Director of Rugby: Dean Richards
Captain: Will Welch
2013/2014 Position: 11th
Predicted Position 2014/2015: 9th
Newcastle Falcons Season Preview
The Falcons struggled last term winning only 3 of their league games and only scoring 23 tries.
Head Coach Dean Richards will be hoping for a major improvement in both defence and attack.
Signing two of the infamous Tuilagi brothers, Alesana and Anitelea should help in both departments. Plenty of big hits will be expected at Kingston Park with both brothers to the fore.
Defence Coach Graham Steadman will have been annoyed to say the least with regard to Newcastle’s defending last term and should have his players extremely well drilled this season, and especially for their opening weekend trip to Welford Road when they take on Leicester.
One of the main reasons Newcastle failed to fire in 2013/2014 was due to an under performing pack.
Josh Furno and Kane Thompson have also been signed to provide a much needed boost to the lineout and general forward play. Expect Furno and Thompson to be at the fulcrum of a much improved Newcastle forward division this season. Rob Hawkins could also be an inspired signing and also key to this improvement.
The Falcons still seem to be very short on quality in their backs. Phil Godman and Rory Clegg are extremely talented but do not show enough consistency at out half. Alex Tait and Lee Smith are exciting with ball in hand and fans will be demanding more from them.
I expect Dean Richards’ team to improve significantly and this should see them climb a little from last year to 9th. For the team to enhance their league position the Falcons need an experienced number 10.
Players In:
Eric Fry (Prop) from London Scottish
Rob Hawkins (Hooker) from Leicester Tigers
Calum Green (Second Row) from Leeds Carnegie
Uili Kolo’ofai (Second Row) from US Colomiers
Kane Thompson (Second Row/Back Row) from Chiefs
Joshua Furno (Second Row/Back Row) from Biarritz Olympique
Ruki Tipuna (Scrum Half) from Bristol Rugby
Juan Pablo Socino (Centre) from Rotherham Titans
Anitelea Tuilagi (Centre/Wing) from Newport Gwent Dragons
Alesana Tuilagi (Wing) from NTT Shining Arcs Japan
Players Out:
Franck Montanella (Prop) to Biarritz Olympique
Grant Shiells (Prop) to Bath Rugby
Harry Spencer (Second Row) to AS Macon
Fraser McKenzie (Second Row/Back Row) to Edinburgh Rugby
Chris Pilgrim (Scrum Half) to Leeds Carnegie
Joel Hodgson (Scrum Half/Out Half) to Northampton Saints
James Fitzpatrick (Centre) to Leeds Carnegie
Michael Tait (Wing) to Edinburgh Rugby
Alex Crockett Retired
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