NewcastleFalcons vs Bath Rugby - Programme - 05/11/2022

NEWCASTLE FALCONS V BATH RUGBY - SAT NOV 5TH, 2022

STELRAD 

HELPING 

TO HEAT 

HOMES 

SUSTAINABLY 

Proudly supporting 

Not just any rad. Stelrad. 

FALCONS VS BATH LINE-UPS 

ELLIOTT OBATOYINBO 15 

ADAM RADWAN 14 

GEORGE WACOKECOKE 13 

PETE LUCOCK 12 

BEN STEVENSON 11 

BRETT CONNON 10 

MICHAEL YOUNG (CAPTAIN) 9 

ADAM BROCKLEBANK 1 

JAMIE BLAMIRE 2 

RICHARD PALFRAMAN 3 

MATTHEW DALTON 4 

SEBASTIAN DE CHAVES 5 

FREDDIE LOCKWOOD 6 

CONNOR COLLETT 7 

CALLUM CHICK 8 

REPLACEMENTS 

GEORGE MCGUIGAN 16 

PHIL BRANTINGHAM 17 

MARK TAMPIN 18 

GEORGE MERRICK 19 

GUY PEPPER 20 

SAM STUART 21 

TIAN SCHOEMAN 22 

TOM PENNY 23 

REFEREE: 

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TELEVISION MATCH OFFICIAL: 

CITING OFFICER: 

15 MATT GALLAGHER 

14 GABRIEL HAMER-WEBB 

13 OLLIE LAWRENCE 

12 MAX OJOMOH 

11 RUARIDH MCCONNOCHIE 

10 GEORGE WORBOYS 

9 MAX GREEN 

1 VALERIY MOROZOV 

2 TOM DUNN (CAPTAIN) 

3 D’ARCY RAE 

4 FERGUS LEE-WARNER 

5 QUINN ROUX 

6 TED HILL 

7 MILES REID 

8 RICHARD DE CARPENTIER 

REPLACEMENTS 

16 NIALL ANNETT 

17 ARTHUR CORDWELL 

18 JOHANNES JONKER 

19 TOM ELLIS 

20 JOSH BAYLISS 

21 TOM CARR-SMITH 

22 BILLY SEARLE 

23 JONATHAN JOSEPH 

HAMISH SMALES 

JAMES CLARKE, GARETH HOLSGROVE 

DEAN RICHARDS 

ANDY BLYTH

After a couple of free weekends it is great to be back in the thick of the 

action as we welcome Bath to Kingston Park Stadium for what is the 

250th Premiership game to be played here. 

It’s nice to reach that kind of milestone, and having appeared in a fair 

few of those during my own playing career I know how much of a factor 

it can be in our favour. 

There have been a lot of great games here over the years, we love the 

atmosphere that our fans create and we know it’s a ground that opposition 

teams don’t like coming to. It’s our home, we love it and we hope to 

be celebrating the 250th Premiership game here with another good win. 

Having taken two bonus points in a one-point defeat during our last 

Gallagher Premiership match at Northampton Saints, we then travelled 

down to Leicester Tigers and enjoyed a Premiership Rugby Cup victory 

in our most recent outing. 

I thought the boys did really well, and it was classic Falcons in that we 

were in complete control at half-time, allowed Leicester back into the 

game but showed good resilience to score at the death and set up Louie 

Johnson for a great kick to win it with the last play. 

A lot of lads showed us what they can do, and on the back of that game 

we have had a couple of free weekends coming into today’s game. 

The break probably came at a good time for us because it’s been a hectic 

start to the season with all the midweek games, and we’ve been 

carrying some injuries. We’ve had a few battered and bruised bodies 

which have had some time to heal, and it’s a good time to take stock 

of where we’re at. 

As for today’s visitors from Bath, they’ve had a difficult start in terms 

of their league position, and similarly to us their results haven’t always 

reflected how they’ve played. 

They’ve got some big players and some dangerous runners in their 

squad, and they’ve recruited six or seven guys from Worcester to boost 

their cause at a time when they’ve needed it. They’ve got that depth 

now as a result, and after beating Northampton in their last game a fortnight 

ago they’ve shown they can turn it into a result. That will give them 

confidence, but we’re hopeful and confident we can make it difficult for 

them today. 

It is that time of year when international rugby also comes into the 

equation, and we have had a number of players called up to train and 

play for their countries. 

George McGuigan, Sean Robinson and Adam Radwan have all been in the 

England squad preparing for tomorrow’s home test against Argentina, 

who themselves include three Newcastle players in Mateo Carreras, 

Matias Orlando and Matias Moroni. 

DAVE WALDER 

“It reflects really well on 

us as a club to have guys 

playing international 

rugby.” 

Greg Peterson is also in Dubai helping the USA try to qualify for next 

year’s Rugby World Cup, and it’s a double-edged sword in some respects 

because these guys are important players for us. 

We want our guys to be playing international rugby because it’s an honour 

for them and the club, and ultimately we will benefit by virtue of 

them being exposed to that level of training and playing. 

It also gets Newcastle Falcons’ name out on the international stage, 

and says to players that being at this club is good for your international 

prospects. It reflects really well on us as a club to have guys playing 

international rugby, and I’m delighted for the lads that they are having 

that involvement. 

The players who are available to us will continue to give their best as we 

work together to get ourselves climbing up the league table, and once 

again I’d like to thank you all for coming along today and supporting 

the club. 

DAVE WALDER 

Head coach 

5

CLUB NEWS 

FESTIVE FIXTURE 

CONFIRMED 

Newcastle Falcons’ festive home fixture has been confirmed, with 

Sale Sharks visiting Kingston Park Stadium on Friday December 23. 

PETERSON ON DUTY IN DUBAI 

Newcastle Falcons lock Greg Peterson is in Dubai aiming to help the 

USA qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup. 

The Eagles have been forced into the final qualification round after 

losing a play-off against Chile , with a four-way shoot-out between 

themselves, Kenya, Hong Kong and Portugal for the 20th and final 

spot at France 2023. 

The USA open their account tomorrow against Kenya before tests 

against Hong Kong (Saturday November 12) and Portugal (Friday 

November 18). 

All games will be played at the venue of the Dubai 7s, with teams 

aiming to accrue the most competition points over the duration of 

the qualifiers. 

The nation coming out on top will join Rugby World Cup Pool C 

alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia. 

The USA are once again led by former 

Falcons coach Gary Gold, who said: “Our 

defence is improving and we’re trying 

to be more of a threat with the ball in 

hand. 

Manu Tuilagi 

Tickets for the 7.45pm kick-off are now available via the club 

website, from the ticket office in person or by calling 0191 214 5588 

(option 1). 

“Day-in and day-out training for the 

last few weeks has also been a positive 

element as the group continues to 

realign for the international stage. 

“This extended assembly time has been 

fundamental for both the players and 

coaching staff as we set ourselves up 

for the best opportunities in Dubai.” 

The clash of the Gallagher Premiership’s northern rivals is expected 

to prove popular, with supporters urged to book in advance to avoid 

missing out on tickets in their preferred area of the stadium. 

The Sharks have enjoyed a strong start to the season under 

Alex Sanderson, with the Premiership’s northern ‘derby’ being 

resurrected following last year’s cancellation due to Covid. 

Following today’s game, Newcastle Falcons’ next home outing 

comes on Saturday November 19 when Northampton Saints are the 

visitors in Premiership Rugby Cup action. 

Tickets for the 3.30pm kick-off are on sale now, and season 

ticket holders are reminded that this game is part of their 

package. 

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9

TYNE MET RUGBY 

EXCELLENCE 

We would love to thank our Tyne Met cohort for kindly volunteering 

their support this Autumn. 

A fantastic start to the year has seen all 70 of this year’s students 

making a great start academically and on the rugby pitch, but also 

contributing to the community. 

In such a short space of time the students have made a great 

effort to help where possible. For every Newcastle Falcons home 

match they have volunteered as ball crew to ensure all games run 

smoothly. 

interventions and lifestyle adjustments to help promote heart 

health. The programme consists of rugby-themed physical activity 

and healthy lifestyle workshops, with a focus on reducing the risk of 

heart disease. 

To register your interest please email falconscommunity@ 

newcastle-falcons.co.uk or visit our pop-up stall in the West Stand 

at today’s game. 

