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)

Finally confirmed that Jon Welsh is training with another team.

No more front rows coming in.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Finally confirmed that Jon Welsh is training with another team.

No more front rows coming in.

Have they said who he is training with?

No, not a thing. But hes not with us anymore.

GeordieFalcon wrote:No, not a thing. But hes not with us anymore.

Probably for the best. He has not been fit for Newcastle over the last two years and that could be something neither side wants to release in terms of health.

Hopefully he can be revitalised elsewhere and Newcastle can get a good prop. Shame as Edinburgh has surplus in Bhatti (LH) and McCallum (TH) but after the experiences with Welsh I doubt Newcastle will want to risk it again!

Exactly, he was very good for us...but has missed effectively, two years of rugby.

I just hope we have enough in the front row...im just not convinced. Certainly at LH.

Mark Wilson announced new Captain. Obvious and great choice.

We have a real good core of leaders in their now. ..

Well we have signed Bedford Hooker , 21yo Robbie Smith.

The article also says that Kyle Cooper the South African hooker we have, has been switched over to Loosehead prop. Our new Bobby Vickers.

Why are Newcastle asking a soon to be 32 year old to swap position, weakening the hooker spot and leaving LH potentially undermanned?

Surely it is easier to find a LH with potential in the Championship than go through all this

They did it with Vickers to decent (not brilliant) effect. Clearly they see some value in it and i firmly believe Cooper is now 3rd choice behind Blamire and Mcguigan anyway. Add in big Maddison and this new lad at 21 year old...and we're set for hookers.

If he can scrummage...with his aggressive carrying he could be a interesting project.

Im not sure they are weakening the hooker spot to be honest. I think we're very strong there, and this young lad looks a pretty good prospect aswell.

Bateman was well into his twenties when he switched to be fair. Around 27 when he switched to tighthead then another year or two before he settled at loosehead. Younger than Cooper but well on the way through his career.

Bateman is a big bloke and was a good scrummaging hooker which will help the switch but both those definitely apply to Cooper as well. At the end of the day if it doesn't work Cooper won't forgot how to play hooker after years of it. It also opens up the possibility of him playing prop but throwing into the lineout if any of your hookers are struggling there.

It makes more sense than Ashley Johnson switching to hooker around the same age which I never got my head around given how good he was in the back row for Wasps.

Seem to recall Wasps doing the same with Tom Lindsay too.

I really don't understand how we have 8 hookers, 20 centres and abut 3 props. Deano is just getting worse and worse at recruitment. Burrell for gods sake??

Ah Tom Lindsay. He was an absolute bull in the loose but a dire hooker at set-piece. Arguably a casualty of England searching for athletic and high work rate back rows who had as many 'match involvements' as possible in terms of tackles, hitting rucks, etc. Prioritising volume of work of the effectiveness of it.

That seems to be changing again to be fair. Lindsay could have been a brutal Premiership blindside in a well balanced pack.

Listening to Semore Kurdi this morning, unless the purported "rescue" package being offered to sport gives sizeable funds to rugby, Falcons could be one of the handful of teams being predicted to go bust.

i have no doubt LT.

It not a good situation for many clubs...and other sports...half the football lower leagues are in trouble

Rumours are that Falcons, Worcester and Wasps are the most likely to go bust with no fans for at least the start of the 2020/21 season. The bigger issue for most clubs might not be when they can get some fans through the door at reduced capacity but rather when they can return to full capacity. As a Tigers fan it's the later, more medium term effect of long term reduced capacity that concerns me.

We've signed Sarries fh manu Vunipola on loan for a season

Quality addition. Should be the immediate starter

GeordieFalcon wrote:We've signed Sarries fh manu Vunipola on loan for a season

That's a brilliant signing for Falcons and Vunipola in my opinion. Lets the youngster show what he's got outside the Sarries systems and he's a much better 10 than any on your books.

Hasn't Brett Connon played a bit of fullback? Could be an answer at the back as well.

Newcastle have a senior squad of 48, yet does not have many bolted on internationals. At this point will there be a bit more of a quantity for quality exchange going on?

