Falcons side for Euro opener
By Aidanb
December 9 2021
Newcastle Falcons have named a power-packed line-up for Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup opener at home to Worcester Warriors. The 8pm kick-off at Kingston Park Stadium sees the Falcons going with the same back line which started last weekend’s Gallagher Premiership trip to London Irish, director of rugby Dean Richards making five changes to his forward pack. Will Welch returns to captain the side from the open-side flank, with Carl Fearns also coming into the back row. Italian international Marco Fuser is in at second row, with Kyle Cooper and Mark Tampin rotated in as the two props.
We’ve got a lot of boys carrying injuries or niggles, and aside from managing that we’re putting out the strongest team available,” said director of rugby Dean Richards, whose side drew 24-24 at home to Worcester less than two weeks ago in league action.
“Playing Worcester around a fortnight ago is useful in many ways, and gives us a good understanding of what they’re about.
“If I was being particularly blunt about it we were very disappointed with the performance that day, to score four tries and only get three points.
“We weren’t happy with conceding the three tries in the manner in which we did, and then on top of that we conceded a shed-load of points down at London Irish last weekend.”
Backing his squad to respond positively to those setbacks, the Falcons boss added: “Obviously there’s a lot of stuff we’ve been working on to address those things, and the boys have been working really hard to get back on track.
The rest of the article is here.
Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: FalconsRugby.org.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 14:57
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Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: RiponFalcon (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 15:26
I’ve just had an email from the club about the game including details of the team. A very different side. It appears they have attached the original team selection from the league game including Sam Stuart
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: alas (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 15:56
Yes, a slapdash e-mail. Makes sense to field the premiership team given 16 days to the next game.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: aidanb (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 16:08
Incoming correction no doubt.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: AJfalc (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 16:31
Smithy should never have had a day off this week.........
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: markismith50 (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 16:56
Apologies guys, I’m not personally involved in putting together the emails but the team for Friday is the one on the website and our social media. Sorry for any confusion.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: matt1il (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 19:24
Quote:Offy
Newcastle Falcons team v Worcester Warriors (Friday, 8pm, Kingston Park Stadium)
15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Penny, 13 Max Wright, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Adam Radwan, 10 Will Haydon-Wood, 9 Louis Schreuder; 1 Kyle Cooper, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Mark Tampin, 4 Marco Fuser, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Callum Chick, 7 Will Welch (captain), 8 Carl Fearns.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Logovi’i Mulipola, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Gary Graham, 21 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Ollie Lindsay-Hague.
Worcester Warriors: 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Alex Hearle, 13 Oli Morris, 12 Francois Venter (co-captain), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Will Chudley, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Jay Tyack, 4 Joe Batley, 5 Andrew Kitchener, 6 Kyle Hatherell, 7 Ted Hill (co-captain), 8 Sione Vailanu.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Kai Owen, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Matt Kvesic, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Ollie Wynn, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Harri Doel.
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ireland)
2 strong sides there, with a 2 week break after this it makes sense for us. Is Wilson still due back in Dec? I'm it said somewhere he was.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: markismith50 (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 19:51
Deano on injuries: [www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk]
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: matt1il (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 20:30
Quote:markismith50
Deano on injuries: [www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk]
Great stuff, hope to see him at Leicester!
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Andy Mac (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 20:41
“Mark Wilson should be back within the next two to three weeks, as should Matias Orlando“. Also says Carreras and young not far away.
That’s some great news. Wilson and Orlando will be like two new signings and I’m sure they’re eager to get out there.
That’s some great news. Wilson and Orlando will be like two new signings and I’m sure they’re eager to get out there.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: markismith50 (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 21:41
Wils has been in absolute beast mode doing his rehab, I was watching his session the other day and he was like a man possessed.
I’ve also done a big in-depth interview with Tosti for the Sale programme. What a lovely fella he is. Made a good feature I think.
I’ve also done a big in-depth interview with Tosti for the Sale programme. What a lovely fella he is. Made a good feature I think.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: The Boyfriend (IP Logged)
Date: 09/12/2021 22:44
It's a decent side, here's hoping we make a good scrap of it.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Monkey1 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 09:25
Keep a place warm for me in the usual spot please. I will be leaving Hexham a bit before 8 so will rock up about 20 mins after kick off.
