Tait rotates squad

Posted on Apr 1, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons boss Alan Tait has made six changes for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash against Gloucester, at Kingsholm (kick-off 3pm).

Rob Vickerman is handed a start at outside centre after impressing for the Falcons second string during a 40-3 win against Leeds, earlier this week.

Tait rotates the back division with Alex Tait moving to full-back, while Tane Tu’ipulotu is promoted from the bench to win a place on the wing.

The Scotsman also rings the changes in the forward pack, with a new front row in the shape of Grant Shiells, Rob Vickers and Euan Murray.

Local talent Mark Wilson completes the changes at flanker, as Tait looks to freshen things up ahead of a crucial month for the Falcons.

Tait said: “This team is definitely capable of getting points down there. The lads want to go down there and give a good account of themselves, as every team should do in this league.

“It has been a long haul these last few weeks away from home, but this can be an extra buffer for us going into the four home games in April.”

The northeasterners take on a Gloucester outfit wounded from last week’s 53-15 defeat to Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

“They come into the game on the back of a hiding at Harlequins but I’m sure Bryan Redpath is not pleased with that performance,” said Tait.

“We have to concentrate on our own form and with six games to go we will go down to Gloucester and give it our all. I was pleased with the way we played against Saracens on Sunday so hopefully we can do the same this weekend,” he added.

15 Alex Tait
14 Tane T’uipulotu
13 Rob Vickerman
12 Luke Eves
11 Rikki Sheriffe
10 Jimmy Gopperth
9 Micky Young

1 Grant Shiells
2 Rob Vickers
3 Euan Murray
4 James Hudson
5 Tim Swinson
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch
8 Ally Hogg

16 Matt Thompson
17 James Hall
18 Kieran Brookes
19 Glen Townson
20 Alex Gray
21 Chris Pilgrim
22 James Fitzpatrick
23 Tom Catterick

Falcons field changed team to face Bourgoin

Posted on Oct 8, 2010 in English Rugby, Heineken Cup, Premiership

Ally Hogg captains a much changed line up to the one that narrowly lost to Harlequins last Saturday. The starting line up welcomes back the likes of Alex Tait, Gcobani Bobo, Micky Young, Brent Wilson and Luke Eves as well as handing Mark Wilson, Joe Graham, Micky Ward and Glen Townson their first starts of the season.

Whilst Jeremy Manning has kept his place in the first team, he has been moved to fly half with Alex Tait filling in at fullback. After his impressive performance at centre in the development team, Bobo partners Luke Eves in a much changed back line. Micky Young also comes back into scrum half as Chris Pilgrim drops to the bench.

Swinson, Pennycook and Tim Ryan all drop down to the bench for Glen Townson, Mark Wilson and Micky Ward respectively, whilst Brent Wilson and Joe Graham come in for the injured Will Welch and Rob Vickers.

James Fitzpatrick and Joel Hodgson have been rewarded for their impressive form in the development team by being given a place on the bench and could make their debuts if brought on.

15 ALEX TAIT
14 LUKE FIELDEN
13 GCOBANI BOBO
12 LUKE EVES
11 CHARLIE AMESBURY
10 JEREMY MANNING
9 MICKY YOUNG
1 GRANT SHIELLS
2 JOE GRAHAM
3 MICKY WARD
4 FILIPO LEVI
5 GLEN TOWNSON
6 BRENT WILSON
7 MARK WILSON
8 ALLY HOGG (CAPTAIN)

16 KIERAN BROOKES
17 DARREN FEARN
18 TIM RYAN
19 TIM SWINSON
20 REDFORD PENNYCOOK
21 CHRIS PILGRIM
22 JAMES FITZPATRICK
23 JOEL HODGSON

Grimes lays down the gauntlet to Falcons pack

Posted on Nov 10, 2009 in Rugby News

Newcastle assistant coach Stuart Grimes has laid down the challenge to his Falcons pack, ahead of Sunday’s LV= Cup visit of Harlequins to Kingston Park (kick-off 3pm).

Having seen his side concede a hat-trick of second-half tries from driving mauls in defeat to Worcester last weekend, the Scotland great wasted no time in highlighting the areas for improvement.

“From a forward coach’s perspective last weekend went pretty badly on the whole, although there were some positives to take away,” said Grimes.

“The scrum was very good, the line out on our own throw went okay but defensively we conceded three tries from line outs which is obviously not acceptable.

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Falcons make 12 changes for LV= cup

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 in Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons have freshened up their squad for Saturday’s LV= Cup trip to Worcester, making 12 changes from the side which beat the Warriors at Kingston Park last weekend.

Left wing Uche Oduoza makes his Newcastle debut against his former club, with the England Sevens international having racked up the tries for the Falcons Development Team following his summer move from Japan.

Cumbrian Mark Wilson makes his debut on the openside flank, with the 20-year-old’s form for Blaydon and the Newcastle second-string earning him a call-up to the senior side.

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