Vunipola is a quality young flyhalf. Expected him to decimate the Championship with Sarries but this opportunity will be more valuable experience for him. Falcons should be able to give him an experienced 9 and midfield to support him. Very good deal for Falcons.

Also raises the interesting question - though probably not one for this thread I'll admit - of whether more Sarries players will be going on loan given there's no start date for the Championship in sight.

Itoje, George and Daly have committed to Sarries long term but are undecided on whether they will take a loan or not. Similar with Taylor and Maitland who will presumably want game time to stay fit for Scotland selection.

Most clubs in the Premiership would take Kpoku for a season as well I'd imagine.

I find this a bit of an odd move.

We have Connon, who at 24 has nailed down the 10 shirt and looked impressive in doing so. We bring in Vunipola, who I presume will be looking to be a starter and potentially disregard Connon for a season?

We have a few options already in Flood and Hodgson....I'd have preferred Mako.

I doubt Flood will get many games Sgt. Hes so past it its unreal.

Hodgson is back up. No more. And Connon and Vunipola will share the duties.

Thats if we still gave a club to support after this utterly incompetent government dont finish us and many other clubs off first...

Connon might have nailed down the 10 shirt in the Championship but last time I saw him play in the Prem he looked very much squad material. Vunipola looks ready to lead a team. Given Falcons issues at 15 could we see;

9. Young
10. Vunipola
11. Radwan
12. Burrell
13. Orlandi
14. Sinoti Sinoti
15. Connon

Move the secondary playmaker to 15 to give the midfield some more physicality in the hope of suring up the defence. Gives you a tactical kicking option from the back as well. If Connon can get up to speed at 15 you could start moving him into 10 for more game time and develop him that way.

I like Connon, he's came on a lot. I'd much prefer us to be bedding our own players in than developing others....or at least get a prop!

It could be worse though....we could be Tigers ......at least we'll have some competition next season for the bottom spot, you boys are awful. I didn't think you could get any worse but you've proved me wrong yet again!

The sad fact is we are actually better than post lockdown. Our decision to play second teams to give experience and look after the players fitness has made things look worse because we haven't played anyone elses second team. Quite a long time still to go before we're competitive but we are so poor it will take time to rebuild as before lockdown we had no defence, lineout, cohesive attack, kick chase and definitive style of play. The coaching staff won't fix that overnight.

I think it'll be a four way scrap for the bottom of the table between us, you guys, Worcester and LI. Worcester are a good workman like side but lack top end talent. LI have a good starting 15 but no depth in quality. You guys look short in the tight five and our players look like we've only just met in the car park pre game. Gloucester could get pulled into the relegation scrap as well as they've not looked convincing at all this season.

Agree with that Sam. Insane mismanagement that has happened at Tigers over the years. As an outsider I've seen it happening for years.

JB from the eggchasers is very vocal on this...if you can look past his obvious dislike of the club.

I could do a whole thread on my own about the mismanagement at Tigers but basically boils down to not wanting to make tough decisions and taking the easy short term option. 

They didn't want to sack the old boys that were running the academy into the ground until it was a national embarrassment and other factors forced their arm, even then the board avoided taking direct action and palmed the job off onto Ged Glynn who oversaw a good change. 

Rather than risk upsetting the coaching structure they took the cost effective measure of giving Cockers the DOR job and MOC the head coach job despite them having no medium or long term plan. They barely had a plan that went beyond the next game. What we needed was someone who wasn't involved in the day to day coaching as the DOR providing a long term vision but that would have been expensive and difficult so they bottled it. Even when the realised the problem they just kept looking at head coaches to work with Cockers rather than demote Cockers.

That barely scratches the surface of the problems but for me are two of the cornerstone issues.

Still nothing confirmed with Manu Vunipola....

A recent interview with young FH Brett Connon seems to suggest no more signings...so hes probably not coming.

Well first game in 8 months! Teams up...

