Newcastle Falcons - Premiership 2024 - 2025 - The Diamond Era

First topic message reminder :

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)

Hazel Sapling wrote:You would keep Jon Welsh GF? Solid TH when fit, however unfortunately struggled on that front.

Currently have 9 props in the senior squad which seems overkill considering none are threatening international honours. Kyle Cooper could be another to move on.

Sorry no, i forgot to add him...Welsh has to be moved on aswell.

Cooper i like but your right if hes a LH prop im not convinced....

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Looking at the front row from the outside;

Hooker - McGuigan, Blamire, Maddison, Smith. Outside the first two looks a bit weaker but passable enough. Could maybe move Kyle Cooper back to hooker but might depend on budget.

Loosehead - Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank, Trevor Davison, Kyle Cooper. Looking at that I don't see Premiership quality looseheads there. Davison and Brocklebank might be ok if they were back up a bit of real quality.

Tighthead -  Rodney Ah You, Logo Mulipola, Mark Tampin, Mike Daniels, Jon Welsh. Well that's less tightheads and more physio fodder. Tampin looked decent in the Championship so might be good to keep as a back up and Mulipola can play both sides so that's beneficial. I thought Ah You looked good for you guys when he was fit.

So what two tightheads and a loosehead?

LH - X, Davison, Brocklebank
TH - X, X, Tampin
Both - Mulipola

Do you think there's much chance of that? Maybe if you've got a scout with good knowledge of the Championship and South Africa.

Davison (which much surprise) has performed outstandingly this season to be fair and has proved himself more than capable. Our scrum on the whole has got the better of the opposition with him and Mulipola playing.....after that though, its a bit of a shambles.

Brocklebank is 25, so possibly worth sticking with, but a quality addition is much needed to alternate with Davison.

TH is a bit more of a mess. Past Mulipola, Welsh is a shadow and needs to go, Ah You is good but always injured, Tampin hasn't showed anything and Daniels is not good enough.

If you think Tampin & Daniels are on 60-100k? Welsh and Ah You, possibly 100k each? You're getting up to 300/350k.

The thing is...we have Conrad Cade and Oscar Caudle in the academy...Caudle is a huge tight head. He played for tynedale at 18 year old. He's not even had a sniff of gametime in the prem yet. Now im not saying a starter or regular...but just to get an idea of what its like...

I agree with both of you.

Our academy LH's are probably a full season away from being promoted..Cade isnt far off. Id be looking to get him gametime now and next season. Brantingham is a beast aswell though...very highly rated by the England group. He needs to be pushed on.

LH - New Signing, Davison, Brocklebank, Cooper? (Brantingham & Cade - Academy both ready for gametime)
TH - New Signing, Logo Mulipola,  Tampin, Caudle - Academy Ready for Gametime now..

It depends how ready Caudle is to be a good support if we bring in two Tight heads or one.

Prop is somewhere you don't throw the kids in imo. They'll be able to see in training if they're even close to being up to it, I would suspect not.

No you dont...i agree completely...but you need to bring them in at some point...and use them as support. Otherwise when do you play them....when they are 25 and never played?

We bring players through TOO late Sgt...

Whilst partly I'd agree you don't want players that are too young forced into playing games they aren't ready for there's a lot to be said for drip feeding in the right youngster. Joe Heyes has just turned 22 and has more than 6p appearances for Tigers. We've seen James Whitcombe the England under 20s loosehead make his debut at 19 in Europe this season. He played lower league senior rugby last season and is now being drip fed game time in the same way Heyes was at about 30 minutes a time and not back to back weeks.

It's easier to do if you can put them in a stable platform. If you've got a high quality prospect then giving him some game time here and there this season should be the best option.

Exactly Sam...Dean Richards holds players back...WAY too long.

If you bring in some real quality starting props, mix it with Logo, Davison (who really has been excellent as Sgt said) etc...and have a pack that contains Fuser, Mguigan, Fearns, Wilson, Chick etc...then theres some real power there...you can give the youngsters 10 mins here and there...to see how they cope.

Its the same with the backs.

This is why im getting very frustrated this season...and i really dont see much changing next season.

The following are potentially out of contract this summer...thats quite a number of players, but most i would probably not renew...and look to rebuild the squad. ..

Front row in particular could be depleted...but then you could rebuild that area completely.

