Newcastle Falcons 2015 / 2016

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: Micky Ward
Defence Coach: John Wells
Attack Coach: Dave Walder
Lineout Coach: Scott Macleod
Skills Coach: Mark Laycock

Current Squad (A= Academy):
Forwards
Props:
TH - Taione Vea, Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Paddy Ryan, Andrew Foster
LH - Ben Harris, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry, Alex Rogers, Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank (A)

Hookers: Scott Lawson, Ben Sowrey, Kyle Cooper
David Nelson (A), Santiago Socino (A)

Second Rows: Callum Green, Mauritz Botha, Will Witty, Sean Robinson , Evan Olmstead, Nick Civetta, Glen Youngs, Andrew Davidson
Harry Snowdon (A), Josh Williams (A), Max Davies (A),

Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Dan Temm, Joshua Chisanga, Harrison Orr, Opeti Fonua, Tyrone Holmes
Joe Craggs (A), Calum Chick (A), Sebastian Ferreira (A), Simon Uzokwe (A)

Backs
SH's: Sonatane Tukulua, Micky Young, Sam Egerton
Dan Taylor (A),  Ruaridh Dawson (A)

Fh's: Tom Catterick, Mike Delaney, Joel Hodgson  
Craig Willis (A), Brett Connon (A)

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Adam Powell, Chris Harris,
Adam Redman centre (A), Tom Penny (A)

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Marcus Watson, Zac Kibirige, Veriniki Goneva,
Dan Marshall (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley
Ed Coulson (A)

Signings for Next Season:
Niki Goneva - Wing (Leicester)
Sam Lockwood - LH Prop (Jersey)
Sam Egerton - SH (7's / Quins)
Harrison Orr - Back Row (Ealing)
Joel Hodgson - 9, 10, 15 (Leeds)
Ben Sowrey - Hooker (Worcester)
Evan Olmstead - Lock (London Scottish)
Opeti Fonua - Back Rower
Nick Civetta - Lock forward
Andrew Davidson (Academy) - Lock Forward
Kyle Cooper - Hooker
Tyrone Holmes - 6/7 - Glasgow

Not seen him for a while.

I'd have preferred Hardie as a proper 7 but I imagine he was cheap. I can see the idea as Watson might not be ready and Kibirige is still coming back from fitness?

Catterick is no winger, that's for sure.

Comacho joins to play on the wing.

International return as Hogg assumes captaincy
Friday 23 October 15
Six changes to starting XV for trip to Stadium:MK to face Northampton Saints

Newcastle Falcons welcome a host of their returning Rugby World Cup stars into their match day squad for Saturday’s game against Northampton Saints, as they make a total of six changes to their starting XV.

In a strong team, two of the changes come on the wings as Giovanbattista Venditti makes his club debut and Alesana Tuilagi makes his first start of the season, giving powerful strike options out wide.

The rest of the backline remains unchanged from the season opening game against Gloucester, with Simon Hammersely at fullback, Adam Powell and Chris Harris in the centres, with Ruki Tipuna and Mike Delany the halfbacks.

A total of four changes come in the pack, with Scottish international tighthead prop Jon Welsh making his club debut following his return from World Cup duty, joining Rob Vickers and Scott Lawson in the front row.

Another swap in the second row sees Italian international Josh Furno switch with England international Mouritz Botha to pack down alongside Calum Green.

Tongan international Nili Latu joins Venditti in making his first start for the club on the openside flank, as Will Welch lies in wait on the bench after passing tests following a knock to the head against Gloucester.

As a result, the remainder of back row sees a positional shuffle with Todd Clever moving to the blindside while Ally Hogg comes in at number eight, from where he will also captain the side.

On the bench, a good mix of international class and some of the clubs best home produced talent, with Eric Fry, Taione Vea, Botha and Welch providing the experience alongside the exuberance of George McGuigan, Ruaridh Dawson, Tom Catterick and Tom Penny.

With a strong squad expected to be announced by the Saints, hopes are high that both sides will contribute to an exciting afternoon of rugby at Stadium:MK

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints

Saturday 24th October 2015 – KO 13:45

15 Hammersley, 14 Venditti, 13 Harris, 12 Powell, 11 Tuilagi, 10 Delany, 9 Tipuna, 1 Vickers, 2 Lawson, 3 Welsh, 4 Green, 5 Furno, 6 Clever, 7 Latu, 8 Hogg (C)

Replacements 16 McGuigan, 17 Fry, 18 Vea, 19 Botha, 20 Welch, 21 Dawson, 22 Catterick, 23 Penny.