Newcastle Falcons team to face Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday, 3pm, Trailfinders Sports Club)

15 Tom Arscott
14 Adam Radwan
13 Luther Burrell
12 Joel Matavesi
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Michael Young (captain)

1 Adam Brocklebank
2 George McGuigan
3 Mark Tampin
4 Greg Peterson
5 Marco Fuser
6 Sean Robinson
7 Connor Collett
8 Gary Graham

Replacements

16 Darren Barry
17 Kyle Cooper
18 Logovi’i Mulipola
19 Rob Farrar
20 Will Welch
21 Matthew Ward
22 Toby Flood
23 Ben Stevenson
2 Charlie Maddison
3 Mike Daniels
8 Tom Marshall
9 Sam Stuart
12 Pete Lucock
15 Brett Connon

I heard it was a tight first half and then pretty disastrous second. What happened GF?

Ah its was a fitness session Sam.

Lots of new faces making debuts, lots of academy players...we made 12 changes at half time.
Not concerned about the game.

What i am concerned at though...is that we play bath in two weeks...is that enough time to get up to speed?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ah its was a fitness session Sam.

Lots of new faces making debuts, lots of academy players...we made 12 changes at half time.
Not concerned about the game.

What i am concerned at though...is that we play bath in two weeks...is that enough time to get up to speed?

I feel similar about Tigers playing Gloucester in 2 weeks and we aren't making the jump up after promotion, GF!

Not an ideal time for the Tigers squad to be training at home due to a covid outbreak at Oval Park. I'm feeling optimistic that Wigglesworth has signed as if we are going to play an ugly game plan then an experienced 9 whilst Youngs misses most the season will be important. Rumours we are trying to sign Luan de Bruin at tighthead are good to hear as well.

1.Brocklebank
2.McGuigan
3.Ah You
4.Fuser
5.Robinson
6.Wilson (c)
7.Hardie
8.van der Walt

9.Youngs
10.Hodgson

11.Sinoti
12.Burrell
13.Vuna
14.Radwan
15.Tait

16.Blamire
17.Cooper
18.Mulipola
19.Peterson
20.Graham
21.Schreuder
22.Flood
23.Matavesi

Reckon something like that is your first choice GF?

Like Deano knows what his first choice is Carlos....he's not selected the same side 2 games in a row since he got here!

Perhaps the one good news for Falcons and Tigers is that right now it looks as though there will be no relegation at the end of the season.

LondonTiger wrote:Perhaps the one good news for Falcons and Tigers is that right now it looks as though there will be no relegation at the end of the season.

Sounding like Sarries and Ealing coming up to a ringfenced league.

As said before I wouldn't mind ringfencing for a short time period such as 5 years to help financial stability, stop the yo-yo-ing and allow the Championship clubs to develop. The only way that would work is if the RFU invested in the Championship though which it isn't - much the opposite even before coronavirus.

Ringfencing indefinitely will just lead to a lot more meaningless games and a less interesting league. In my opinion we had a decent sneak preview of it during the congested restart.

I wonder if Cornish Pirates will have anything to say about Ealing getting promoted as well...

Yeah i have seen those rumours aswell...

That would be interesting. It would save our bacon.
i think our coaches are on borrowed time. Micky Ward the scrum coach and that prancing namby pamby the lineout coach.. in particular.

As to first choice: I think its difficult this season. We have new players and some that are clearly on the wane now..Sinoti being the big one there.

I think Deano's go to will be something like: Some positions as you will see...are very unclear...

1 Logo
2 McGuigan / Blamire rotating
3 Ah You / Daniels rotating
4 Robinson
5 Fuser / Peterson rotating
6 Wilson / Graham / Hardie Rotating
7 Welch / Graham / Hardie rotating
8 De Walt

9 Young
10 Connon / Flood / Hodgson - ??
11 Sinoti
12 Flood / Lucock / Wakecoke - ??
13 Orlandi / Burrell / Penny / Stevenson - ??
14 Radwan
15  Arscott

Is Cooper Vuna injured long term or just out of favour GF?

I completely forgot about Orlandi. He's a good signing for you.

