The Flight of the Falcon
By TheSaracens
October 6 2021
On three levels at least, Saturday’s home encounter with Newcastle Falcons is eagerly anticipated: It’s the first home game of the season; it’s the first home game back in the Premiership; it’s the first men’s competitive game at Allianz/StoneX with a capacity crowd permitted since 7th March 2020 when we beat Leicester Tigers 24-13. I’ve no doubt that there will be a fantastic atmosphere with what will hopefully be a full house of c. 8,500: it’ll also give many a look at the rapidly-developing West Stand which will greatly enhance both the look of, and facilities within, the stadium.
Turning to Saturday’s opponents, Newcastle Falcons, they’ve had something of a “yo-yo” last few seasons:
Finishing fourth in 2017-18, raising hopes among some in that wonderful city of a Champions Cup final appearance at the fabled St James’s Park; 2018-19 didn’t turn out as hoped and the Falcons were relegated, bouncing back in the truncated 2019-20 after winning every one of 15 games played and being declared champions by – obviously - dint of the best playing record.
Back in the Premiership, 2020/21 saw the Falcons finish 10th, 15points clear of bottom club Worcester Warriors.
Back to the present, Falcons have had a pretty good start to the season and appear at this stage to stand a decent chance, injuries and suspensions permitting, of finishing a fair bit higher than 10th.
Their campaign began in the BT Sport Sunday game with a highly entertaining home encounter with Quins, which saw Falcons come back strongly from being 14-0 with a quarter of the game gone to lose 20-26: having a bit of a soft spot for Falcons since the days of Jonny Wilkinson, Pat Lam et al, I’d watched the game and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
Falcons then backed up a promising start, at least in terms of performance, with a win against Bath at the Rec, racing into a 20-3 half-time lead before holding on to prevail 13-20.
Last time out, Falcons edged out our old friends Wasps 18-14 in a close encounter and by virtue of a late score from back-rower Callum Chick; unfortunately, the win was tarnished by a red card for Tom Penny after an incident involving Jimmy Gopperth, which of course rules him out for Saturday’s game.
As I write, Falcons are sitting fourth in the table on 9 points after three games.
In terms of Falcons’ squad, Dean Richards has lost, from the pitch at least, the classy Toby Flood who has retired from playing and is now Falcons’ kicking and skills coach.
Two eye-catching signing, to follow the acquisition last season of Luther Burrell following his unsuccessful spell in Super League with Warrington Wolves, are Mr Angry himself and former Quins icon Mike Brown and ex-Sarrie Nathan Earle, the latter making his Falcons debut against Wasps although he didn’t score; both are I suspect men with a point to prove.
Falcons’ record head-to head with Sarries isn’t the best, and I must admit I couldn’t remember the last time they’d beaten us – I was surprised to find that the last time Falcons registered a win over us was 19 games ago, when they beat us 13-9 at Kingston Park in February 2009, while their last victory at our place was back in December 2007 at Vicarage Road.
In terms of who to look out for, and indeed Falcons’ biggest threat may be the pacy rising England star Adam Radwan, who has already helped himself to two tries, one each against Quins and Bath.
Also “one to watch” is Radwan’s opposite number on the left, the teenager Iwan Stephens, also a two-try scorer.
In terms of Saturday’s match, I’d anticipate that Sarries’ main change might be the return of Maro to the black and red, partnering Nick Isiekwe in the second row.
Falcons may well opt for the side that beat Wasps last weekend, minus of course Tom Penny although Mike Brown's rib injury will I believe rob him of the chance of a Falcons Premiership debut against the “old enemy”.
Sarries will be seething with frustration after last weekend’s result and in the latter stages performance, with Mark McCall doubtless having a few frank words with the squad, and the news about Dan Kelly’s citing which had his offence been spotted could have changed the result, may add to that (nothing like a feeling of injustice to inflame the passions), so it could be quite a match.
Whether you’re at StoneX or watching on BT Sport (2) – enjoy the game!
Jonny Browne
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:10:18:10:59:52 by Darraghgirl.
I'm really looking forward to this game and have been very impressed with Falcons so far this season. Hoping for a big W for the first home game and hoping the Womens team can achieve the same against a Chiefs team who are going well.
Quote:OldMarovian
Another great preview.
I'm really looking forward to this game and have been very impressed with Falcons so far this season. Hoping for a big W for the first home game and hoping the Womens team can achieve the same against a Chiefs team who are going well.
Thank you, OM.
I agree, Falcons have looked impressive although if Sarries are fired up after last week we’ll take some stopping especially with a noisy home crowd - I’m thinking 43-20. Also hoping for similar from the women’s team but as you see the Chiefs are doing OK.
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!