Nottingham complete signing of New Zealander Brent Wilson

Posted on Nov 9, 2011 in Championship, English Rugby, Nottingham

Former Newcastle Falcon, Brent Wilson, 30 has completed a return to English rugby, signing an 18 month contract with Nottingham Rugby.

Wilson, a 6’3” flanker from Napier, returned to the UK last week after a spell back in New Zealand playing for provincial side North Harbour. He is familiar with these shores, having spent five seasons with Newcastle Falcons, between 2006 and 2010, but Wilson doesn’t count as an overseas player due to his wife’s British passport.

Director of Rugby, Glenn Delaney commented: “Brent is a very experienced flanker, having had five years of playing for the Newcastle Falcons, as well as two spells at North Harbour. He’s a proven leader, and both the coaching staff and players are extremely pleased he’s joining the team.”

Wilson spent many of his younger days on the blindside flank, but is equally adept in the other back row positions. He joins an already strong back row, featuring: Tonga’s Sione Kalamafoni, England U20s Alex Shaw, Scotland U20’s Johnny Baird, English Counties Phil Eggleshaw and skipper Craig Hammond.

On completing the move Wilson said: “When the opportunity to return to England and join a successful team in the Championship arose, I was extremely interested. Having played premiership rugby for a number of seasons, I hope to be able to bring a bit of experience to Nottingham and help the team climb up the table to challenge for honours.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in England, both here and in Newcastle with the Falcons, and both my wife and I have enjoyed being here. So making the move was an obvious one for both of us and we are pleased to be settling into an environment we are happy with.”

Wilson began training today (8 November) and will be hoping to be selected for the forthcoming British and Irish Cup match against Pontypridd at Meadow Lane on Sunday 13th November, kick off 3pm. The club is offering a special 2 for 1 ticket offer for all fans and members can receive a free ticket on presentation of their club card. Advance tickets can be purchased from the club by phoning 0115 9070070.

New trialist arrives at Rotherham

Posted on Aug 9, 2011 in Championship, English Rugby

Barnie Maddison has arrived at Rotherham this week, on a trial basis and will be looking to grab a contract at Clifton Lane.

The 22 year-old Englishman, played last season for Tynedale in National Division One and has recently been training with Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.

Titans Head Coach Andre Bester is pleased to give Maddison his chance and believes he can make his mark in the Championship. Bester said, "He’s coming on trial with us next week, he’s highly rated and he’s more than capable of making the grade."

"He’s been playing for Tynedale in the division below us and he’s been their man of the match on numerous occasions. He was the captain at Leeds Met and he’s been training at Newcastle Falcons for the last few months."

"He’s 6′ 5" and a young guy who’s very aggressive. That’s what we want here at Rotherham, we want young people that want to go and get things, not asking how and whos going to do it, but people that say, give the opportunity to me, I want it."

Falcons secure raw talent

Posted on Jun 30, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Less than 24 hours after snapping up England under-18 forward Joe Robinson, hooker, George McGuigan is the latest young starlet to sign professional forms with Newcastle Falcons.

McGuigan, 18, who hails from Richmond, North Yorkshire caught the eye of club bosses following a string of impressive performances last season.

The talented No. 2 played for North of England last term before crossing the pond to turn out for Irish under-18 clubs through the Irish Exiles route.

While registered with Mowden Park RFC, McGuigan made a cameo appearance for Newcastle ‘A’ at Worcester back in April.

Assistant academy coach Mark Laycock has kept a close eye on the former Darlington RFC junior, who went on to represent Durham County at every age group.

He said: “George is the first player to come through our Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence programme at Gosforth Academy and sign a professional contract in its short history. That is testament to the work Ed Midcalf has done with him over the past two seasons.

“George is a powerful ball carrier and is aggressive in the contact area. With full-time training and support he will no doubt develop into a very good professional.”

England U18 FIRA tournament squad announcement

Posted on Apr 12, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

England U18 Head Coach John Fletcher has named a squad of 24 ahead of this season’s FIRA tournament semi-final against Wales on Sunday, April 17, kick off 5pm. The game will take place in Auch in the south of France.

Fletcher’s side have had a mixed season, enjoying wins against Ireland and Italy earlier in the year before suffering a 26-21 defeat against Scotland just over two weeks ago in Leeds.

A win against the Welsh would take England into the final of the competition against either Ireland or hosts France on Saturday, April 23 in Tarbes.

England welcome influential Ivybridge College and Exeter Chiefs full back Jack Nowell back into the squad after he missed the Scotland clash, but are still without Nowell’s injured club colleague, prop Luke Cowan-Dickie. Newcastle Falcons No. 8 Joe Robinson joins up with the squad having recently represented England Clubs & Schools U18 in their 23-all draw against Ireland U18 Clubs in Dublin.

Speaking ahead of the game Fletcher said: “We’ve got a few players missing due to injury but the lads that have come in are all top players and they’ll be fine. I’m happy with the squad and we’ll be looking to put in a big performance against Wales on Sunday.

“It was disappointing to lose to Scotland but I’m keen to see how we bounce back.”

England U18 FIRA Squad

FORWARDS

Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s Grammar School) (Leeds Carnegie)
Joe Buckle (Bryanston) (Bath Rugby)
Jack Clifford (RGS Guildford) (Harlequins)
Max Crumpton (Oaklands College) (Saracens)
Matt Hankin (Haileybury College) (Saracens)
Danny Herriott (Moulton College) (Northampton Saints)
Alec Hepburn (Henley College) (London Wasps)
Tom Jubb (Oaklands College) (Saracens)
Nathan Morris (Sedbergh School) (London Wasps)
Joe Robinson (Sedbergh School) (Newcastle Falcons)
David Sisi (St Paul’s Catholic College) (London Irish)
Tom Smallbone (Harrow School) (London Irish)
Scott Spurling (Harrow School) (Saracens)

BACKS

Jack Arnott (Ivybridge College) (Exeter Chiefs)
Alex Day (St Joseph’s College) (Northampton Saints)
Sam Hill (Ivybridge College) (Exeter Chiefs)
Will Hooley (The Leys School) (Northampton Saints)
Mark Jennings (Myerscough College) (Sale Sharks)
James Lightfoot-Brown (St Paul’s Catholic College) (London Irish)
Jack Nowell (Truro College) (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Slade (Plymouth College) (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Stephenson (Moulton College) (Northampton Saints)
Anthony Watson (St George’s College) (London Irish)
Marcus Webber (Manchester Grammar) (Leeds Carnegie)

Saracens name team to face Newcastle Falcons

Posted on Mar 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

After a three week break, second placed Saracens return to Aviva Premiership Rugby action on Sunday against Newcastle Falcons at Vicarage Road, kick off is 3pm.

In team news ahead of the game, Matt Stevens gets his second start for the club to come in at loose head prop while second row Hayden Smith, scrum half Neil De Kock and wing James Short return to the starting XV.

Chris Wyles is named at outside centre with Adam Powell continuing his return from injury on the bench.

David Strettle, fresh from international duty with England, starts at wing while Scottish international back row Kelly Brown is on the bench.

Saracens line-up vs Newcastle Falcons

15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Chris Wyles
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Neil de Kock
1 Matt Stevens
2 Schalk Brits
3 Carlos Nieto
4 Steve Borthwick (c)
5 Hayden Smith
6 Justin Melck
7 Andy Saull
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Jared Saunders
18 Petrus du Plessis
19 Hugh Vyvyan
20 Kelly Brown
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Adam Powell
23 Noah Cato