PROJECT RUGBY MIXED 

ABILITY RUGBY 

It has been a busy autumn for Falcons Community, from coaching 

camps to match-day festivals, and we are delighted to update you 

on all our exciting news, programmes and upcoming events 

OCTOBER COACHING CAMPS 

Falcons Community had a fantastic week hosting our October 

half-term camps at Kingston Park, Ashington RFC, Hartlepool RFC 

and Penrith RFC. We were thrilled to have a total of 291 participants 

getting involved, with everyone’s excitement and enthusiasm 

helping make the week very special. 

Our October camps have been one of our biggest yet, and we 

hope to continue to grow. Our camps are designed to help improve 

participants’ rugby skills, techniques, game awareness and much 

more, whilst having fun with friends. 

Keep an eye www.rugbycamps.co.uk/falcons for future dates, or 

email falconscommunity@newcastle-falcons.co.uk. 

For the last two home games the students have helped with a 

bucket collection for Lulu’s Teenage Cancer Trust Fundraiser and 

The Red Sky Foundation. Additional to this, they all underwent an 

RFL refereeing course to gain their referee qualification. 

As well as this being a great skill to gain, they were all able to utilise 

what they had learned and helped run and referee the ‘Squads on 

the Tyne’ festival at Kingston Park. The following day, the students 

gave up their time to help volunteer for the opening ceremony of 

the Rugby League World Cup. 

If this programme is of interest to you, please contact adam. 

pollock@tynecoast.ac.uk. 

Our Monday night Mixed Ability rugby sessions are well underway, 

and you can be part of the action. 

Mixed ability is a fantastic all-inclusive version of the game, 

incorporating the full spirit of rugby. Join us every Monday night 

6-7pm at Tyne Met College Sports Hall. 

Our FREE mixed ability rugby sessions involve non-contact themed 

activities, suitable for high-functioning disabilities. Mixed ability 

rugby is open to ages 12+, and no experience is required. For more 

information please email falconscommunity@newcastle-falcons. 

co.uk. 

FALCONS FIT 

Falcons Fit, supported by Heart of the Tyne, is our brand-new heart 

health and physical wellbeing programme, starting in January 2023. 

A 12-week programme running every Wednesday between 6:30- 

8pm at Kingston Park, Falcons Fit is aimed at individuals aged 18 and 

over, looking to improve their heart health. 

Falcons Fit is designed to help educate participants on health 

10 11

QUIZ TIME 

Test your knowledge on all things rugby with our ten-question teaser. Answers are 

upside down at the bottom of the page. 

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Q1 Head of rugby Johann van Graan joined 

Bath in the summer from which team? 

Q2 Which Newcastle Falcons player is 

pictured here? 

Q7 Which Stormers star was named URC 

Player of the Season for 2021-22? 

Q8 Which former Bath and England great is 

pictured here? 

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Q3 Which two current Bath players appeared 

for Newcastle Falcons last season? 

Q4 ‘Clue Pocket’ is an anagram of which 

Newcastle Falcons player’s name? 

Q5 In what year did Bath win the Heineken 

Cup final? 

Q6 Newcastle Falcons’ final home game 

of 2022 is against which team on Friday 

December 23? 

Q9 True or false, Newcastle Falcons forwards 

coach Micky Ward had a cameo appearance 

in Byker Grove, where he played a mis-behaving 

paper-boy? 

Q10 Thanks to his two tries at Leicester 

Tigers on October 19, which player took his 

points tally for Newcastle Falcons up to the 

200 mark? 

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Delivering a fantastic customer experience. 

ANSWERS: 1 Munster, 2 Sebastian de Chaves, 3 Louis Schreuder and Max Wright, 4 Pete Lucock, 

5 1998, 6 Sale Sharks, 7 Evan Roos, 8 Victor Ubogu, 9 False, 10 Alex Tait. 

13

SEBASTIAN DE CHAVES 

“I was 

actually 

really 

close to 

signing 

for 

Cornish 

Pirates.” 

One of the many beauties of professional rugby is the opportunities 

it offers for travel, as Newcastle Falcons lock Sebastian de Chaves 

will testify. 

Playing on three continents so far and making the most of his 

second spell at Newcastle Falcons, the man who turned 32 last 

weekend has enjoyed every step of the way. 

“I was born and raised in Johannesburg in South Africa, where I 

lived up until the age of 22,” says De Chaves, who has made 20 

appearances for the Falcons, five of them this season. 

“In South Africa you grow up surrounded by rugby, although I was 

the only one in my family who really played. Me, my brother and 

my sister played pretty much every sport, but it was only at the 

age of 16 or 17 when I started to really focus on my rugby. 

“I played for my school team, which was just a small school, and 

I also played for Roodepoort Rugby Club. Eventually I got into 

the Lions’ system, which is our local professional province in 

Johannesburg, and I played Under-19s and 21s for them before 

stepping up to the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup.” 

Heading to Europe in his early 20s, De Chaves explains: “I was 

actually really close to signing for Cornish Pirates because my 

mum is British and I have a UK passport, but then in typical French 

style from out of nowhere my agent had a call from Mont de 

Marsan who offered me a contract to go there. I was basically put 

on the spot and told they needed an answer within 24 hours, so I 

just took the plunge of spending a season in the Top 14. 

“It was an amazing experience over there, and as you can imagine 

a big change on and off the field. I went from having lived all my 

life in Joburg to living in a small town in southern France as a 

21-year-old who didn’t speak the language and didn’t really know 

the way of the world. It was a culture shock and the first couple 

of months were really tough, but I got into it and didn’t really want 

to leave. 

“From there I went to Leicester Tigers, and again really enjoyed it. 

They’ve got a great history and have enjoyed a lot of success as 

a club, and it was really taking rugby back to how it used to be. I 

enjoyed being part of that hard-nosed set-up and I was lucky as 

a second row to be playing with the likes of Louis Deacon, Geoff 

Parling and Ed Slater. I learned so much from that time, and from 

there I was on to London Irish for three seasons. 

“They were a great group of lads and I enjoyed my first spell there, 

even though it was challenging on the pitch with being around the 

Premiership relegation stuff and getting promoted back up from 

the Championship. 

14 15

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“It was some of the most fun I’ve had in my rugby career in spite 

of all those challenges, and it was testament to the boys that they 

stayed tight and positive as a group. I was lucky to be around a lot 

of good people there, as I was when I left Irish and first came to 

Newcastle in 2019.” 

That season saw the Falcons unbeaten and well clear at the top 

of the league when it was suspended and eventually abandoned 

due to Covid, De Chaves saying: “I came in for the Championship 

promotion season, and loved it. 

“I enjoyed the coaching staff, the group of players and everything, 

and felt like I’d played a part in helping the club to get promoted. I 

liked it so much I came straight back when I got the opportunity, 

although I had a couple of moves before then. 

“The first of those was back to London Irish for the end of the 

Covid-affected Premiership season, which was great considering 

that the Falcons weren’t playing around that time. We had 

something like nine games in seven weeks, which after five 

months off was actually really welcome. 

“From there I had a great opportunity to go over and play Major 

League Rugby in Texas, signing with the Austin Gilgronis. During 

the last couple of weeks the club has actually folded, which is a 

shame, but I enjoyed my time there in terms of the rugby and the 

great off-field opportunity of living in a cool city like Austin. 

“The rugby side of it in America is still growing and still pretty 

young, and the lifestyle is completely different to the north of 

England. I love both obviously for different reasons, but it was the 

chance to try something new. Everything is big over there and the 

Texas weather is class, Austin has great good and great music, 

and it’s just a pity how everything ended up playing out for them. 

“Last season we won our regular-season competition but 

were disqualified by the league for some off-field stuff. It was 

unfortunate considering the amount of work everyone had put in, 

and from my own point of view my role there was a bit different. 

As someone who had played a fair bit of professional rugby they 

used me to help the guys who hadn’t really figured out how to 

be full-time players. They had the talent but they were pretty 

raw, and maybe need that bit of guidance about how to be a 

professional and do certain things.” 

Returning to Tyneside in the summer, he says: “Coming back to 

Newcastle was an easy decision for me because I’d loved my time 

here during my first spell, and also my girlfriend is from up here. I’d 

stayed in touch with a lot of the guys and the transition was pretty 

simple at a club I really like. 