Ta.
Ta.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: The Boyfriend (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 09:33
Can't promise the 'warm' bit...perhaps if you'd said 'please keep me a space in which it feels like the core of my very being has been dipped in liquid nitrogen', we could have guaranteed something.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:10:09:43:28 by The Boyfriend.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:10:09:43:28 by The Boyfriend.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Geordie (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 11:49
Quote:markismith50
Wils has been in absolute beast mode doing his rehab, I was watching his session the other day and he was like a man possessed.
I’ve also done a big in-depth interview with Tosti for the Sale programme. What a lovely fella he is. Made a good feature I think.
Thats a frightening thought. ...
Fearns, Wilson, Graham, Chick or Welch....any combination and thats a back row thats going to dish out some pain!
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Monkey1 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 12:14
Quote:The Boyfriend
...perhaps if you'd said 'please keep me a space in which it feels like the core of my very being has been dipped in liquid nitrogen', we could have guaranteed something.
So not as cold as last time then.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: The Boyfriend (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 13:01
Quote:Monkey1Quote:The Boyfriend
...perhaps if you'd said 'please keep me a space in which it feels like the core of my very being has been dipped in liquid nitrogen', we could have guaranteed something.
So not as cold as last time then.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Davidten31 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 15:29
Did Jamie Blamire return injured from the England camp, as no mention of him in deano’s article. This would be a great game for him to get some game time and give George a break.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: markismith50 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 15:48
Jamie was due to be involved last weekend but pulled out with a tight hamstring. It's nothing too serious.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Davidten31 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 16:37
Thanks mark 👍
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Andy Mac (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 20:48
21-21 at halftime. Sounds loose!
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: alas (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 22:40
Very entertaining first half, with good attacking play from both sides. Fewer fireworks in the second half, but the Falcons closed out the game well. Worcester probably had more of the game than two weeks ago, but there wasn't the disparity in goal kicking. Some bizarre refereeing, but he was better on the forward passes than Barnes.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: BedfordFalcon (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 22:54
Fearns was a beast all game. Scrum was solid. Chick was everywhere. Brown excellent under the high ball and more measured ball in hand than we've seen lately. Burrell ran straight and hard plus good passing, his inside ball to OLH was a dream. Penny is a better centre than he is a wing. Haydon-Wood was good tonight. including great place kicking. Falcons make silly mistakes and go to sleep too often in defence. Can see why they got stuffed by Irish. All great fun though. Looking forward to Boxing day.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: The Boyfriend (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 23:04
Yeah, that was a reasonable little scrap, albeit one which we made harder for ourselves at times.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: aidanb (IP Logged)
Date: 10/12/2021 23:05
I am revoking Mark Tampins tight head licence
Tackling
Running on the wing with ball in hand.
Days of old tight heads wouldn’t be seen dead doing those things.
Tackling
Running on the wing with ball in hand.
Days of old tight heads wouldn’t be seen dead doing those things.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Barry555 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 00:24
I thought it was a very good run out for our lads. That was a strong Worcester side who’s in decent form.
Agree there’s quite a few times we switch off in defence but you can see the effort and the desire from the squad.
Will Welch is just an absolute machine. Most Prem teams would love to have a player like that in their back row.
Agree there’s quite a few times we switch off in defence but you can see the effort and the desire from the squad.
Will Welch is just an absolute machine. Most Prem teams would love to have a player like that in their back row.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: markismith50 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 00:30
Aidan, I even saw Tamps getting in at fly-half at one point. Disgusting!
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Knock_On_7 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 01:17
A bit frustrating at times but a win and bonus point, so shouldn't complain too much. Defence was a bit suspect at times and there was a lot of space out wide, but I appreciate Wright went off early and the backline on a whole was patched together last minute.
Worcester really made a good match of it and I thought were the better team in the first half, with us just nudging it in the second. Van Der Merwe is a handful to say the least! Saying that, Radwan was more than equal and it was great watching two top talents.