Hookers
Charlie Maddison 2021 (I would re-sign as a solid back up)

Props
Rodney Ah You 2021 - (I would release as too injury prone)
Adam Brocklebank - Unknown - (I would re-sign)
Mike Daniels 2021 -  (I would release as too injury prone)
Sam Lockwood 2021 - (I would release as too injury prone)
Mark Tampin 2021 - (I would re-sign as squad back up)
Jon Welsh 2021 - (I would release as too injury prone)

Locks
Greg Peterson 2021 - (I would re-sign)
Toby Salmon 2021 - (I would release as too injury prone)

Back Row
Connor Collett 2021 - (I would re-sign)
Santiago Grondona 2021 - Gone already doubt he'll be back
John Hardie 2021 - (I would release)

Scrum Halves
Louis Schreuder 2021 - (I would release)
Sam Stuart 2021 - (i would re-sign)

Fly Halves
Brett Connon 2021 (I would re-sign as squad player)
Joel Hodgson - Unknown (i would re-sign as squad player)

Centres
Gareth Owen 2021 - ( I would release)
Ben Stevenson - Unknown - (i would re-sign)
Joel Matavesi - Unknown - ( I would release)

Wingers
Mateo Carreras 2021 - (i would re-sign)
Cooper Vuna 2021 - ( I would release)

So thats 11 players potentially that can be released (those in bold) ...some replaced with the academy...others replaced with a bit more quality and less injury prone players...

Props
Rodney Ah You - Replace with injury free quality / young tough nut looking to make their name
Mike Daniels - Replace with injury free quality / young tough nut looking to make their name
Sam Lockwood - Replace with injury free quality / young tough nut looking to make their name
Jon Welsh - Replace with injury free quality / young tough nut looking to make their name

Locks
Toby Salmon - Rumoured to be bringing Jeremy Jordaan in.

Back Row
Santiago Grondona - Rob Farrar has been promoted to 1st team from Academy
John Hardie - Josh Basham has been promoted to the 1st team from the Academy

Scrum Halves
Louis Schreuder - Use Kelemeti, Blackett and Pascoe! All great young academy SH's

Fly Halves
Bring in one real quality 10

Centres
Gareth Owen - Replace with Obonna from the academy
Joel Matavesi - Replace with Zach Kerr from the Academy

Wingers
Cooper Vuna 2021 - Replace with Matty Ward, Morgan Passman, Zach Kerr,

Matty Ward broke his leg in Saturdays game at KP...Falcons A team v England U 20s.

He was playing for England.

Ben Stevenson contract extended 2 years

Brett Connon signs a new one year deal
He's slowly putting in some very assured performances...wonder why its only a one year deal...

Greg Peterson signs a new 2 year deal...he's been genuinely very good for us this season...great to keep him on.

Connon and the club might have been a distance apart in valuation. Agree a short term deal and then reconvene if he's been able to take ownership of the 10 shirt. There's not really a great supply of quality readymade flyhalfs about and we know Deano isn't a fan of nurturing through youngsters so Falcons don't have a mass of options.

He's pretty much made the shirt his own this season...and all of a sudden hes developed an understanding with Schreuder thats become very impressive.

We have another young lad in the U20's Haydon-Wood who looks very good. So he'll probably get gametime next season, but aside from bringing someone in....its Connons shirt.

I've not been overly impressed with Connon and at 24/25, a 1 year deal makes sense. If he continues this recent decent form over next season....he'll get another deal.

If you'd have asked me a few weeks ago, I would have said let him go.

i think alot would have agreed with you Sgt.

Callum Chick signs a new 2 year contract...

So thats Stevenson, Connon, Peterson and Chick...in the last few days. Good stuff.

Just need to get shot of Hardie, Cooper Vuna, Owens, Arscott etc...and put the money in the TH and possibly 10.

Or maybe just buy a scrum machine.

George Wacokecoke signs a new three year deal...great news

New Contract - 2 years for Mark Tampin, tight head prop.
New Contract - 1 year for Connor Collett - flanker.

Talented young winger Mateo Carreras signs a new one year extension.

He had his moment of madness, which im sure has been repeatedly drilled into is a huge No no.

He's a very talented player...lets hope next season he shows how good he is.

So looks like this was Van Der Walt's last home game.

So the first of the leavers we are aware of.

Gareth Owens announced his retirement, and another being announced tomorrow.

And De Walt is not leaving.

Sam Stuart signs a new contract

So rumours about a 24 year old Connacht prop...COnnor Kelly

And John Hardie retires.

We do have a great history with Irish props....

We never quite seen the best of Hardie I thought, shame really.

COmpletely agree, Hardie has been a failure really. Not seen anything like his top form.

Ill hold judgement on the prop until its confirmed and we see him in action.

Our propping history is not littered with success stories....

I don't think Hardie ever fully recovered from the ban for cocaine use. Some of his form early on with Edinburgh and Scotland was fantastic. He never had the link play of some opensides but his defensive and breakdown work was top class back then.