“The people up here are the friendliest you’ll ever meet. In London 

the place is so massive you just lose touch with everyone, 

whereas in Newcastle there’s a bit more of a community feel. It’s 

17

“Coming back to 

Newcastle was an easy 

decision for me.” 

actually really beautiful as well, being close to the coast and the 

Lakes and all that, and there’s a bit of everything.” 

Showing no regrets about his well-travelled career, De Chaves 

insists: “Looking back, I’ve loved moving around and seeing loads 

of different places. I know I’ve been really fortunate to have 

loads of different experiences, but then part of me also admires 

the guys who have stayed at the one club and made 200 or so 

appearances. Will Welch is a Newcastle Falcons legend and I have 

huge respect for that, but I can’t complain when I’ve had so many 

great experiences and learned so much about myself. 

“I wouldn’t change how I’ve done it, although as you get older you 

tend to find you want to do less of the moving around. It’s exciting 

when you’re young and you’ve got no strings, but as you get older 

I think most people want that element of settling down.” 

Forming part of a Falcons side which claimed a pair of bonus 

points on their last league outing at Northampton, he adds: 

“We’ve got so many good players, and we’re just waiting for that 

80-minute performance. We’ve shown in small parts what we’re 

capable of, but this league is so brutal that teams will put you to 

the sword during those periods when you’re not quite on it. 

“We’ve shown we’re not here just to make up the numbers or 

get one or two wins – we’re here to put teams under sustained 

pressure and win loads of games. It’s all about putting it together 

to produce that 80-minute performance, and once we start 

getting that mix right we’ll be more than good. 

“In a lot of those tight games you probably find that you’re beating 

yourself rather than the opposition beating you. You’re making 

a lot of decisions which in isolation might seem really small, but 

when you put them together it makes a big impact. Once we 

get those decisions right we don’t put ourselves under as much 

pressure, but from being in and around this group every day I’m 

sure we’ve got enough to start putting teams to the sword.” 

Facing a Bath side who also boast one Premiership victory this 

season, the lock-forward says: “Bath are always tough opponents 

and they’ve got a lot of good players. 

“We can’t be going into this game taking them lightly, especially 

considering they’ve had their first win now – and I know we won’t 

be. The big focus is on us and what we can do, and with having 

two free weekends we can’t say there’s been a lack of preparation 

time. 

“We’ve spoken about a few things this week, and we’ll focus on 

the same things next week, then it’s putting those into action 

when we get out onto the field. To some degree it doesn’t matter 

what Bath bring because we’re so focused on ourselves, but yeah, 

they’re a good team with plenty of ability, so we’ll give them the 

respect they deserve.” 

A bye weekend and the cancellation of last weekend’s trip to 

Wasps has handed the Falcons an extended preparation going 

into today’s game, with De Chaves positive about the extra leadup 

time. 

“I’m not 21 years old any more, so having a couple of free 

weekends is probably quite welcome for some of the guys just to 

iron out some niggles,” he says. 

“Especially with having the midweek cup games it’s been a hectic 

start to the season, and the hope is that the guys will show that 

freshness coming into the Bath game. You’ve got to strike that 

balance between the guys being fresh and being match sharp, 

and I think we’ve done a decent job of that.” 

As well as offering the chance for precious league points today’s 

3pm kick-off also marks the 250th Premiership match held at 

Kingston Park Stadium. 

“I’ve been to Kingston Park as a home player and an away player, 

and I can tell you for certain that teams don’t like coming here,” 

says De Chaves. 

“It’s miles for them to travel, it’s often freezing cold and the 

Falcons have always been a gritty team who love to defend their 

own patch. No matter what the score is you know it’s going to 

be a physical 80 minutes, and that you’ll be thankful when it’s 

all over. 

“It’s great that it’s the 250th Premiership game here and is a 

nice little milestone, and hopefully we can have a game fit 

for the occasion.” 

18 19

PLAYER STATS 

Name 

Falcons 

career 

apps 

Falcons 

career 

points 

Falcons 

career 

tries 

Season 

2022-23 

apps 

Season 


points 

Season 


tries 

Name 

Falcons 

career 

apps 

Falcons 

career 

points 

Falcons 

career 

tries 

Season 


apps 

Season 


points 

Season 


tries 

Josh Barton 4 5 1 4 5 1 George McGuigan 161 230 46 6 25 5 

George Bennett-Teare 3 0 0 2 0 0 Oliver Melville 1 0 0 1 0 0 

James Blackett 5 3 0 3 3 0 George Merrick 11 0 0 6 0 0 

Jamie Blamire 69 70 14 6 10 2 Matias Moroni 2 0 0 2 0 0 

Phil Brantingham 6 0 0 4 0 0 Logovi'i Mulipola 65 20 4 4 5 1 

Adam Brocklebank 80 0 0 4 0 0 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti 31 15 3 3 0 0 

Conrad Cade 8 0 0 4 0 0 Elliott Obatoyinbo 3 10 2 3 10 2 

Mateo Carreras 22 35 7 5 25 5 Chidera Obonna 5 5 1 0 0 0 

Callum Chick 109 85 17 3 0 0 Matias Orlando 23 10 2 2 0 0 

Jeremy Civil 2 0 0 2 0 0 Richard Palframan 12 0 0 4 0 0 

Sam Clark 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tom Penny 77 50 10 4 10 2 

Connor Collett 24 10 2 5 5 1 Guy Pepper 1 0 0 1 0 0 

Brett Connon 72 304 2 4 20 0 Josh Peters 2 5 1 2 5 1 

Luke Coulston 1 0 0 1 0 0 Greg Peterson 61 15 3 5 0 0 

Matthew Dalton 5 0 0 3 0 0 Vereimi Qorowale 1 0 0 1 0 0 

Trevor Davison 97 20 4 4 0 0 Adam Radwan 76 220 44 6 5 1 

Sebastien de Chaves 20 0 0 5 0 0 Mike Rewcastle 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Matt Deehan 3 0 0 2 0 0 Sean Robinson 132 65 13 6 0 0 

Mark Dormer 2 0 0 2 0 0 Tian Schoeman 6 24 0 6 24 0 

Ben Douglas 3 0 0 2 0 0 Charlie Smith 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Nathan Earle 13 20 4 2 5 1 Oliver Spencer 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Carl Fearns 19 5 1 0 0 0 Iwan Stephens 9 20 4 3 5 1 

Ollie Fletcher 4 5 1 3 5 1 Ben Stevenson 53 80 18 4 0 0 

Gary Graham 88 80 16 0 0 0 Sam Stuart 65 30 6 3 0 0 

Ewan Greenlaw 2 0 0 2 0 0 Alex Tait 264 200 40 4 10 2 

Nathan Greenwood 1 5 1 1 5 1 Mark Tampin 60 0 0 7 0 0 

Will Hopes 2 0 0 2 0 0 Josh Thomas 2 8 0 2 8 0 

Louie Johnson 4 8 0 3 8 0 Marcus Tiffen 4 10 2 3 5 1 

Conor Kenny 4 0 0 3 0 0 Philip van der Walt 35 10 2 0 0 0 

Zach Kerr 9 5 1 3 0 0 George Wacokecoke 62 80 16 5 5 1 

Freddie Lockwood 12 0 0 2 0 0 Rory Ward 2 0 0 2 0 0 

Pete Lucock 31 5 1 5 0 0 Will Welch 275 90 18 4 0 0 

Charlie Maddison 22 5 1 5 0 0 Michael Young 185 100 20 2 0 0 

Tom Marshall 10 5 1 3 0 0

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22 

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FIRST TEAM SQUAD 

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

JOSH BARTON 

Scrum-half 

15/12/1997 

Height: 1.75m (5ft 8) 

Weight: 85kg (13st 5) 

JAMIE BLAMIRE 

Hooker 

22/12/1997 

Height: 1.85m (6ft) 

Weight: 112kg (17st 8) 

Honours: England 

ADAM BROCKLEBANK 

Prop 

06/09/1995 



Honours: England Students 

CONRAD CADE 

Prop 

27/01/1997 




PETE LUCOCK 

Centre 

27/11/1992 



CHARLIE MADDISON 

Hooker 

24/06/1991 



TOM MARSHALL 

Back row 

20/10/1999 



Honours: Scotland U20 

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

GEORGE MCGUIGAN 

Hooker 

30/03/1993 


Weight: 113kg (17st 11) 

