Newcastle team news

Posted on Mar 10, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons head coach Alan Tait has rotated his back division for Friday’s LV= Cup semi-final showdown against Harlequins, at the Twickenham Stoop (kick-off 8pm).

Alex Tait makes the switch to full-back while Danny Williams and Gcobani Bobo both get a chance to impress on the wing. The Falcons pack remains strong with New Zealander Brent Wilson retaining his position at flanker.

The Falcons put Harlequins to the sword last week with a 33-18 victory in front of a vocal Kingston Park crowd.

Newcastle centre Luke Eves, believes his side has what it takes to triumph in the capital saying: “We got our tactics pretty much spot-on last Friday, but we will be throwing a few new things in this time round.

“Quins will know a bit more of what we are about, and will have analysed the video of Friday’s game, so we just have to freshen it up and keep them guessing to a certain extent. That’s always the case when you play teams back-to-back, and there will be one or two new bits chucked in there just to mix it up.”

Newcastle

15 Alex Tait
14 Danny Williams
13 Luke Eves
12 James Fitzpatrick
11 Gcobani Bobo
10 Jimmy Gopperth
9 Micky Young

1 Jon Golding
2 Matt Thompson
3 Euan Murray
4 James Hudson
5 Andrew Van der Heijden
6 Tim Swinson
7 Brent Wilson
8 Ally Hogg

Replacements

16 Rob Vickers
17 Grant Shiells
18 Kieran Brookes
19 Filipo Levi
20 Mark Wilson
21 Hall Charlton
22 Tane Tu’ipulotu
23 Tom Catterick

Newcastle sign scrum-half Jordi

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons are pleased to confirm the capture of 20-year-old Gloucester scrum-half Jordi Pasqualin.

The Sheffield born half-back is a product of the Gloucester academy, and will move to Kingston Park for the start of the 2011/12 campaign.

Pasqualin, who currently plays for England under-20s, has made 15 appearances for the Cherry and Whites so far this season including an Aviva Premiership outing against the Falcons back in November.

Head coach Alan Tait said: “I’m keen to build a young team here and Jordi is somebody I’ve been looking at. I like the way he plays the game and nine times out of 10 he will always find his No.10 with the pass.

“This is a step forward as we look to bring attacking rugby to Kingston Park.”

The club are still in the market for further additions to the backline.

Welch pens new deal with Falcons

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 in Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons can confirm that industrious flanker Will Welch has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Kingston Park.

The 20-year-old Geordie joined the Falcons first team squad having come through the club’s successful academy system.

Welch’s first team bow came in 2008 against Newport Gwent Dragons in the Anglo/Welsh Cup, before signing senior forms at the end of the campaign.

A former Royal Grammar School pupil, Welch has represented England at Under-18s, 19s and 20s levels.

The following campaign Welch notched up 20 first team appearances, scoring a try in a home European win over Albi.

Fact file
Date of birth: 03/04/1990
Birthplace: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Height: 1.88m (6’ 2”)
Position: Flanker

Bourgoin vs Newcastle match postponed

Posted on Jan 23, 2011 in Rugby News

The Amlin Challenge Cup Pool 3 Round 6 game between Bourgoin and Newcastle Falcons at Stade Pierre Rajon has been postponed for a second time.

The game was initially due to be played on Saturday, 22 January, but was postponed because of a partially frozen pitch.

The game was rescheduled for today (Sunday, 23 January) at 14h00. However, following a pitch inspection by the referee Neil Paterson (Scotland), the playing surface was once again deemed to be unplayable and the game will now not take place.

The circumstances surrounding the postponement of the fixture will be considered by the Board of ERC who will determine the outcome of the match.

Falcons make eight changes for Montpelier visit

Posted on Jan 14, 2011 in Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons boss Alan Tait has made eight changes for the visit of Montpellier in the Amlin Challenge Cup on Friday (kick-off 8pm).

Alex Tait starts for the first time since damaging ankle ligaments against Exeter in the same competition last month, while talented scrum half Chris Pilgrim is handed the No.9 jersey.

Luke Eves and Michael Tait make up the heart of the Falcons backline, with Danny Williams getting the nod on the wing.

In the pack, the Falcons will be boosted by the return of Jon Golding who partners Matt Thompson and James Hall in the front row. And Filipo Levi is the only other change, as Newcastle opt for a strong frontline against what is expected to be a physical Montpellier outfit.

Tait said: “I really look forward to these European competitions. I’ve not got many concerns and I was pleased with the finish to the game on Friday.

“This competition poses new challenges but we’re at home and we feel we’ve got a good chance of putting on a good performance and getting a result. It’s at Kingston Park and it’s a chance for some of the other lads in the squad to take centre stage.”

Newcastle

15 A Tait
14 Williams
13 M Tait
12 Eves
11 Amesbury
10 Gopperth
9 Pilgrim

1 Golding
2 Thompson
3 J Hall
4 Hudson
5 Levi
6 B Wilson
7 Welch
8 M Wilson

Replacements

16 Graham
17 Ward
18 Fearn
19 Townson
20 Gray
21 Hodgson
22 Henderson
23 Fitzpatrick