Two more sign on at Goldington Road

Posted on May 23, 2012 in Bedford

Just a week after announcing the capture of Premiership duo Tom Armes and Ben Gulliver, Bedford Blues are delighted to announce two further signings for the next Championship campaign.

With two props leaving the club at the conclusion of the 2011/12 season, the Blues have moved quickly to capture Newcastle front row star Darren Fearn who has been with the Falcons since 2010.

Fearn, 23, was born and raised in Yorkshire and started his playing career with local side Scarborough before moving to Newcastle to study at Northumbria University. After playing for Blaydon in the 2008/9 season and picking up an England Student cap, Fearn was awarded a full time deal with the Falcons which coincided with his studies.

At six foot three inches tall and tipping the scales at the 20 stone mark, Fearn is certain to add plenty of beef to the Bedford front row next term.

Also signing for Bedford this week is impressive Esher fly half Mark Atkinson who has quite the rugby CV despite being just 22 years old.

Atkinson, who can also play at inside centre, started his career with Sale before turning out for Sedgley Park, Rosslyn Park and Wasps prior to joining Esher last season where he put in a scintillating first half performance against Bedford in September only to go off injured at the interval.

Having picked up caps for England Under 18s and Under 20s, Atkinson will provide plenty of competition for the much sought after Bedford Blues number ten jersey.

Commenting on the signing, Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: “It has been a busy couple of weeks for us at Goldington Road but we are delighted to be able to welcome Darren and Mark to the club.

“Darren is a good, young prop who has Premiership and European experience and will add plenty of momentum to the Blues scrum. Anyone who was at Moseley Road last season will know what Mark can do given the tiniest amount of space and I look forward to seeing him in action in a Blues shirt soon.”

Chudley joins the Chiefs

Posted on Apr 26, 2012 in English Rugby, Exeter, Exeter Chiefs, Premiership

Exeter Chiefs have added another new face to their ranks for the 2012/13 campaign with the acquisition of Will Chudley from Aviva Premiership rivals Newcastle Falcons.

The 24-year-old scrum-half is Rob Baxter’s fifth new arrival at Sandy Park following the earlier captures of Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Ian Whitten (Ulster), Alex Brown and Jack Yeandle (both Doncaster Knights).

Commenting on the arrival of the Bedford-born number nine, Baxter said: “Will is a guy we have been tracking for a number of seasons. We were initially looking at him when he was doing very well in the Championship with Bedford and we’ve followed his progress ever since he moved to Newcastle.

“He’s a player who likes to make breaks and play with a bit of tempo, so he’s just the kind of player we like here. At the same time, though, we feel he can still develop even further and that he can push the current guys we have here at the club.

“Scrum-half is obviously a specialist position, a very important position in the side, and it’s kind of the heartbeat of what we do as a club. We feel Will has the raw materials and the potential to do very well and a guy we feel we can really develop into something special.

“He has a lot of good attributes to his game; he’s a good character and I know he will fit in well here. He’s a humble, hard-working guy and I know Ricky Pellow is really looking forward to working with him. I’ve no doubt Ricky will really help develop his game and that he will add something to the group.”

As Baxter has proved during his tenure in charge, he is never afraid to promote players who have shown their worth in the Championship.

Since making his debut for his hometown club during the 2007/08 season, Chudley amassed over 50 first team appearances for the Blues before he was snapped up former Falcons’ head coach Alan Tait last summer.

This season Chudley has featured 14 times for the Falcons in both the top flight and in Europe, battling it out for the number nine jersey alongside the likes of Jordi Pasqualin, Chris Pilgrim and Irish international Peter Stringer.

Baxter added: “We’re comfortable with people who have performed well in the Championship, as Will has done in the past. And, as I said, we’ve watched him closely for some time now and since moving to Newcastle you can see he’s gone on and progressed even further.”

With the experienced Haydn Thomas, Kevin Barrett and Junior Poluleuligaga all contracted for next season, Chudley’s task of breaking into the Exeter first team squad will be no easy matter.

“For Will it’s up to him to fight and try and push into that match-day squad,” said Baxter. “We’ve not brought him here to sit on the bench and not play any rugby. He’s aware he’s got to come in and fight for his place like any other person. It’s a short contract for him, but we know he’s coming here to fight for something longer term. That makes it exciting for him and it makes it exciting for us as well.”

Certainly Chudley is relishing his move to the Westcountry, stating: “I’m over the moon to have signed on with the Chiefs. I’ve played against Exeter a few times in the past and I know what a great club and great set-up they have down there.

“Obviously the club have had a great year and next season promises to be even better for them, so it will be great to be part of it all. All the reports I’ve heard about the place have been very positive and you often here about the great work ethic they have within the squad.

“The good thing for me is that I know one or two of the boys already, like Myles Dorrian from my days at Bedford, so I am sure will help me settle in a lot quicker.”

For now, though, Chudley says his immediate thoughts are firmly focused on Newcastle attempting to preserve their top flight survival.

He added: “I’ve had a really good year up at Newcastle. The coaches have been fantastic with me, as have all the boys, and I’ve definitely improved my game from moving that step up in levels. Although I’m excited about my move to Exeter, my focus right now is on that last game for Newcastle against Wasps.”

Newcastle reveal new playing shirt

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 in emb, English Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Premiership

Newcastle Falcons have exclusively unveiled their brand new playing shirt ahead of this Friday’s Aviva Premiership humdinger with Saracens at Kingston Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

Falcons players Jimmy Gopperth, James Fitzpatrick and Greg Goosen were all on hand to model the new shirt at a media launch held at the picturesque setting of Close House Hotel.