Honours: England A 

MATEO CARRERAS 

Wing 

17/12/1999 



Honours: Argentina 

CALLUM CHICK 

Back row 





Geoff & Marie 

Penrice 

CONNOR COLLETT 

Back row 

05/02/1996 



BRETT CONNON 

Fly-half 

29/08/1996 


Weight: 89kg (14st) 

Honours: Ireland U20 

GEORGE MERRICK 

Lock 

04/10/1992 



Honours: England U20 

MATIAS MORONI 

Centre 

10/07/1991 




LOGOVI’I MULIPOLA 

Prop 

11/03/1987 



Honours: Samoa 

1. 1. 1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

CAMERON NORDLI-KELEMETI 

Scrum-half 

20/09/1999 




MATTHEW DALTON 

Lock 





TREVOR DAVISON 

Prop 

20/08/1992 




SEBASTIAN DE CHAVES 

Lock 

30/10/1990 



Honours: South Africa U20 

NATHAN EARLE 

Wing 

25/09/1994 



Honours: England XV 

ELLIOTT OBATOYINBO 

Full-back/wing 

9/10/1998 




MATIAS ORLANDO 

Centre 



Weight: 94kg (14st 11) 


RICHARD PALFRAMAN 

Prop 

20/12/1993 



1. 1. 1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

TOM PENNY 

Full-back 

13/10/1994 



CARL FEARNS 

Back row 





GARY GRAHAM 

Back row 

29/08/1992 



Honours: Scotland 

CONOR KENNY 

Prop 

25/07/1996 




FREDDIE LOCKWOOD 

Back row 

31/12/2000 




JOSH PETERS 

Lock 

10/12/1995 



Honours: Spain 

GREG PETERSON 

Lock 

26/03/1991 



Honours: USA 

VEREIMI QOROWALE 

Wing/centre 

27/01/1995 


Weight: 105kg (16st 7) 

ADAM RADWAN 

Wing 

30/12/1997 




24 25 

The 

Blackbirds

MOTOR GROUP 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

SEAN ROBINSON 

Lock 

08/02/1991 




TIAN SCHOEMAN 

Fly-half 

23/09/1991 

Height: 1.82m (5ft 10) 


IWAN STEPHENS 

Wing 

24/03/2002 




BEN STEVENSON 

Wing/centre 

19/07/1998 




SCOTT MACLEOD 

Coach 

Geoff & Marie 

Penrice 

JOHN STOKOE 

Team manager 

KEVIN MCSHANE 

Head of athletic performance 

LEWIS WILLIAMS 

Strength and conditioning coach 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

SAM STUART 

Scrum-half 

27/09/1991 




ALEX TAIT 

Full-back 

18/03/1988 




Jack & Jonquil 

Stewart 

MARK TAMPIN 

Prop 

20/01/1992 



JOSH THOMAS 

Fly-half 

30/06/2000 



Honours: Wales U20 

TIM PAYNE 

Strength and conditioning coach 

STEVE BREMNER 

Opposition and recruitment 

analyst 

MATT HODKINSON 

Tactical analyst 

RHYS GRIFFITHS 

Head physio 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

PHILIP VAN DER WALT 

Back-row 

14/07/1989 



GEORGE WACOKECOKE 

Centre 

23/10/1995 




WILL WELCH 

Back row 

03/04/1990 




MICHAEL YOUNG 

Scrum-half 

31/12/1988 




ANDY SHEA 

Physio 

DERMOT AUSTIN 

Physio 

TOBY TREMLETT 

Physio 

RACHEL SCURFIELD 

Lead doctor 

FIRST TEAM STAFF 

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

DAVE WALDER 

Head coach 

MARK LAYCOCK 

Coach 

MICKY WARD 

Coach 

MARK WILSON 

Coach 

DEAN SHIPSEY 

Match-day doctor 

ANDY RAMSHAW 

Match-day doctor 

ANDREW CRUICKSHANK 

Psychologist 

ALAN BASKERVILLE 

Kit manager 

26 27

SENIOR ACADEMY SQUAD & ACADEMY STAFF 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 1. 1. 

JAMES BLACKETT 

Scrum-half 

22/10/2001 




1. 

PHIL BRANTINGHAM 

Prop 

02/10/2001 




JEREMY CIVIL 

Centre 




LUKE COULSTON 

Lock 

17/07/2004 

Height: 2m (6ft 6) 



MARCUS TIFFEN 

Back row 

03/09/2002 



SAM CLARK 

Prop 

31/1/2004 

Height: 1.84m (6 ft) 


OLIVER SPENCER 

Full-back 

22/2/2004 




1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

MATT DEEHAN 

Back row 

04/10/2002 



Honours: Scotland U20 

MARK DORMER 

Prop 

16/09/2002 




BEN DOUGLAS 

Scrum-half 

16/01/2004 


Weight: 75kg (11st 11) 


Joan 

Milne 

OLLIE FLETCHER 

Hooker 

09/09/2002 




1. 1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

JAMES PONTON 

Head of academy 

PJ BUTLER 

Academy coach 

JACK HAYES 

Academy coach 

KEITH ROBINSON 

Academy DPP manager 

EWAN GREENLAW 

Centre 

14/03/2003 




NATHAN GREENWOOD 

Wing 




Honours: England 7s 

LOUIE JOHNSON 

Fly-half 

13/06/2003 




ZACH KERR 

Centre/wing 

13/12/1999 



MICHAEL FERGUSON 

Head academy strength and 

conditioning coach 

SHAUN MCLAREN 

Junior academy strength and 

conditioning coach 

NICK TODD 

Academy performance analyst 

FRAZER BELL 

Senior academy physio 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 1. 

TO SPONSOR A PLAYER EMAIL 

CORPORATESALES@NEWCASTLE-FALCONS.CO.UK 

CHIDERA OBONNA 

Centre/wing 

18/10/2000 




GUY PEPPER 

Back row 

15/04/2003 


Weight: 105kg (16st 7) 


MIKE REWCASTLE 

Prop 



Weight: 113kg (17st 11) 


CHARLIE SMITH 

Hooker 

19/01/2004 




CAIN WILKINSON 

Junior academy physio 

28 29

FROM THE PRESS BOX 

By Mark Smith 

Newcastle Falcons media manager 

Rugby needs to start thinking differently to attract and retain new 

supporters, but my recent suggestion regarding shirt numbers took a right 

old battering when I aired it on twitter. 

The catalyst was the fact international rugby is finally catching up to the 

club game by having names on the back of the players’ shirts during the 

autumn internationals – hardly revolutionary, but welcome nonetheless. 

My idea was that Premiership clubs move to squad numbers rather than the 

traditional 1 to 15, so each player at the start of each season gets their own 

squad number, unique to them, with their name and number on display for 

each game 

Currently the clubs have players numbered 1 to 15 with names, which to 

seasoned rugby watchers seems to be the ideal scenario. 

On a practical level this means clubs have to name and number hundreds of 

additional shirts each season to fit every conceivable selection possibility, 

incurring a financial hit at a time when the sport hardly needs it. For a 

Ben Stevenson or a Sean Robinson this can mean playing in three or four 

different numbers, home and away, so you’re up to six or eight shirts for one 

player before you even start accounting for spares. 

The finance is a side issue for me, because the real benefit comes from 

the marketing and branding opportunities offered up by each player having 

their own unique number. 

If I see a Newcastle Falcons No.15 shirt am I thinking of Elliott Obatoyinbo, 

Tom Penny, Alex Tait, Iwan Stephens, Louie Johnson, Josh Thomas or Nathan 

Earle? 

It’s currently a lottery, and there’s no immediate association between the 

shirt number and the player wearing it. 

“Ah, actually last week’s 15 is wearing 10 today, and last week’s 10 is wearing 

12 today, and last week’s 12 is in 13, and 11 and 14 have swapped shirts too.” 

At a time when we need to be attracting new supporters it just feels like an 

unnecessary barrier. 

The main argument on twitter was that people want to know what position 

someone is playing in, but in this ultra-professional era the issue of set roles 

is somewhat of a misnomer, other than at the set-piece. Even then, you’ll 

get No.8s packing down at blindside flanker and fly-halves defending on 

the wing at a scrum, while the line-out often sees wingers at the front and 

flankers at half-back. 

In general play you get props jackalling, wingers in at scrum-half, fly-halves 

standing at full-back and hookers putting in a cheeky grubber, and are we 

really asking rugby newbies to learn all 15 positional roles by heart before 

they can feel part of it? 

