It seems so far away, yet the new season is slowly creeping up on us. More excitingly, new signings are being announced all over the country and it’s looking to be one of the most exhilarating seasons in years in the battle for the title. For those itching for the Premiership to start, it might be good to get to know your club’s new faces a little better.
Finishing second to bottom, Newcastle will be hoping to pull everything out the bag next season to improve on last year’s results. With no less than 10 signings confirmed so far, it’s clear to see that Dean Richard’s wants to strengthen his back row to make an impact throughout the Premiership. With the surprise announcement of not one but two Tuilagi brothers signing for the northern club, anticipation surrounding Newcastle’s prospects continues to increase.
Newcastle Falcons Signings
Juan Pablo Socino
Age: 26
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 15st 6lbs
Position: Centre
The Argentinian centre, who can also play fly-half, joins the Falcons from Championship side Rotherham, for whom he scored an impressive 310 points in 25 matches last year. Socino represented his country in both Under-19’s and Under-20’s teams, and then twice in the 2014 Tblisi Cup, where he scored 36 points. The step up to the Premiership is an opportunity for him to develop as a player as well as improve his chances of playing for his country, whilst hopefully adding points next to Newcastle’s name.
Calum Green
Age: 24
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 18st 10lbs
Position: Lock
Green has played the last two seasons for Leeds Carnegie, but has experienced the Premiership before with Leicester Tigers, his league debut dating back to 2009. Playing for England Under-16’s and then the Under-20’s in the Junior World Championship, he boasts international experience alongside his 19 appearances for Tigers and 38 for Leeds. There is no question Green will relish as part of the Falcons pack, his powerful runs and ball-carrying abilities standing him in good stead, amongst the number of choices that are available to Dean Richards in the lock position.
Eric Fry
Age: 26
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 15st 3lbs
Position: Prop
Another player progressing from the Championship to Premiership is American Eric Fry. He currently holds 26 caps for the USA and was part of the team who beat Uruguay in the final round of qualifications to book a place in the 2015 World Cup. Having played 18 times last season for London Scottish, Fry is renowned for being a key member of the front row and could be a pivotal player in Falcons scrummaging.
Joshua Furno
Age: 24
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 17st 10lbs
Position: Lock
Moving to Newcastle from Biarritz Olympique, Furno has well and truly made his talent known throughout the Top 14. He played 24 times for the French side last season whilst also playing for Italy. His international debut came in the 2012 Six Nations against Scotland, a bill that, when repeated two years later, Furno was to win Man of the Match. This accolade came from a performance where he scored his first ever try for his country. As long as he gets enough game time with Falcons, there is a possibility that the Italian Lock could feature in next year’s World Cup.
Ruki Tipuna
Age: 31
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 11st 11lbs
Position: Scrum Half
Tipuna is a previous member of the Hurricanes team in the Super Rugby competiton, holding 10 caps with them. He has also played for New Zealand Maori’s, but moved from the Southern Hemisphere in 2011 to join Bristol. Since then he made over 60 appearances for the Championship side, and will now use his experience gained from across the world, surely to Newcastle’s advantage.
Rob Hawkins
Age: 31
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 15st 5lbs
Position: Hooker
The former Leicester Tigers hooker was part of the Premiership winning side of 2013, and was a firm favourite amongst the fans who could rely on his natural talent and consistency. In the four years he spent there, Hawkins made 61 appearances. He played for England Under 21’s, so his long and successful career could possibly result in him being starting choice at Newcastle over Lawson, Thompson or McGuicgan.
Uili Kolo’ofai
Age: 31
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 18st 8lbs
Position: Lock
Also able to play flanker, the tall Tongan has only made one appearance for his national side when they played Romania. He arrives at Newcastle from French side US Colomiers, who finished mid-table in the Pro D2 last season. Despite a lack of international experience, the versatility of Kolo’ofai could prove himself useful, if other players are injured or away playing internationally.
Kane Thompson
Age: 32
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 17st 8lbs
Position: Lock
It will be Thompson’s first time playing in the Premiership during his nine-year career, moving to Newcastle from New Zealand based Chiefs. The Samoan holds 28 test caps to his name and has taken part in both the 2007 and 2011 World Cup’s. His history of gritty performances at lock, as well as ability to switch to back-row, means Dean Richards could utilise him to put Newcastle on the front foot in physically demanding matches.
Alesana Tuilagi
Age: 33
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 18st 6lbs
Position: Centre
The centre/winger is undoubtedly one of Newcastle’s best signings. The giant from Samoa has made 29 test appearances, including the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, playing a vital role throughout both and making him one of the country’s stars. Before playing 12 times for NTT Shining Arcs (where he joins the Falcons from), ‘Alex’ dazzled Leicester Tigers with his immense talent. Spending eight years at the East Midlands club, he appeared 162 times and was named the Premiership’s top try scorer for the 2010/11 season. He was also awarded Man of the Match in Tigers victory over Gloucester in the 2006/07 Premiership final. This Tuilagi brother will definitely make his mark upon his return to English top-flight rugby, and will no doubt feature in the starting squad.
Anitelea Tuilagi
Age: 28
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 17st 8lbs
Position: Wing
Like his brother, ‘Andy’ Tuilagi is able to play at both centre and on the wing. He has recently been at Newport Gwent Dragons, joining them in 2011 and making 29 caps after his debut in December 2011 against Glasgow. Previous to that he spent time, like many of the Tuilagi brothers, at Tigers. He advanced from the academy and signed a two-year contract, but was loaned out to Leeds for the second year. Whilst playing at club level, he has also scored 25 points in 17 games for Samoa, getting nine of those 17 before turning 21 years old. The powerhouse made his international debut aged only 19, playing alongside his brother Alex. The relationship between these two on the field has proven dynamic and dangerous, so Newcastle have struck gold signing both of these for next season.
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