Newcastle Falcons VS Northampton - Programme

NEWCASTLE FALCONS V NORTHAMPTON - FRI APR 21ST, 2023

STELRAD 

HELPING 

TO HEAT 

HOMES 

SUSTAINABLY 

Proudly supporting 

Not just any rad. Stelrad. 

FALCONS VS NORTHAMPTON LINE-UPS 

ELLIOTT OBATOYINBO 15 

ADAM RADWAN 14 

MATIAS MORONI 13 

MATIAS ORLANDO 12 

MATEO CARRERAS 11 

BRETT CONNON 10 

MICHAEL YOUNG (CAPTAIN) 9 

LOGOVI’I MULIPOLA 1 

JAMIE BLAMIRE 2 

MARK TAMPIN 3 

GREG PETERSON 4 

SEBASTIAN DE CHAVES 5 

PEDRO RUBIOLO 6 

FREDDIE LOCKWOOD 7 

CALLUM CHICK 8 

REPLACEMENTS 

CONRAD CADE 16 

ADAM BROCKLEBANK 17 

CONOR KENNY 18 

PHILIP VAN DER WALT 19 

CARL FEARNS 20 

SAM STUART 21 

TOM PENNY 22 

ALEX TAIT 23 

REFEREE: 

ASSISTANT REFEREES: 

TELEVISION MATCH OFFICIAL: 

CITING OFFICER: 

15 GEORGE FURBANK 

14 TOM COLLINS 

13 FRASER DINGWALL 

12 RORY HUTCHINSON 

11 TOMMY FREEMAN 

10 FIN SMITH 

9 ALEX MITCHELL 

1 ALEX WALLER 

2 SAM MATAVESI 

3 PAUL HILL 

4 DAVID RIBBANS 

5 ALEX MOON 

6 COURTNEY LAWES 

7 LEWIS LUDLAM (CAPTAIN) 

8 JUARNO AUGUSTUS 

WAYNE BARNES 

LUKE PEARCE, ADAM LEAL 

STUART TERHEEGE 

CHRIS SHARP 

REPLACEMENTS 

16 TOM CRUSE 

17 ETHAN WALLER 

18 ALFIE PETCH 

19 LUKHAN SALAKAIA-LOTO 

20 ANGUS SCOTT-YOUNG 

21 SAM GRAHAM 

22 TOM JAMES 

23 TOM LITCHFIELD

CLUB 

NEWS 

Alex Codling will become Newcastle Falcons’ head coach in the summer, 

with the former England lock insisting worth ethic and pace are at the 

heart of his philosophy. 

The vastly-experienced Londoner is currently forwards coach at 

runaway leaders Oyonnax in France’s Pro D2, with the 49-year-old’s 

previous roles including forwards coach at Harlequins, head coach at 

Ealing Trailfinders and assistant coach to the English national team for 

their 2021 June internationals. 

Relishing the opportunity to take charge at Kingston Park when he 

arrives for pre-season, Codling said: “I am very excited to be able to 

make a contribution to the next chapter in Newcastle Falcons’ history. 

“There’s lot of exciting talent in the squad, and our job as a coaching 

staff is to help the players in every way we can to continue to develop 

and give them real clarity on how we want to play.” 

Having had a successful playing career at the top level including playing 

for the likes of Harlequins, Saracens and Montpellier, Codling won 

his England cap against Argentina in 2002 before embarking on his 

coaching journey. 

Giving an insight into the qualities he hopes to develop with Newcastle 

Falcons, he said: “First and foremost with any team it’s founded on hard 

work and team spirit. 

“I watched Newcastle’s last game against Gloucester a few weeks ago 

on TV, in which they claimed a victory despite playing with 14 men for 

more than an hour. The way they fought against adversity was incredible 

and the atmosphere at the ground that night looked fantastic. 

“I have seen first-hand as both a player and coach the huge passion the 

supporters have for the club, and the difference they can make.” 

Codling’s Oyonnax are top of France’s Pro D2 table and had already 

qualified for a home semi-final with four games to go, with the incoming 

Falcons boss insisting he has benefited from the experience of working 

across the Channel. 

“As a coach it is about testing yourself in different environments and 

constantly looking at ways in which you can improve every day,” he said. 

“I will take a lot from my time working in France and I can’t wait to start 

working with the Falcons’ staff and players, but in the meantime I want 

to continue to do everything I can to help Oyonnax achieve their dream 

as the season draws to an exciting conclusion with a home semi-final 

on the horizon.” 

Speaking on Codling’s appointment, chairman of rugby Matt Thompson 

said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alex to the Falcons family. 

“We’re going through a significant period of change here at Kingston 

Park, and we’re very excited about the future of the club and what we 

can all achieve together. 

“We want to play an exciting brand of rugby on the pitch and continue to 

create a platform for rugby talent in the North of England. 

“We continue to have some amazing support from our fans, our 

sponsors and all of our employees, and we’re incredibly grateful for that. 

We’re looking forward to what comes next.” 

