Tait challenges Falcons to deliver

Posted on Feb 17, 2010 in Rugby News

Newcastle first team coach Alan Tait has challenged his players to turn words into deeds on Saturday, as the Falcons look to regain their place in the top half of the Guinness Premiership table against London Irish.

The Exiles travel to Kingston Park for a 5.30pm kick-off, with Tait insisting that a victory is the absolute minimum requirement for his side to fulfil its top six ambitions.

“The players are talking the talk at the moment about finishing in the top half of the league, but now’s the time to see if they can back it up with their actions,” said the dual-code Scotland and Lions star.

“We can all sit here and say we’re going to finish in a Heineken Cup place, but if you don’t go out and win games then it’s just words.

“If the players are going to talk big about things like the top six then they need to bring in at least four points this weekend, it’s as simple as that.”

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Alan Tait reflects on the Falcons’ fortunes

Posted on Oct 28, 2009 in Rugby News

Newcastle first team coach Alan Tait has called on the Falcons to use last weekend’s win at Bath as the springboard for their season, as Worcester Warriors are the Guinness Premiership visitors to Kingston Park on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

Looking for his side to continue their ascent up the league table following their 27-16 triumph at The Rec with a fourth successive bonus point victory, Tait said: “We’d like to think we’ve turned the corner, but we always knew it was going to take time with so many players joining the club over the summer.

“If I’m totally honest I thought it would be after Christmas before the players got properly in-synch with one another, so I’m delighted that it has started to happen before then.”

Highlighting a renewed optimism around Kingston Park, the dual-code Lions and Scotland star said: “You can see going round the ground today that the boys have the smile back on their faces, their chests are puffed out just that little bit extra and it’s a good place to be again.

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