Lots of space around the breakdown which was exploited by both teams at times and surprisingly few penalties.
Burrell got MOTM, but I think WHW deserves some recognition. He has an awareness for space and nailed his kicks.
What was the time stamp on the first try? I heard it broke records but haven't seen a time. Must have been sub 10 seconds!
Worcester really made a good match of it and I thought were the better team in the first half, with us just nudging it in the second. Van Der Merwe is a handful to say the least! Saying that, Radwan was more than equal and it was great watching two top talents.
Lots of space around the breakdown which was exploited by both teams at times and surprisingly few penalties.
Burrell got MOTM, but I think WHW deserves some recognition. He has an awareness for space and nailed his kicks.
What was the time stamp on the first try? I heard it broke records but haven't seen a time. Must have been sub 10 seconds!
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: matt1il (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 04:43
Try looks to be ~8s on the video highlights (KO at 2s, try at 10s?)
More about place kicking please! We kick* them when they're not great so would be good to see Will get some equal plaudits, I've not seen them (conversions never make the highlights) but the first 2 conversions must have been a good from that far wide, must have been handy getting a good first confidence builder a few seconds into the match.
*pun intended
More about place kicking please! We kick* them when they're not great so would be good to see Will get some equal plaudits, I've not seen them (conversions never make the highlights) but the first 2 conversions must have been a good from that far wide, must have been handy getting a good first confidence builder a few seconds into the match.
*pun intended
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: aidanb (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 08:06
Quote:markismith50
Aidan, I even saw Tamps getting in at fly-half at one point. Disgusting!
I’ve written to him to revoke his licence with immediate effect.
But in all honesty it’s great to see our scrummaging go so well these days.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: aidanb (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 08:11
Fearns was my player of the match.
No insult to Burrell who also deserved it but Fearns shaved it for me.
Tell you what wasn’t seen by a lot of people was Adam Radwan giving a young lad his boots just before Christmas.
He came back out to see the young lads waiting for him and was great with them.
No insult to Burrell who also deserved it but Fearns shaved it for me.
Tell you what wasn’t seen by a lot of people was Adam Radwan giving a young lad his boots just before Christmas.
He came back out to see the young lads waiting for him and was great with them.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: pityacker (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 08:52
Three of us go to game and sit together and all thought Carl Fearns was way ahead for man of match award but in reality it depends on who is making the choice and am sure most of us are often bemused when the announcements are made at any games.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: markismith50 (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 09:05
Aidan, that’s lovely to hear on Radders. I wasn’t aware. He’s a lovely lad so I’m not surprised.
Pityacker, it’s the written and radio media who have to vote for man of the match in non-TV Euro games (EPCR rules, not ours).
Pityacker, it’s the written and radio media who have to vote for man of the match in non-TV Euro games (EPCR rules, not ours).
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: dick g (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 09:55
What is it about Falcons v Warriors? 14 tries in two games. Can we play them every week?
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: The Boyfriend (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 10:54
We noted that Carl had a heck of a game too, but it is interesting to hear from Smithy how these things are decided.
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: aidanb (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 11:32
Oh
Will Welch
If he had been player of the match last night no one would have complained.
He is certainly in the running for player of the season
Will Welch
If he had been player of the match last night no one would have complained.
He is certainly in the running for player of the season
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: DavidKidd (IP Logged)
Date: 11/12/2021 11:41
Highlights anyone?
[www.youtube.com]
[www.youtube.com]
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: Bedlington Lad (IP Logged)
Date: 12/12/2021 09:20
Fearns took a horrible crack on the head so I hope he's ok. He had a great game
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: matt1il (IP Logged)
Date: 12/12/2021 10:43
Quote:Bedlington Lad
Fearns took a horrible crack on the head so I hope he's ok. He had a great game
How was the other bloke?
Re: Falcons side for Euro opener
Posted by: BedfordFalcon (IP Logged)
Date: 12/12/2021 13:50
Quote:.Bedlington Lad
Fearns took a horrible crack on the head so I hope he's ok. He had a great game
According to social media he was at the races yesterday with the other boys. So can't be too bad
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