It’s time to let go of this out-dated notion that the number on your back 

dictates the limitations of your role, and if existing rugby supporters are the 

only people upset by the change, then that’s fine. 

It’s the new guys that we need to draw in, and if that means simplifying 

things by allowing Ben Stevenson to wear a No.45 shirt for the entire 

season, then so be it. 

Let’s have a ‘Stevo45’ range in the club shop, change his Instagram handle 

to @stevo45 and get it on his boots. 

On its own I’m not pretending it’s the answer to rugby’s problems, but at a 

point when we need new eyeballs on the sport we need to be more open in 

our thinking. 

“Oh I really liked that Falcons No.15 last week.” 

31

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1193013. FP900-2022b Exp 15.06.2023 | ARTUK-4318

ALL OUR YESTERDAYS 

As Kingston Park Stadium celebrates a 

Premiership milestone today, Kingsley 

Hyland charts some key moments at the 

Falcons’ nest. 

250 AND COUNTING! 

As has been widely reported, Bath’s visit to Kingston Park will be the 250th Premiership 

match to be played at the ground, the Falcons’ permanent home since 1990. 

With just one top-half finish since 2002 Falcons supporters of a recent ilk may be surprised 

to discover that the team’s win/loss ratio over the 23-and-a-bit seasons spent 

in the top flight since 1997 remains in the black despite two relegations and an almost 

constant struggle in the lower echelons of the table. 

FIRST MATCH – OCTOBER 8, 1997 

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 37-12 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 

Things looked very different back at the start 

of the 1997-98 season. The Premiership, as 

National Division One had been renamed, 

was sponsored by Allied Dunbar, and 

the Falcons were newcomers having 

secured promotion by finishing 

runners-up in Division Two to 

Richmond. 

Two years 

earlier, with 

the 

substantial investment from Sir John Hall, the Falcons had 

stolen a march on their rivals by assembling a playing squad 

littered with internationals from home and abroad. Promotion 

had not been plain sailing, as defeats at Bedford and Coventry 

left them placed second in Richmond’s wake. 

By the start of the 1997-98 campaign several other clubs had 

caught up in terms of investment in their playing squads, and 

so the Falcons entered the season as outsiders. 

The first fixture was at Bath who had dominated English club 

rugby in the decade before the game went open, and so the 

game was seen as a true test of the team’s potential. A late 

Stuart Legg try and Tim Stimpson’s conversion secured a 20-17 

victory and set the Falcons up nicely for their first ever home 

fixture in the Premiership against Northampton Saints, another 

side littered with internationals and British and Irish Lions. 

The match was scheduled for the August 31 but was 

postponed hours before kick-off due to the death 

of the Princess of Wales, and so we had to 

wait until Wednesday October 8 for the first 

home fixture. Even then there was a hitch 

as kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes, 

as referee Tony Spreadbury’s flight 

was delayed. 

Any concerns that the victory 

at Bath would prove 

a false dawn were quickly 

extinguished as the Falcons 

dominated in outscoring the 

visitors by five tries to nil in 

front of 3,390 spectators, 

who included England coach 

Clive Woodward. 

The Falcons got off to a flying start with Tim Stimpson kicking 

two penalties either side of a similar effort from Ali Hepher before 

Gary Armstrong seized a loose ball from an up-and-under 

to score in the corner, giving the Falcons a 13-3 lead with just 

ten minutes played. The remainder of the first half was nip and 

tuck as Hepher – a former Newcastle Gosforth player and now 

head coach at Exeter – added two further penalties, and Gregor 

Townsend a drop goal to narrow the gap to a point at 13-12. 

The programme from the first ever Premiership 

38 match played at Kingston Park 

Inga Tuigamala 

39

With less than three minutes to go to half-time Jim Naylor 

scored the Falcons’ second try after Pat Lam had stolen Northampton 

lineout ball to take the score to 18-12 at the break. Naylor 

had been dropped by Woodward from the England squad 

and may have felt that he had something to prove as he scored 

his second try on 52 minutes, Stimpson’s conversion taking the 

score to 25-12. 

The Saints enjoyed a brief period of ascendancy before a Lam 

try effectively killed the game off. There was still time for Nick 

Popplewell to score a fifth try for the Falcons, with Stimpson 

adding the conversion. 

The Falcons team that night was: T.Stimpson; J.Naylor; V.Tuigamala; 

A.Tait; J.Bentley; R.Andrew, G.Armstrong; N.Popplewell; 

R.Nesdale; P.Van Zandvliet; G.Archer; D.Weir; P.Lam; R.Arnold; 

D.Ryan (Capt). 

The victories over Bath and Northampton represented the 

start of a stellar run which saw the Falcons go unbeaten in the 

league until mid-March 1998 en-route to the Premiership 

title. Kingston Park proved something of a fortress, with 

all nine matches played there (along with two played at 

Gateshead Stadium) resulting in home wins. 

100TH MATCH – NOVEMBER 10, 2006 

NEWCASTLE 3-14 NEC HARLEQUINS 

If the first home Premiership match at Kingston 

Park lived long in the memory, the same could 

hardly be said of the 100th. 

The Premiership was now sponsored by Guinness 

and Rob Andrew had been replaced as director of 

rugby by John Fletcher. Going into the game the 

Falcons sat in tenth place courtesy of home 

wins over Worcester and Bristol, and losing 

bonus points at Northampton and at home 

to London Irish. Quins sat one place below 

them with just one win to their name. 

A major effort by the club’s marketing 

team ensured a capacity crowd of 

10,004 on a miserably wet Friday night, 

but there was little to entertain or 

encourage them to return. To make 

matters worse the match was 

beamed live by Sky. Injuries to 

both Jonny Willkinson and 

Toby Flood meant that 

Gavin Beasley was given a 

debut at fly-half. 

The quality of the match 

probably reflected 

the two sides’ lowly 

positions as the 

Falcons spilled ball, 

kicked badly and 

stood off tackles. 

The Falcons’ sole points came from a Matt Burke penalty 

which gave the home side a 3-0 lead on 30 minutes, but weak 

tackling allowed Quins in for tries before half-time through 

David Strettle and Nick Easter, both converted by Adrian Jarvis. 

The second half lacked both entertainment and points as the 

Falcons slipped into the bottom two. 

Things were to improve slightly for both clubs in the second 

half of the season with Quins rising to finish seventh, while the 

Falcons moved up to ninth. It was the Falcons’ form at Kingston 

Park which saved them from a relegation battle as they won 

eight of eleven home fixtures, but managed just one victory 

on their travels – at Sale (26-18) in November. Not surprisingly, 

none of the Falcons who had played in that first Premiership 

match at Kingston Park were still at the club. 

The team that day was: M.Burke (Capt); T.May; M.Tait; 

M.Mayerhofler (rep J.Shaw 67); J.Rudd; T.Flood; J.Grindal 

(rep. L.Dickson 44); J.Golding (rep R.Morris 47); A.Long 

(rep M.Thompson 63); D.Wilson; A.Perry; J.Oakes (rep 

M.McCarthy 41); G.Parling; B.Woods; B.Wilson. (rep C.Harris 

53). 

200TH MATCH – DECEMBER 4, 2016 

NEWCASTLE 38-32 HARLEQUINS 

Harlequins were once again the visitors for the 200th 

Premiership match at Kingston Park, and this time a crowd 

of 6,054 were treated to one of the best games seen on 

the ground. 

Dean Richards was now director of rugby and the 

Premiership was now sponsored by Aviva. 2016-17 was 

to prove something of a breakthrough campaign for 

the Falcons after three successive seasons of finishing 

11th. 

Going into this game they had won four from nine including 

impressive wins on the road at Gloucester and Northampton. 

They would eventually finish eighth, two places but just three 

points behind Quins in sixth. 

Gavin Beasley gets to grips with Harlequins 

Quins came into the game in decent form with just one defeat 

in their previous four, and they opened the scoring with a 

seventh-minute penalty from future Falcon Tim Swiel. The 

Falcons responded with a 12th-minute try from Michael Young 

which Joel Hodgson converted, but Quins regained their lead 

when Rob Buchanan went over for an unconverted try after 

18 minutes. 

The programme from the 100th Premiership 

game played at Kingston Park 

40 41

The Falcons dominated the remainder of the opening half with 

tries from man of the match Juan Pablo Socino and Mark Wilson, 

both converted by Hodgson, to give the home team a 21-8 

lead at half time. That became 26-8 within three minutes of 

the restart as Socino went over for his second try to secure a 

bonus point. 