ALEX CODLING 

5

CLUB NEWS 

The former RGS Newcastle pupil made his first-team debut as an 18-yearold 

in October 2008 and became the Falcons’ youngest ever captain 

when he took over the reins at the age of just 22. 

Leading the club to promotion and forming the cornerstone of the 

Falcons’ pack for well over a decade, Welch explained his decision, 

saying: “I’ve had an ankle issue for the past couple of seasons which has 

been niggling me every week, and I just needed to get it sorted. 

“I’ve been thinking about retirement for a little while now, and it was 

probably going to come at some point in the near future anyway with 

the way my ankle was. Coupled with the fact I have a career opportunity 

outside of rugby, it just feels like the right time. 

Newcastle Falcons chairman Semore Kurdi said: “Will retires as a true 

Newcastle Falcons great, and it has been an absolute privilege to have 

him with us for well over a decade. 

“He is somebody who always put the team before individual gain, he gave 

absolutely everything on the field and the work he did behind the scenes 

as club captain was outstanding. 

“He epitomises everything we are about as a club, and I wish him every 

success once his time with us comes to an end. Hopefully we’ll still have 

the pleasure of having him on site for game days with his family, and he’ll 

continue to be part of the club in a different way.” 

Welch is tied in second with Tom May on 275 appearances for the 

Falcons, with the pair both 12 behind former prop and current forwards 

coach Micky Ward. 

WILL WELCH TO RETIRE 

Newcastle Falcons great Will Welch, a one-club man who has spent 15 

years playing for his home town team, will retire from rugby at the end 

of the current season. 

The 33-year-old sits joint-second on the Falcons’ all-time appearance list, 

having done battle on 275 occasions. 

Speaking on the announcement he said: “It’s meant the world to me for 

me to play for the team I used to come and watch when I was a kid. From 

being in the Falcons academy, signing professionally as a teenager and 

going on to spend my whole career here – the whole thing has just been 

a dream.” 

“It’s not something that has been on my radar, to be honest,” said Welch. 

“Yeah, it would have been nice to have that record but I didn’t want to 

hang around just because of it, and you can’t argue with Wardy holding 

on to the top spot. He’s a club icon, and I’m more than happy to be second 

to him on that list.” 

The flanker hopes to remain in Newcastle where he and his wife Laura 

have two sons, Rex and Max, with Welch explaining: “I won’t miss battering 

my body on a weekend but I’ll miss the rest of it, and I’m thankful for the 

opportunities I’ve had throughout my time with the Falcons. 

“It’s meant a massive amount to me. I’ve loved playing for the club, and I’ve 

had loads of great experiences along the way. Our supporters have always 

been brilliant in getting behind me and the team, and I’d like to say a massive 

thank you for all the love they’ve shown.” 

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9

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY 

CHAMPIONS 

Falcons Community is delighted to bring teachers from across the 

region to an online CPD training event on Microsoft Teams. The 

session will offer an in-detail training about the programme and 

will take place Tuesday June 6 from 4pm until 4.30pm. For more 

information please email falconscommunity@newcastle-falcons. 

co.uk. 

GREAT NORTH RUN 2023 

CAST VOLUNTEERS 

CELEBRATE FIVE-YEAR 

ANNIVERSARY 

Falcons Community would love to shine a spotlight on our fantastic 

CAST volunteer group, who are celebrating five years of playing a key 

role on Newcastle Falcons match days. 

The CAST is supported by ELM Group and was formed back in 2018 

to assist with the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. 

Over the past five years the CAST group has grown significantly, with 

over 50 dedicated individuals volunteering their free time to help 

offer support services on match days. 

The CAST is at the heart of Newcastle Falcons’ match days, helping 

spectators with wayfinding, ticket scanning, running the Newcastle 

Rugby Foundation Flutter lottery and any ticketing issues. 

The CAST is an inclusive environment for people who may be 

facing challenges and barriers to participation. The group offers a 

supportive environment for many volunteers suffering from anxiety, 

lack of confidence, disabilities, and loneliness. The CAST is a family. 

Mary Walker, CAST volunteer manager, said: “Being a CAST volunteer 

manager has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever 

done. The group has helped so many people, from veterans with PTSD 

developing a new self-confidence, to helping people develop new 

skills to assist in getting a job and gaining their own independence. 

“Over the past five years I have been able to work with a wonderful 

group of people who are warm, kind and always willing to help.” 

For more information about the CAST volunteer group or to join the 

team for next season, please email falconscommunity@newcastlefalcons.co.uk. 

Premiership Rugby Champions is an interactive resource for primary 

schools, delivered through the Premiership Rugby Digital App. It 

provides digital lesson plans and resources available to schools 

across the country. 

Within the programme there are three strands: Tackling Health, 

Tackling Numeracy and Tackling Character. 

Tackling Health aims to take a holistic approach to educating pupils 

about their own health, wellbeing and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

Tackling Numeracy is an engaging rugby-themed numeracy 

programme. Aimed at Key Stage 2 children it delivers maths in a fun 

and unique way, utilising rugby-themed content to connect real life 

experiences. 