I'd honestly completely forgotten about Welch too which is embarrassing given I rate him really highly. I was hopefully Tigers would pinch him years back when we seemed to be after him during every contract renewal!

Cooper Vuna shattered his collar bone / Shoulder in his first game for us last season. I believe he is recovered but im not sure to what extent...

We have two young wingers who i have very high hopes of Matty Ward and Morgan Passman. So i hope they get gametime this season. Passman would have got some last season but suffered a horrible injury early on in the season. But apparently he is fully recovered and ready to go. He reminds me of a Ben Cohen type winger.

Yeah Orlandi should be a good signing...and we have signed that South African scrum half aswell..who i keep forgetting about. Louis Schreuder

Welch is a good solid player but seems injury prone at the moment. But thats because hes the type of player who puts his head in places he shouldnt. I guess like Lewis Moody.

Newcastle Falcons team v Ealing Trailfinders (Friday, 3pm, Kingston Park Stadium)

15 Tom Penny
14 Adam Radwan
13 Luther Burrell
12 Toby Flood
11 Ben Stevenson
10 Brett Connon
9 Michael Young (captain)

1 Trevor Davison
2 George McGuigan
3 Logovi’i Mulipola
4 Greg Peterson
5 Darren Barry
6 Sean Robinson
7 Josh Basham
8 Gary Graham

Replacements
16 Bailey Ransom
17 Kyle Cooper
18 Rodney Ah You
19 Rob Farrar
20 Connor Collett
21 Matthew Ward
22 Joel Matavesi
23 Pete Lucock
1 Adam Brocklebank
2 Jamie Blamire
3 Mark Tampin
8 Tom Marshall
9 Sam Stuart
10 Joel Hodgson
15 Tom Arscott

And Confirmed that Nemani Negusa has left

Well farewell Sinoti...announced as leaving today for personal reasons.

What a player...

2 big earners off the bill at least.

Negusa never really lived up to his potential, which is a shame. Sinoti though, what a player over the years...one of our finest ever imports. He's lost a bit of pace over the last few seasons but he will be missed.

Will go down as one of the club greats...but he was definitely on the wane Sgt...and Negusa is no loss in my opinion.

However that leaves us with

Radwan
Cooper Vuna - Whos played one game for us and been out for a season
Ben Stevenson - Whos a centre / Winger and never played this level
Alex Tait - Slow as Feck Full back who dean loves putting on the wing
Tom Arscott - Who is first choice full back

Then the talented kids
Passman - Whos never played a senior game for us and recovering from a nasty injury
Matty Ward - Brilliant young England U18 winger who might get some gametime
Iwan Stephens - Young league convert - Fb but will play wing as he gets used to the game
Obonna - Big unit but a centre normally. Has played wing a few times for the U20 and academy etc.

I would say there is definitely space for another Winger/FB.

I think he'll have to Sgt.

i rate the kids VERY highly...but you need some experience in there. Vuna could be that but we dont know what the crack is with him,

It is weird to see Newcastle so bare at wing considering Goneva, Sinoti, M Watson and Kibirige were all on the books not so long ago.

Wing is a position where young guys can come in and be effective more rapidly than the pack, but it is not like the investment has gone into the front five

Looks like Newcastle are expecting ringfencing to come in and trying to figure out a financial future without fans for a season

What investment would that be Hazel?

To be fair Orlando looks a very solid signing who should bring something in the centres. The only area I can see us being competitive is the backrow, past that we're relegation fodder with Deano's tactics.

Orlando is on a hiding to nothing. He'll get no ball!

Hazel...mark my words the kids on the wing are special...but inexperienced. He'll have no choice but to play some of them this season.

Matty Ward and Morgan Passman are both 6 foot plus and hitting 15st+ already at 19 -20 year old so not lightweight like Adam Radwan is.

I would give them games!

But Sgt is right...its the tactics and system that dean employs that is the issue

GeordieFalcon wrote:Orlando is on a hiding to nothing. He'll get no ball!

Someone has to crash the ball into contact on the out to in angle right?