This sparked something of a Quins fightback as scrum-half 

Karl Dickson crossed for tries in the 52nd and 60th minutes, 

both converted by Ruaridh Jackson to narrow the gap to just 

four points (26-22). 

The Falcons gained some breathing space when Evan 

Olmstead’s 65th-minute try was confirmed by the TMO (31-22) 

but Quins were clearly not going away as a Jackson penalty 

brought them back within losing bonus point range on 74 

minutes (31-25). 

The Falcons were not to be denied, however, and within two 

minutes replacement Marcus Watson had crossed for a try 

converted by Mike Delany for a seemingly invincible lead (38- 

25). 

Quins had the final say with the clock deep in the red as 

Tim Visser – 10 years on from his Falcons’ debut as the first 

Dutchman in the Premiership – scored in the corner, Jackson’s 

conversion ensuring that the visitors left with two bonus 

points. 

The Falcons team that day was: M.Delany; V.Goneva; F.Burdon 

(rep D.Waldouck 78); JP Socino; A.Tait; J.Hodgson (rep 

M.Watson); M.Young (rep S.Takulua 60); R.Vickers (rep A.Rogers 

76); S.Lawson (rep B.Sowrey 76); D.Wilson (rep J.Welsh 60); 

E.Olmstead; W.Witty; C.Chick; (rep O.Fonua 71) M.Wilson (Capt); 

A.Hogg. 

Of that side only Alex Tait, Michael Young and Callum Chick 

remain on the club’s playing roster although George Merrick 

did feature as a second half replacement for Quins. 

249 GAMES IN NUMBERS 

The current season is the 24th that the Falcons have played 

in the Premiership, which now has its fourth main sponsor – 

Gallagher. 

The programme from the 200th Premiership 

game played at Kingston Park 

Whilst 249 Premiership matches have now been played at 

Kingston Park there have in fact been 257 home fixtures 

scheduled since the start of the 1997-98 season. The last two 

home games that season and the first three of the 1998-99 

season were played at Gateshead Stadium whilst the home 

fixture with Saracens in 2017-18 season was relocated to 

Philadelphia. 

The longest winning run at Kingston Park lasted just over 19 

months and included 17 matches. All nine matches at Kingston 

The Falcons celebrate during a bonus-point win 

over Harlequins in 2016 

42 43

Park in the 1997-98 Premiership-winning season resulted in 

home wins, as did the first eight of the ten matches played at 

Kingston Park the following season (although the Falcons had 

lost at home to London Irish in September 1998 at Gateshead 

Stadium). 

Leicester became the first team to win a Premiership match 

at Kingston Park on May 2, 1999. The Falcons did not lose two 

successive matches at Kingston Park until they lost to Leicester 

(again) and Gloucester in the 2000-2001 season. After that 

opening run of 17 successive victories at Kingston Park 

the longest run of successive home victories is six, in 2006-7 

season. 

By contrast, the longest run of successive home defeats at 

Kingston Park is ten. It began with defeat to Harlequins on 

December 1, 2013 and ended when Exeter were beaten on October 

5, 2014. 

The following table shows that early invincibility at Kingston 

Park has tailed off in successive seasons: 

Season Played Won Drawn Lost Pts For Pts Ag Position 

1997-98 9 9 0 0 297 153 1 

1998-99 10 9 0 1 355 191 8 

1999-00 11 5 1 5 220 234 9 

2000-01 11 8 0 3 351 253 6 

2001-02 11 8 1 2 280 182 6 

2002-03 11 7 0 4 253 228 10 

2003-04 11 5 1 5 279 222 9 

2004-05 11 6 2 3 243 247 7 

2005-06 11 6 0 5 241 213 7 

2006-07 11 8 0 3 245 198 9 

2007-08 11 6 0 5 194 220 11 

2008-09 11 6 1 4 174 159 10 

2009-10 11 2 3 6 163 200 9 

2010-11 11 3 1 7 199 235 11 

2011-12 11 4 2 5 169 195 12(R) 




2016-17 11 7 0 4 257 259 8 

2017-18 9 6 0 3 209 195 4 

2018-19 10 2 0 8 178 228 12(R) 

2020-21 10 6 0 4 219 203 10 

2021-22 11 2 1 8 184 295 12 

2022-23 3 1 0 2 75 89 

Total 249 126 14 109 5374 5141 

The biggest winning margin at Kingston Park came in the 2003- 

04 season when Rotherham were beaten 56-10, whilst the Falcons’ 

highest points total in a home Premiership match came 

in the 59-21 defeat of Wasps in 2000-01. 

The most points conceded in a Premiership game at Kingston 

Park came in the 12-46 defeat to London Irish in 2010-11, whilst 

the biggest margin of defeat was inflicted by Exeter – 3-41 in 

2015-16. 

The most points scored in a home season is 355 in 1998-99, 

and most conceded is 295 in 2021-22. 

In terms of providing entertainment the most forgettable 

Kingston Park season was 2013-14 when the Falcons, back in 

the Premiership after a season in the Championship, managed 

just 135 points in 11 home matches, including just 11 tries. By 

contrast the team matched that total in the first three home 

Opponent P W D L Win/Lose % 

Gloucester 23 13 1 9 59 (57) 

Harlequins 23 12 3 8 60 (52) 

Wasps 22 9 1 12 43 (41) 

Saracens 22 10 1 11 48 (45) 

Northampton 21 11 0 10 52 

Leicester 21 8 2 11 42 (38) 

Bath 21 7 0 14 33 

Sale 21 15 2 4 79 (71) 

London Irish 19 9 1 9 50 (47) 

Bristol 14 8 0 6 57 

Worcester 14 8 3 3 73 (57) 

Exeter 10 2 0 8 20 

Leeds 8 5 0 3 63 

Bedford 2 2 0 0 100 

Rotherham 2 2 0 0 100 

Richmond 2 2 0 0 100 

London Scottish 1 1 0 0 100 

London Welsh 1 1 0 0 100 

West Hartlepool 

1 1 0 0 100 

games this season. Just one match was won, and the team 

failed to register 20 points in a single home match. 

The following table shows how the Falcons have fared against 

different opponents: 

The win/lose per centage does not take into account drawn 

matches, but where figures are shown in brackets they have 

been adjusted to take account of draws. 

In matches at Kingston Park which produced a positive result 

the Falcons have an overall win percentage of just under 54%. 

Taking account of drawn matches they have won just under 

51% of the 249 matches played on the ground. 

Gloucester are the only club to have visited Kingston Park in 

each of the 23 seasons in which the Falcons have featured in 

the Premiership. 

Of the teams that have played more than twice at Kingston 

Park in the Premiership Sale would appear to be the favourite 

opponents. They did not win at Kingston Park until their 12th 

attempt in 2008-09, and have only won four times in 21 visits, 

with two matches drawn. The Falcons have also fared consistently 

well in matches against Worcester and Leeds. 

The sides against whom the Falcons have fared worst are 

Exeter and, surprisingly, Bath. The Falcons beat Bath at Kingston 

Park in 2003-04 but didn’t beat them again until 2015-16. 

Leicester have also proved something of a bogey team, but at 

least the Falcons can claim that their 100th Premiership win 

at Kingston Park was against the Tigers – 26-14 in the 2015-16 

season. 

