site.

So Logo was out of contract signed for Glos and has now signed another contract with us for another season.

I hope we see more of the old Leicester rhino...rather than the underwhelming player we had...

EDIT:
Aparently we have signed someone for the Senior Academy who is VERY interesting. And its not on a University course either...he's training full time.

[www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk]
Falcons have signed a young Rugby League lad from Leeds Rhinos...son of former Welsh FH Colin Stephens.

“To begin with he will play on the wing while he re-acquaints himself with rugby union, but he has all the skills and capabilities to play full-back too in the longer term.

“He kicks goals, scores tries for fun and he’s a really evasive runner with outstanding athleticism

So a replacement for Josh Hodge...effectively.

GeordieFalcon wrote:[www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk]
Falcons have signed a young Rugby League lad from Leeds Rhinos...son of former Welsh FH Colin Stephens.

“To begin with he will play on the wing while he re-acquaints himself with rugby union, but he has all the skills and capabilities to play full-back too in the longer term.

“He kicks goals, scores tries for fun and he’s a really evasive runner with outstanding athleticism

So a replacement for Josh Hodge...effectively.

English, Welsh or currently undecided?

Probably welsh i would imagine.

Falcons academy going from strength to strength...

Last year we promoted the most from the U18 to the Senir Academy in our history. More again this year, this U18 team is amongst the most talented we have ever had, and now we have the most from a club in the U18 England squad.

https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/six-falcons-named-in-england-u18s-squad

Falcons have signed Natal Sharks scrum half Louis Schreuder

I do wonder what the point in having an academy when we have 2 cracking young kids waiting for gametime.

Luther Burrell? Really!!

I give up with Dean.

We need props and A full back