Good looking side. Shame for Welch but he's just not cutting the mustard, glad Deano has seen this.

Vickers is the next casualty surely?

Welch is injured Sgt, but I agree he's just not good enough. I think Temm offers more with his breakdown savy.

I just hope we can get some decent ball as I really think our backs can cause them serious trouble.

Is that not Welch on the bench GF?

My apologies it is. I hadn't noticed him. I had heard he was out with the head injury he got v Glos. He must have been passed fit but not fit enough to start?

I still agree with you though I think we have better. And Hogg is a much better Captain

Latu is the best out of all of our opensides. Dan Temm isn't some young pup anymore , He's 24. Surly if he was that good he'd be playing 7 this weekend?

Temm needs to kick on this season really.

Surprised Botha is on the bench, he was great last week.

Yeah your right driver...but everytime ive seen him play he looks good. Who knows.

At least Latu will bring some real aggression and power to that backrow. Something I think we have really been lacking.

Ill be watching him and Welsh at TH very closely tomorrow.

Defence crumbling again, mostly from the rolling maul. We're just too easy to beat which is hugely worrying. Who is doing the defence work???

Scrum was really strong, Welsh certainly sure us up and could be a top signing.

Encouraging signs from Clever and the backrow looked better, we just need continuity. Backs looked much more fluent with Catterick on, perhaps Delany needs more time despite looking good.

Really need a win asap.

1. Fry (?)
2. McGuigan
3. Welsh
4. Botha
5. Furno/Green
6. Clever
7. Latu
8. Hogg

9. Young (Tipuna struggling)
10. Catterick
11. Sinoti
12. Socino
13. Harris
14. Veditti
15. Hammersley

Not many English lads in our best XV

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Defence crumbling again, mostly from the rolling maul. We're just too easy to beat which is hugely worrying. Who is doing the defence work???

Scrum was really strong, Welsh certainly sure us up and could be a top signing.

Encouraging signs from Clever and the backrow looked better, we just need continuity. Backs looked much more fluent with Catterick on, perhaps Delany needs more time despite looking good.

Really need a win asap.

1. Fry (?)
2. McGuigan
3. Welsh
4. Botha
5. Furno/Green
6. Clever
7. Latu
8. Hogg

9. Young (Tipuna struggling)
10. Catterick
11. Sinoti
12. Socino
13. Harris
14. Veditti
15. Hammersley

Not many English lads in our best XV

If the reasons why Clever was dropped from the US team right before the RWC ever comes to light in Newcastle please let me know. For once both USA Rugby and Clever are keeping their respective mouths closed. Didn't think Clever could actually do that. Also Clever is a bit of an ego machine. Hopefully, in Newcastle he finds out ho to actually melt into a team properly. Would be good to see how he gets on, if for no othere reason as a measuring stick for American Rubgy.

Both Clever and Tolkin have been talking to the press about his expulsion in the last week or so.

http://www.rugbytoday.com/elite/clever-tolkin-talk-rwc-snub

He slept in for a training session Dr and got a warning.

He then failed to turn up for another session due to an awards night. He claims this was a short notice session and he not able to attend.

We're going down Sgt. We are appalling. Fed up of seeing the same crap every game.

Todd Clever needs to get his hair cut and stop hanging out with backs and put his head where it hurts like the forwards should!!!!

Since 1st January 2015 we’ve played 13 Premiership games and won just two of them. The first, a home win in early January against a demoralised London Welsh side and the second a home win against Quins on the last day of the season when neither team had anything to play for. Apart from the creditable draw against Wasps, we’ve lost the other 10.
Indeed, since promotion back to the Premiership, the bald fact is we’ve played 46 games and lost 37 of them, that’s a 17% win rate. We haven’t won a Premiership away game, apart from beating the hapless London Welsh outfit, for more than two years when we beat Worcester Warriors on 5th October 2013. We haven’t beaten a side finishing in the Premiership top four, home or away, since our promotion.

Well its hard to argue with these stats!

Sure we beat Exeter at home?

When Sinoti ripped them a new one

I se Scott Lawson has extended for another 2 years with you guys.....good or bad thing?

Who knows Tattie.

Theres much more problems than him at the moment.

Come on you falcons. Need a big game!

Oh dear lord...!!!!

I wonder if the lack of defence coach is because Phil Blake is available this month? Would make sense I guess, the sooner the better!

I'v heard he's already got a contract waiting for him from us.

Socks back this week at 12 should help our defence out.