The Falcons have now lost at home to Saracens on ten successive 

occasions although Sarries did not win at Kingston Park 

until their seventh attempt in 2003-04 

44 45

FIXTURES & RESULTS 

AUGUST 

F: Fri Aug 26 v Leicester Tigers(L 42-28) 

SEPTEMBER 

F: Fri Sep 2 v Doncaster Knights (W 29-33) 

GP: SAT SEP 10 V HARLEQUINS (L 31-40) 

GP: Sat Sep 17 v Leicester Tigers (L 36-21) 

PRC: Tue Sep 20 v Wasps (L 35-21) 

GP: Sat Sep 24 v Worcester Warriors (L 39-5) 

PRC: TUE SEP 27 V SALE SHARKS (L 21-29) 

GP: FRI SEP 30 V BRISTOL BEARS (W 30-15) 

OCTOBER 

GP: SUN OCT 9 V SARACENS (L 14-34) 

GP: Sat Oct 15 v Northampton Saints (L 32-31) 

PRC: Wed Oct 19 v Leicester Tigers (W 31-32) 

NOVEMBER 

GP: SAT NOV 5 V BATH RUGBY (3pm) 

GP: Sat Nov 12 v Gloucester Rugby (3pm) 

PRC: SAT NOV 19 V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (3.30 pm) 

GP: FRI NOV 25 V EXETER CHIEFS (7.45PM) 

DECEMBER 

GP: Sat Dec 3 v London Irish (3pm) 

ECC: Sat Dec 10 v Connacht (5.30pm) 

ECC: SAT DEC 17 v CARDIFF (5.30pm) 

GP: FRI DEC 23 V SALE SHARKS (7.45pm) 

GP: Sat Dec 31 v Bath Rugby (3pm) 

NEXT TIME AT KP 

V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 

SAT November 19th 

Premiership RUGBY CUP 

Kick-off: 3:30 pm 

JANUARY 

GP: Jan 6/7/8 v Saracens 

ECC: Sun Jan 15 v Cardiff (1pm) 

ECC: SAT JAN 21 v CONNACHT (5.30pm) 

GP: JAN 27/28/29 V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 

FEBRUARY 

GP: Feb 3/4/5 v Bristol Bears 

GP: FEB 10/11/12 V LEICESTER TIGERS 

GP: Feb 17/18/19 v Harlequins 

PRC: Feb 24/25/26: Semi-finals 

MARCH 

GP: MAR 3/4/5 V GLOUCESTER RUGBY 

GP: MAR 17/18/19 V LONDON IRISH 

GP: Mar 24/25/26 v Exeter Chiefs 

APRIL 

ECC: Mar 31/Apr 1/2: Round of 16 

ECC: Apr 7/8/9: Quarter-final 

ECC: Apr 28/29/30: Semi-final 

MAY 

PRC: May 2/3: Final 

GP: SAT MAY 6 v Sale Sharks 

GP: SAT MAY 13: Semi-final 

ECC: Fri May 19: Final 

GP: Sat May 27: Final 

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from England’s leading clubs. There are camps across 

the country for children aged 6-17. 

For more info visit WWW.RUGBYCAMPS.COM 

FOR 6-17 

YEAR OLDS 

46 

KEY: GP = Gallagher Premiership, ECC = EPCR Challenge Cup, PRC = Premiership Rugby Cup, F = Friendly. 

(Home games in capital letters)

More than just a racecourse 

Home of horse racing in Northumberland and Britain’s Most Scenic Racecourse, host 

to 15 days national hunt racing in 2022. Border and Haydon Point-to-Point 

Range of sponsorship and hospitality packages available for every meeting. 

Set in beautiful Northumbrian countryside the racecourse provides the ideal location 

for weddings, conferences and exhibitions. 

For all enquiries, ticket bookings and purchases contact the 

racecourse office 01434 606881, email 

admin@hexham-racecourse.co.uk or visit our website 

www.hexham-racecourse.co.uk 

Follow the racecourse on Facebook, 

Twitter @HexhamRaces, Instagram.

IN OPPOSITION - BATH RUGBY 

Back-rower 

Ted Hill 

Having finished at the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership table 

last season, Bath Rugby began the current campaign with eight 

defeats in all competitions before finally breaking their duck at 

home to Northampton Saints a fortnight ago. 

Last season’s struggles saw somewhat of a rebuild during 

the summer as previous boss Stuart Hooper moved aside 

into a general manager role, with Munster’s Johann van 

Graan coming in as head of rugby. 

England internationals Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence are among the 

headliners as they looked to address their early-season form, with 

fly-halves Billy Searle and Jamie Shillcock joining club-mates Valery 

Morozov and Fergus Lee-Warner. 

This influx of signings has been necessitated partly by injuries 

and a run of results which saw them beating Coventry (7-38) 

and Jersey Reds (17-38) before losing their Gallagher Premiership 

opener 31-29 at an Ellis-Genge-inspired Bristol Bears. 

52 

Hooker Niall 

Annett 

Fly-half Orlando 

Bailey 

JP Ferreira made the same journey from Limerick as 

he joined up as defence coach, with former Bath great 

Joe Maddock another addition as he looked to impart his 

expertise as attack coach. Forwards coach Neal Hatley and 

line-out coach Luke 

Charteris remained 

in position from the 

previous season’s 

staff, with a fairly 

busy summer 

on the player 

recruitment front, 

too. 

Newcastle Falcons scrum-half Louis Schreuder was 

among their off-season acquisitions, with full-back Matt 

Gallagher joining the influx from Munster. 

Hooker Niall Annett arrived from Worcester and earned the 

dubious honour of being sent off before even playing for his 

new club, having got himself involved in a touch-line altercation 

during Bath’s opening-day defeat at derby rivals, Bristol Bears. 

Back-rower Chris Cloete arrived from Munster to offer his 

physicality and fetching ability, with vastly-experienced lock 

Dave Attwood making the short trip from Bristol. 

Former England international Piers Francis joined from 

Northampton Saints only to suffer an early-season injury, 

with further Premiership knowhow coming in the form of ex- 

Northampton and Worcester back-rower GJ van Velze. 

Irish international Quinn Roux has added his considerable bulk 

to the Bath second row having signed from Toulon, while the 

off-field issues at Worcester saw Bath scooping up a host of 

free agents from Sixways 

Sale Sharks were 37-20 winners at The Rec, with Bath beaten 39-31 

at home by Wasps in round three. 

The Premiership Rugby Cup provided little respite as they fell 29-15 

at home to Gloucester, with the return to league action seeing tries 

aplenty in a 47-38 away loss at London Irish. 

Gloucester were 21-17 victors at The Rec just under a month ago as 

the run of losses continued, although there were green shoots of 

recovery to be seen in their 37-31 away loss to Saracens. 

Bristol claimed a 29-0 

Premiership Rugby Cup victory 

at The Rec, but the building 

work finally paid off two 

weeks ago when tries from 

Miles Reid, Tom Dunn and 

Cameron Redpath helped 

them to a 27-14 home 

victory against 

Northampton Saints. 

Like Newcastle, the 

West Country side 

come into today’s 

game on the back 

of a bye week, with 

their cancelled fixture 

against Worcester 

allowing them to arrive 

in the North East fully 

rested. 

Scrum-half Louis 

Schreuder 

53

IN OPPOSITION - THREE TO WATCH 

TOM DUNN 

MILES REID 

The 24-year-old is rapidly closing in on his 50th Gallagher 

Premiership appearance, scoring a try for the Blue, Black and 

Whites in their first win of the season against Northampton 

Saints a fortnight ago. 

A product of Bath’s academy, Reid came through Beechen 

Cliff School and made his debut for Bath back in 2018 in the 

Premiership Rugby Cup. 

Stepping up to become a regular in the senior side, Reid captained 

Bath on their last visit to Kingston Park back in February and 

remains a danger all around the field. 

The experienced hooker turns 30 next weekend, and boasts 137 Gallagher 

Premiership appearances to his name after making his league debut 

during the 2012-13 season. 

Touching down five tries in his seven Premiership games this season, 

Dunn remains an attacking threat at the base of the Bath maul as well as 

the close-range pick and go. 

Now minus his trademark semi-mullet haircut after shaving it for a Motor 

Neurone Disease charity, the Bath University graduate made his England 

debut during the 2020 Six Nations. 

JOHANN VAN GRAAN 

HEAD OF RUGBY 

South African Johann van Graan joined Bath in the summer from Irish 

province Munster. 

OLLIE LAWRENCE 

The 23-year-old centre is enjoying a fresh lease of life in Bath colours 

after a tumultuous season at Worcester Warriors. 

Joining the men from The Rec initially as short-term injury cover, his 

dynamic ball carrying and broken-field running have helped spark an 

upturn in form for Bath which culminated in their first win of the season 

a fortnight ago at home to Northampton. 

Beginning his coaching journey with the Blue Bulls in his homeland under 

the famed Heyneke Meyer, Van Graan was part of the Bulls staff during 

three Super Rugby title wins. 

Stepping up to become forwards coach with the South African national 

team during Rugby World Cup 2015, he set sail for Ireland in 2017 and 

spent five seasons as head coach of Munster. 

A former Worcester academy player who became a mainstay of the 

Warriors’ midfield prior to their recent struggles, Lawrence earned his 

first full England cap during the 2020 Six Nations having represented his 

country at age-group level. 

