Nottingham Rugby team news

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Nottingham

Nottingham hooker Joe Duffey will play his 200th game for the club against RFU Championship leaders Newcastle at Meadow Lane tomorrow night (Friday, March 22 – 7.45pm kick-off).

Notching up the double ton in the biggest home game of the season to date – the second-versus-first showdown with the Falcons – is a fitting stage for the tough and uncompromising Kiwi.

Duffey is in the second year of his third spell with the club, having first joined the Green and Whites in 2003.

While a man of few words, the 30-year-old didn’t need to say much to express how much the milestone moment means to him.

“That many games, 200, is a really big achievement. I’m proud to play so many games for Nottingham,” Duffey said.

“I’ve been with this club for so long – from starting out at Beeston to playing here at Meadow Lane.

“It has been a great ride.”

Duffey is rejoined in the front row by Matt Parr, with the loosehead prop recovering from a leg injury.

The only other change head coach Martin Haag makes for the Falcons’ first ever trip to Meadow Lane – and Newcastle’s first appearance in Nottingham since 1996 – is recall centre Tim Streather, who has recovered from a hamstring niggle.

Haag said: “Streather has been playing very, very well but got injured and that opened the door for Joe Cobden to get a few games and he performed well. We also have Andy Forsyth going well and really at this time of year we are in a good place with players fit and fighting for spots in the starting XV.

“Parr obviously got injured and Jonny Harris came in and did exceptional work for us and it is probably a bit hard to leave him out, but that was always the plan.

“Going forward it is always about who plays well, and this week it is good to have some fresh legs in there because we have had a couple of short turn arounds in the past few weeks.”

Nottingham’s clash with the Falcons has generated record pre-sales with more than 1,700 tickets already snapped up for the Friday blockbuster.

Advanced ticket sales close at 12noon today (Thursday, March 21), but tickets will still be available on the gate on match day for the main Derek Pavis Stand.

Call Nottingham Rugby HQ on 0115 907 0070 for more details.

Nottingham Rugby team to face Newcastle Falcons at Meadow Lane Stadium on Friday, March 22 (7.45pm kick-off):

15 Andrew Savage 14 David Jackson 13 Tim Streather 12 Joe Munro 11 Alex Lewington 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Matt Parr 2 Joe Duffey 3 Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Brent Wilson 8 Alex Shaw.

Replacements from: 16 Shaun Malton 17 Ryan Bower 18 Joe Quinn 19 Tom Calladine 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Joe Cobden 22 Andrew Forsyth.

Powell relishes promotion push with Falcons

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons’ latest signing Adam Powell is fired-up for this Friday’s RFU Championship blockbuster at second place Nottingham (kick-off 7.45pm).

The talented centre, 26, who has spent the last eight seasons in the capital with Saracens, is keen to help the Falcons maintain their impressive winning streak which now stretches to 24 games in all competitions.

“Coming from Saracens I’m used to a winning mentality, and it is evident here that confidence is high,” said Romford-born Powell.

“We were brought down to earth a little bit against Bedford a couple of weeks ago, and hopefully that is the scare that we needed going into the play-offs,” he added.

Now Powell is focussed on propelling the Falcons back to the big time at the first time of asking under the stewardship of Dean Richards.

“I think this is the best part of the season as you start getting the big matches such as the semi-finals and finals, and it’s a time that all players look forward to,” said Powell.

He added: “At the moment we just want to win every game that we play going into the end of season play-offs.”

Upping sticks to Newcastle last week, the cockney born and bred hit-man admits he has received a friendly welcome from everyone at the club.

He said: “Everyone has been really friendly to me and I have been made to feel welcome – it also helps that Noah [Cato] is here as I’ve known him for a long time.”

You can watch more of Powell’s interview on Falcons TV shortly.

Gloucester boost second row options with signing of James Hudson

Posted on Mar 19, 2013 in Gloucester

Gloucester Rugby have announced that Newcastle Falcons lock, James Hudson, will move to Kingsholm ahead of the 2013-14 season.

31 year old Hudson will move south after four years with the Falcons, during which time he has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet and a real leader, captaining the side for two seasons.

He started his career at Bath Rugby, then moved along the M4 to London Irish where his stay included a start in the 2008-9 Premiership Final, before his move to Newcastle.

As well as making well in excess of 100 Premiership appearances, he has also been capped at England Saxons level.

A renowned lineout expert, he will be a valuable addition to the Gloucester first team squad from next season according to Director of Rugby Nigel Davies.

“I’m delighted that James has agreed to join Gloucester. He’s a proven Premiership performer and a very shrewd lineout operator.

“He’s also very mobile for a big man, which will suit the way we try and play the game.

“He will also bring experience and leadership qualities to the squad, which will be valuable assets. I’m very much looking forward to him arriving for preseason.”

Meanwhile, Hudson admitted that leaving Newcastle after four seasons had not been an easy decision to make, but that he’s excited about the next step in his playing career.

“I’ve enjoyed my time hugely with the Falcons. They’ve been a massive part of my career, and I’m fully committed to playing my part in helping them regain their Premiership status before I leave.

“However, I felt that now was the time for a new challenge. I’ve always enjoyed playing at Kingsholm as an away player, it’s a fabulous stadium with a passionate crowd.

“And talking to Nigel Davies, I was excited about his plans for the future for Gloucester and my potential role within that. It was something that I decided I definitely wanted to be part of.

“My priority now though is to finish what we’ve started at the Falcons and, hopefully, I’ll be facing Newcastle as a Gloucester player in the Premiership next season.”

Brookes bolsters Falcon’s pack

Posted on Mar 6, 2013 in Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle Falcons are pleased to announce the signing of Kieran Brookes from Leicester Tigers on a dual registration contract until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old prop returns to Newcastle for his second spell at the club and is in line to figure against Bedford Blues in the RFU Championship this Friday (kick-off 8pm).

Graduating from the Falcons’ Academy, Brookes made the switch to Leicester ahead of the 2011-12 season after making 40 appearances for the North East outfit.

Capped by Ireland at Under-19 and Under-20 level as well as playing for England Under-20s in the 2010 Six Nations, the Stoke-on-Trent-born front-rower adds undoubted steel to the Falcons pack.

“I am really pleased to be back in Newcastle and I am looking forward to playing regular first team rugby again,” said Brookes, who featured for England Saxons against Scotland A last month.

He added: “From first impressions I can see that there has been a lot of positive change taking place at the club since I was last here.

“There is a new coaching set-up, new medical suite and new personnel at the top which really bodes well for the future of the club.”

Now the former Fylde RFC junior is itching to showcase his talents at Kingston Park in front of a passionate North East and Cumbria fan base.

“It will be great to get back out there in front of the Newcastle fans again, and it is an awesome feeling to walk out onto Kingston Park,” added Brookes.

Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Kieran is a good acquisition for the club, and he brings strong go-forward to the pack as we prepare for the end of season play-offs.”

Swainston added to England Saxons squad

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 in England Saxons

LONDON WASPS prop Phil Swainston is to join the England Saxons squad training to face Scotland A at Newcastle on Friday night (8pm).

He replaces Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby), who has returned to Kingsholm to have his sore left knee is assessed by the club’s medical team.

Swainston, 23, has made 13 first team appearances for Wasps after joining the club from Leeds Carnegie last summer.