He's spoken a fair bit about how tough the ban was mentally, how ashamed he felt, feeling he'd let his parents down, etc. Yes, some will say he's just saying what he needs to there but having seen and read a few of those sort of interviews I think he's being sincere over it.

The ban, never played international rugby again, released by Edinburgh, due to be signed by Clermont, back injury, Clermont back out of the deal. A lot happened in around 12 months before he joined Falcons. I'm not sure he ever fully recovered mentally from it.

Yeah your probably right KC

One of Deans big policies is to try and rehab injury prone players or players such as Hardie.

Some he gets a bit of success with but alot he doesnt.

Well the clear out and reshape has begun an predicted. Is the prop loose or tight?

Tight head Sam....a bit of an unknown. Hes a big unit though...6' and over 20 stone...so we'll see.

Apparently he is a done deal...and there is another prop who is also a done deal...no idea as to whom yet.

2 new signings to be announced today and 2 more ready to be announced.

Considering we have barely had any rumours, bar the Jeremy Jordaan one, i wonder who they can be. Conor Kenny the Irish prop definitely seems to be one of them.

I'm not getting overly excited in the current climate tbh.

I think it'll be:

Earle - Winger
Jordaan - Lock (Like this one)
Kenny - Prop (Unsure)
A.N.Other

Falcons have signed Worcester pair Prop Richard Palfrman and Lock George Merrick

Cant say im not underwhelmed....

Jeez....2 players that can't get into the worst side in the league, go Dean!

Yeah thats my initial thoughts Sgt.

You never know...maybe in a settled side they can show up well.

Considering Wuss are releasing Nic Schonert and someone like Marco Mama, would have much preferred them.

Theo Brophy-Clewes had signed for Falcons before having to retire far to early last month according to quotes from Dean.

Yeah it was mentioned the other day Sam. So clearly he is looking to address the 10 spot aswell.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yeah it was mentioned the other day Sam. So clearly he is looking to address the 10 spot aswell.

Shame for the lad because he had talent and his style was somewhat reminiscent of Flood so he would have been the ideal mentor. Hopefully you've managed to find another candidate instead.

Well ironically Brett Connon is just starting to come good. Its taken time as hes 25...but the last part of the season (as Newcastle have opened up our game more) he has been pretty good.

And we have a 20 year old who looks really impressive.

But i suspect Dean wants another more experienced guy. Flood is a coach now, Hodgson is excelling finally as a full back when he gets his games...so we are short.

Connor Kenny, Tight Head prop from Connacht confirmed.

No pedigree but let's hope the lad comes good.

No predigree, no videos, has he even played for Connacht in the last 2 years?

I guess we'll have to see on his performances for us Sgt.

Joel Matavesi has retired from Pro Rugby

GeordieFalcon wrote:No predigree, no videos, has he even played for Connacht in the last 2 years?

I guess we'll have to see on his performances for us Sgt.

To be fair I think the same was true about Tadgh Beirne when he signed for the Scarlets & he didn't turn out too bad.

At 25, Joel Matavesi is young to be giving it up if there was a premiership contract available. Where was it announced?

With wages dropping, hopefully Newcastle can pull in some talent. Wasps have seemingly rotated its prop stocks, looking for top performers in the Championship and I am surprised Newcastle have not been a bit more aggressive in looking for players like that.

As for fly-halves, everyone seemingly wants more. Who is around who would be reasonable for Newcastle to get?

To be honest Matavesi wasn really standing out.

I think with Stevenson (currently excelling on the wing) actually a centre and with Wakecoke a cracking centre, and Obonna another centre coming through Matavesi's time would have been limited.

With ringfencing pretty much given next two years, i think Dean will really unleash the kids...

Passman, Ward and Stephens for the back three..
Stevenson, Wakecoke and Obonna edging to the midfield over the next year or two.

Hazel Sapling wrote:At 25, Joel Matavesi is young to be giving it up if there was a premiership contract available. Where was it announced?

With wages dropping, hopefully Newcastle can pull in some talent. Wasps have seemingly rotated its prop stocks, looking for top performers in the Championship and I am surprised Newcastle have not been a bit more aggressive in looking for players like that.

As for fly-halves, everyone seemingly wants more. Who is around who would be reasonable for Newcastle to get?

Well thats the question....

Id stick with Connon at the moment, he's come through well in the last 1/4 of the season. We also need to give Haydon Wood gametime now. 20 year old and looks a gem.

Theres plenty of 10's around the world i suspect would be great for us, and its a buyers market at the moment i would say.

Trevor Davison now signs a new 3 year deal. He's improving well, and worth the contract.

His little stint with the England squad might just help his game aswell.

Whats happened with Robinson? Is it an ACL or something more minor?