55

CLUB NEWS 

The home of 

domestic rugby 

SINFIELD SET FOR KINGSTON 

PARK STOP-OFF 

Kevin Sinfield is visiting Kingston Park Stadium on Tuesday 

November 15 as part of his epic Ultra 7 in 7 challenge, raising funds 

for Motor Neurone Disease charities. 

The rugby league legend, who now coaches at Gallagher Premiership 

club Leicester Tigers, will cover nearly 40 miles per day for seven 

days before finishing on the pitch at Old Trafford at half-time in the 

men’s Rugby League World Cup final. 

His epic challenges in 2020 and 2021 have already raised over £5 

million, but now he is set to go even further in 2022 on a weeklong 

challenge that will celebrate the awareness raised by three 

inspirational sporting characters who have done so much to raise 

the profile of those impacted by the disease. 

Starting on Sunday November 13, Sinfield will run from Murrayfield 

Stadium in Edinburgh to Old Trafford in Manchester in his Ultra 7 in 

7 Challenge. Inspired by Rob Burrow, Doddie Weir, Stephen Darby 

and other people living with MND, Sinfield will have an initial aim of 

raising £777,777 from the challenge. 

His route is due to see him reaching Kingston Park Stadium at 

around 12.15pm on Tuesday November 15, with supporters and 

well-wishers invited to cheer him on by meeting around the South- 

West corner of the ground as he makes a brief stop at the home of 

Newcastle Falcons. 

Supporters can text Kevin to 70143 to donate £7, or contribute via 

the online donation portal. 

RED ROSES COMING TO 

KINGSTON PARK 

England Women’s captain Sarah Hunter 

Kevin Sinfield (left) with former Leeds 

Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow 

England’s Women’s team, the Red Roses, are playing at Kingston 

Park Stadium on Saturday March 25 when they host Scotland in the 

TikTok Women’s Six Nations. 

The game kicks off at 4.45pm, with tickets on sale now priced from 

£15 for adults and £5 for children. 

England are the reigning Six Nations champions and Grand Slam 

holders, and are currently in New Zealand where they face a Rugby 

World Cup semi-final against Canada this morning. 

As well as hosting Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Thunder 

games, Kingston Park Stadium has recently hosted three matches 

in the Rugby League World Cup as well as a number of Newcastle 

United Women’s games. 

57

NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION 

TOUCH… AND GO! 

Blackadders Touch Rugby is the long established touch team based at 

Whitley Bay Rockcliff RFC, playing every Thursday night at 6pm. 

As well as the Thursday sessions, Blackadders runs its own events and 

enters competitions in the North East, Scotland and beyond. Activity has 

picked again post-Covid restrictions, and the last few months has been 

busy! 

To help celebrate their 15th anniversary they hosted an eight-team charity 

competition last July, with all profits raised going to the Maggie’s Centre 

at the Freeman Hospital. Eight teams took part, with Blackadders winning 

the Cup and Tynedale Temptations winning the Plate. Through this event 

and other team fundraising activities a fantastic £7,934 was raised for 

Maggie’s. 

Early in September members of Blackadders Touch Rugby made the trip to 

Edinburgh for the Scottish Touch Super League. They were drawn in Pool A 

with the Goblins (Scotland’s mixed open team), Centurions (recent winners 

of the last tournament Blackadders took part in), Galaxy Scotland (global 

team) and Meerkats (former top-ranked team in Scotland). 

Starting the day slowly against some very experienced, well-drilled teams, 

Blackadders progressed to the final place play-off against old rivals Stirling 

Storm, winning their final game of the day. 

When a local Guides leader recently contacted Rockcliff to request a touch 

taster session for their group, Blackadders Touch Rugby Coaches were 

happy to arrange a free session and share why it is such a great sport. 

Twenty-seven girls aged 10 to 14 attended the Friday night session along 

with their three leaders. From start to finish there was a buzz in the air and 

the girls were having great fun. They didn’t even complain about burpees 

in the warm-up! 

Cat Palgrave and Lesley Marshall coached the basic skills required for touch 

rugby, and with the girls picking up the skills quickly they were split into 

four teams. Everyone left the session wearing big smiles and loving their 

free water bottles. Thanks to the Guides for reaching out and wanting to 

try something new! 

If this has inspired you to try something new, why not come down to 

Blackadders social touch rugby on Thursday nights from 6pm-7pm at 

Whitley Bay Rockcliff RFC or visit www.blackadderstouch.com. 

TEAM OF THE MONTH IS BACK 

Northumberland RFU is delighted that Newcastle Falcons have once again 

very generously agreed to sponsor the Team of the Month Award, and as 

such we are asking for nominations for September and October. 

Whether it’s your Under-15s team that has joined forces with another club to 

ensure rugby gets played, you have just set up a Girls’ section or your first 

team has gone on an unbeaten run. Whatever it is, we want to hear from 

you if you believe that your team has done something out of the ordinary. 

The monthly prize is 20 tickets for a Falcons game of your choice, and the 

winning team will be announced on all Northumberland’s social media sites 

as well as featuring in the Falcons matchday digital programme. 

So, if you are proud of what your team has achieved in September or 

October and fancy an afternoon at a top-class game with your mates, be 

quick to get your entries in to deangray@northumberlandrfu.co.uk as the 

competition closes soon! 

58

Support the Royal British Legion 

Poppy Appeal today 

POWERING SMALL BUSINESSES 

AND THE RUGBY COMMUNITY 

We’ve partnered with Premiership Rugby to celebrate the small business 

and rugby communities, and show how living your values brings success 

on and off the pitch. 

Funding Circle is the UK’s #1 platform for business finance. To see how you 

could get a lending hand, visit fundingcircle.com 

Wearing your poppy shows the Armed Forces community 

that their service and sacrifice means something to you and 

will never be forgotten. 

Show your support today. 

rbl.org.uk/donate 

Registered charity number: 219279 

“Excellent” 

Based on 12,745 reviews

LAST NIGHT 

NEWCASTLE FALCONS V BATH 

BRISTOL BEARS V SARACENS 

PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWS 

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS V EXETER CHIEFS 

TODAY 

SALE SHARKS V GLOUCESTER 

Sale Sharks have slipped to back-to-back defeats in Gallagher Premiership 

Rugby, at home to Harlequins and away at Saracens, and have not lost three 

in succession in the competition since 2018. 

The Sharks have suffered only two defeats at Salford City Stadium in 

Premiership Rugby in 2022, the other loss being to Saracens in April. 

Gloucester Rugby have won their last four Gallagher Premiership Rugby 

matches since their 39-41 loss at Saracens in Round 3. The Cherry and 

Whites have not won five in succession in the competition since 2017. 

Sale have won four of their last five encounters with Gloucester, the defeat 

being by a solitary point at Kingsholm last October. 

Gloucester have won just once at Salford City Stadium since 2016: 18-16 in 

October 2019. 

. 

Newcastle Falcons centre Pete Lucock 

Kingston Park becomes only the sixth venue to host 250 

Premiership Rugby matches. 

Bath Rugby’s 27-14 victory at home to Northampton last 

time out ended an unwanted run of seven successive 

Premiership defeats. 

Bath have won only twice away from home in Premiership 

Rugby since February 2021, and both of those victories 

were at Kingston Park. 

The four meetings by the two clubs over the past two 

seasons have all been won by the visiting side on the 

day. 

Saracens back-rower Ben Earl 

Bristol Bears have slipped to four straight defeats in 

Gallagher Premiership Rugby since beating London Irish 

40-36 at Ashton Gate on September 24. 

The Bears’ 14-50 loss at home to Exeter in Round 5 ended 

a four-game winning run at Ashton Gate in Premiership 

Rugby. 

Saracens have dropped only one possible league point in 

Gallagher Premiership Rugby this season, and that was 

in scoring only one try in their narrow victory at Exeter 

in Round 7. 

Saracens have lost only once away from home in 

Premiership Rugby since February: 7-54 at Gloucester in 

Round 26 last season. 

Saracens have lost just two of their last eleven clashes 

with Bristol in Premiership Rugby, both at Ashton Gate in 

April 2019 and August 2020. 

Saracens’ record at Ashton Gate is won two, lost two. 

62 Sale Sharks full-back Joe Carpenter 

63

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NewcastleFalcons vs Bath Rugby - Programme - 05/11/2022

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