The brand new shirt for the 2012-13 season which is supplied by Tyneside-based sportswear company Orion Teamswear will be worn for the £10 a ticket Saracens match.

The national and local media including Sky Sports News, ESPN and BBC Look North descended on the club’s shirt sponsor Close House to get their first glimpse of the jersey, and get the inside track on the Falcons as Saracens looms large.

As part of the sponsorship arrangement the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) features on the back of the shirt.

And children from the CHUF were present at the launch, with director of rugby Gary Gold and his players interacting with them during their media duties.

Gold said: “From a humanitarian point of view we have got CHUF involved and it is great that Newcastle Falcons can get right behind the charity and help the little kids.

“If we can do that by getting the name out there and raise a little bit of money on game day, creating awareness then that would be great.”

South African Gold, who has steered his side to back-to-back victories over Sale Sharks and Gloucester, is appealing for a 10,000 plus crowd under the lights of Kingston Park.

“Ticket sales have been absolutely outstanding so far and there are only a handful of tickets left,” said Gold.

“I am asking the North East people to turn up in their droves and come and support the club at £10 a ticket. We have received outstanding support in recent weeks and that backing is never taken for granted,” he added.

A third straight victory for the northeasterners would put them level on points with London Wasps at the foot of the Premiership tree with the men from the capital travelling to Bath the following day.

Balding seals Falcons move

Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in English Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Premiership

Hot on the heels of signing James Goode from the Ospreys, Newcastle Falcons have announced that experienced No.8 Adam Balding has joined the club from Worcester Warriors until the end of the season.

The Coventry-born forward, who has represented England at both Saxons and Sevens level, is a product of the Leicester Tigers academy and went on to win four Premiership titles and two Heineken Cups with the Welford Road club.

In 2004 Balding, 32, moved to Gloucester and after a string of impressive performances he became club captain for the Cherry and Whites.

Re-joining the Falcons after a successful stint with the club during the 2008-09 season, the 6ft 2” 17st 5lb lynchpin moved to Worcester Warriors in February 2010 on a two-year deal.

Now Balding’s focus is on helping his former club secure its Aviva Premiership status under the guidance of director of rugby Gary Gold.

“I’m looking forward to the move to Newcastle, a club that I know well and have fond memories from my previous time in the north east,” said Balding.

“I’m fit, injury free and determined to make a big impression. I’m keen to get up to Newcastle and do my best before the end of the season.

“I want to prove I can play at this level and secure my future. Newcastle have given me a lifeline to play some games and I won’t let them down.”

Falcons’ chief Gold said: “Adam has great leadership qualities and I am delighted that he has decided to move to the North East and tough it out as we strive to move up the Aviva Premiership table.”

“He has played for some fantastic clubs, playing at the very highest level and it is a pleasure to welcome Adam to the club until the end of the season,” added Gold.

Newcastle team to face Toulon

Posted on Dec 8, 2011 in Amlin Challenge Cup, Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons have made five changes to the side that defeated Gloucester for Thursday’s Amlin Challenge Cup showdown with Toulon (kick-off 7.45pm).

Jamie Helleur partners James Fitzpatrick at outside centre while Luke Eves gets the nod on the wing in place of Suka Hufanga.

Joe Graham replaces Michael Mayhew at hooker while there are starts for Mark Wilson and Richard Mayhew.

The Falcons have made a blistering start to their European campaign with victories over Lyon at home and Petrarca away.

Alan Tait’s men will be hoping to make it three wins out of three as they look to challenge for a place in the knockout stages.  

Last weekend’s 26-25 victory against Gloucester in the league at Kingston Park made it five games unbeaten on home soil.

“I have told them over the next fortnight that I am going to mix it up and throw a few lads in to keep the squad fresh,” said Tait who is aiming to stretch the unbeaten run to six games.

He added: “Then comes the Sale game on Boxing Day and it is all in the mixer as to who gets in for the Premiership return.

“I have told this team for some time now that they are a good one, and we have added quality players on top of that as we have gone on.”

Skipper James Hudson, believes the fans have played a crucial part in helping his side maintain their home form, saying: “The core of our fans have been incredible both home and away – at home they have been nothing short of fantastic.

“The support that we have had has been huge and very much appreciated by the whole squad.”

Newcastle welcome a Toulon outfit littered with an abundance of talent and Hudson is relishing the prospect of his unit testing themselves against some of the best players in world rugby.

“It is a big chance to show everyone what we are about and it is a big chance to continue our good form at home,” said the Sutton Coldfield lock.

“We will be doing everything we can to try and extend this run to six games,” added Hudson. 

Hard-hitting centre James Fitzpatrick who will earn his third consecutive start in the colours of the Falcons is itching to walk out onto the Kingston Park turf.

He said: “I am really looking forward to the Toulon game and I can’t wait to play some more rugby.

“I think in the European competition we have been playing with a lot more freedom and we are certainly playing more open rugby.

“The fans have been amazing and even for the away games they turn up in their droves.”  

Newcastle: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Luke Eves, 13 Jamie Helleur, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Jordi Pasqualin, 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Joe Graham, 3 Euan Murray, 4 James Hudson, 5 Andrew van der Heijden, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch, 8 Richard Mayhew

Replacements: 16 Ashley Wells, 17 Darren Fearn, 18 Dan Frazier, 19 Taiasina Tu’ifua, 20 Ally Hogg, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Chris Pilgrim, 23 Tom Catterick