15.Tait
14.Tuilagi
13.Harris
12.Socino
11.Vendetti
10.Delaney
9.Young

1.Fry
2.Lawson
3.Welsh
4.Green
5.Botha
6.Wilson
7.Latu
8.Clever

We need some bigger lumps in our pack if we are too kick on

The Blake rumour was around all summer aswell. Looks like its true then.

Lets see how that team goes eh.

Its the fact we lost so many collisions in the pack that concerns me Driver.

Team for Wuss:

1 - Vickers
2 - Lawson
3 - Welsh
4 - Botha
5 - Thompson
6 - Welch
7 - Latu
8 - Hogg
9 - Young
10 - Delany
11 - Tuilagi
12 - Socino
13 - Harris
14 - Venditti
15 - Tait

McGuigan
Fry
Vea
Robinson
Clever
Tipuna
Catterick
Penny


No idea how Welch keeps starting. I think McGuigan should be given a go to, he can carry and offload.

Agree on Welch. Just don't get it.

And I also agree on Mcguigan. Think Lawson is not the right choice to start anymore.

However on paper we should compete...its just we look appalling on the pitch.

Are we gone already?

Not yet GF, Irish look equally as bad

I wonder if tonight's game is on anywhere?

Did you see the game Sgt?

Aparently Sean Robinson was the standout at lock and Mark Wilson was back with a bang.

Good to see.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Did you see the game Sgt?

Aparently Sean Robinson was the standout at lock and Mark Wilson was back with a bang.

Good to see.

I couldn't find it GF, Bet365 don't seem to have the European games. Wilson is easily our best option in the backrow, it doesn't surprise me that he went well. Robinson looks handy but hasn't really shone in the AP. He'll come along I have no doubt but we have some good options there.

Robinson is about 25 I think, but he's always impressed me in the European games for exactly what he was reported as doing this game. Immense work rate and HUGE defence....tackling anything that moved.
I don't think hes had a huge run of games in the prem. But he does have competition in that spot.

Wilson is just class. Id consider him as Captain now.

I didn't realise he was that old, he really should be further on than what he is. He's a decent player but is he going to get any better?

Yeah he's not just a kid anymore, he should be nailed down really.

I do like what he brings when he plays. Obviously Dean thinks differently.

15 Alex Tait, 14 Zach Kibirige, 13 Tom Penny, 12 Chris Harris, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Tom Catterick, 9 Michael Young, 1 Rob Vickers, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Jon Welsh, 4 Calum Green, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch, 7 Dan Temm, 8 Mark Wilson

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Taione Vea, 19 Will Witty, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Ruki Tipuna, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Adam Powell

Well theres some serious gas in that backline!

In fact I like the make up of the pack aswell. I hope this is live...ill be interested in seeing how they go.

Well Sgt are you watching the game? What are you looking for?

Is it on anywhere GF?

I hope I have a stream if it works ill message you the link.

Ah its dropped out mate....arrgghhhh

6 tries, hat trick for Wilson

Yeah, but how good were they? I haven't seen any of the game as the bloomin link dropped out.

I don't think too much can be taken into beating a Russian side but a win is a win. Watson apparently scored a cracker but I have my doubts about him in the 15 game. He's got great gas and step but is a small lad, could he play FB? It'll be interesting to see how he develops.

How did Kibirige get on fellas?

It's a fair while since I can remember seeing him on a team sheet!

He played well by all accounts. Should be seen more regularly now I would hope...well on the pitch not sure about scoring...

After his recent injury runs I guess it's just good for him to get on the pitch GF.

Like many I'm not too sure what to say to you about your struggles so far this season. Last year you were minced at the scrum so often it debilitated you but still managed to play some good rugby and steadily improved as the season went on.

With Welsh and Vea arriving to bolster the front row plus experience like Clever and Latu I thought your forwards would be looking good this year. At current they seem toothless however.

Given Delany is now pulling the strings well for a really talented backline it's a shame they can't get some regular ball!

Mark Wilson returning well will hopefully add steel to your pack to galvanise things. Sinoti coming back can hopefully inspire things a bit as well given the manner in which he scored tries on single-handedly last season!

Do you think McGuigan should keep that 2 spot now?

At least the A team did alright beating Worcester 75-22 last night.

But it was a bloomin strong side they put out for an "A" league side.

McGuigan still has throwing issues but brings more to the game than Lawson. I'd probably look to rotate a bit GF with McGuigan more of a threat on the harder/faster pitches. He obviously needs game time to improve.