Tackling Character is a five-lesson engaging rugby-themed values 

programme. It aims to develop positive character traits through both 

classroom and practical activities, working on the rugby values of 

respect, teamwork, discipline, enjoyment and sportsmanship. 

Fancy completing the iconic Great North Run 2023 for Newcastle 

Rugby Foundation? 

Newcastle Rugby Foundation is calling 15 determined individuals to 

take on one of the biggest half-marathons in the UK, helping raise 

valuable funds. 

The annual half-marathon from Newcastle to the spectacular 

coastline of South Shields will be taking place on Sunday September 

10. By taking part, you will play a significant role in helping the team 

with their efforts in making the positive difference that changes lives 

for good. 

We are asking all charity runners for a minimum sponsorship target 

of just £250. 

If you are interested in a charity place, please email jessica.eaton@ 

newcastle-falcons.co.uk before April 24 with a brief description on 

why you would like to run for Newcastle Rugby Foundation. 

10 

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 

11 

Instagram: @falcons_community Facebook: Falcons Community Twitter: @FalconsCF LinkedIn: Newcastle Rugby Foundation

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 Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson 

played Premiership rugby for Newcastle 

Falcons, Northampton and which other club? 

Q2 Which Northampton Saints player is 

currently on loan at Newcastle Falcons? 

Q3 Which former Newcastle and 

Northampton lock is pictured here? 

Q6 Which Falcons player is older, Greg Peterson 

or Philip van der Walt? 

Q7 Which Newcastle Falcons player’s name is 

an anagram of ‘Saint Nephews’? 

P8 Which Newcastle Falcons player is 

pictured here? 

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Q4 Which Newcastle native is the most 

capped player in international women’s 

rugby? 

Q5 True or false, Newcastle Falcons star 

Ben Stevenson has appeared on BBC TV’s 

University Challenge? 

P9 Which North East rugby club plays its 

home games at McCracken Park? 

P10 Which team did Italy beat in last season’s 

Six Nations? 

Pulman 

Delivering a fantastic customer experience. 

ANSWERS: 1 Worcester Warriors, 2 Oisin Heffernan, 3 Mark Sorenson, 4 Sarah Hunter, 5 False, 6 Philip van der Walt, 7 

Iwan Stephens, 8 Mark Tampin, 9 Northern, 10 Wales. 

13

ALEX TAIT 

The changing of the guard at Newcastle Falcons sees a wealth 

of experience leaving the building at the end of the season, with 

homegrown hero Alex Tait admitting it has been a ‘special’ 17 

years for him. 

The 35-year-old has touched down 40 tries in his 269 games 

for the club since making his debut as a fresh-faced teenager 

in central Spain, with only Will Welch, Tom May and Micky Ward 

making more appearances for the Falcons in their professional 

history. 

Tait and Welch will both receive the applause of the Kingston Park 

faithful before they embark on the next chapter of their careers, 

with the former saying he hopes to be remembered as somebody 

who always put in a shift. 

“I’m not massively comfortable talking about myself, if I’m honest, 

because I’ve never been what you would call a ‘stardust’ player,” 

says Tait when asked to put into words the impression he has left 

on the club. 

“I’m more the cliché of the local grafter who’ll give 100% for the 

team, and I’m steady away rather than taking all the headlines. 

“That’s not always what you want because you need those 

X-factor players to put bums on seats or produce a moment of 

magic, but maybe I’ve complemented those guys over the years 

and helped those opportunities to come about. 

blessed to have been in that position. 

“I’M STEADY 

AWAY RATHER 

THAN TAKING 

ALL THE 

HEADLINES. 

“I’ve played alongside some special players when you think of a 

Sinoti, a Radwan or a Niki Goneva to name just a couple, and just 

to be in that kind of company is something I’ll always treasure. 

“I suppose I’d like to be remembered as someone who always 

put their all in and worked hard for the shirt. Hopefully I’ve done 

justice to the support I received from our fans over the years, 

because it’s meant the world to me, and then off the field I hope 

people will understand or appreciate that I always tried to make a 

positive contribution.” 

With typically self-deprecating humour, the County Durham native 

jokes: “The club means a huge amount to me, and I suppose I’ve 

been institutionalised! 

“Getting to hang around with your mates all day, playing the 

game you love and seeing some great parts of the world – I can’t 

complain, really. 

“I’ve played with and against loads of great players – I won’t start 

naming them because I’m bound to forget loads – and I’ve enjoyed 

testing myself at that level. Not everyone gets to say that, and 

then the fact I’ve been able to do it for so many years – I feel really 

“My body has been able to handle it for the most part, and I’ve been lucky 

enough to be wanted by the club throughout my career. Maybe you could 

say the coaches are daft for giving me contracts, but it’s been a huge part 

of my life and I’ve always taken a lot of pride in playing for my local club.” 

Rewinding back to the very start of his Falcons journey after playing for 

Consett Minis and Barnard Castle School, Tait explains: “I first got involved 

with the Falcons at under-15s level through the county stuff, and I actually 

had a year out due to a back operation when I was 16. The Falcons were 

really good at supporting me through that difficult period, and you don’t 

forget that kind of thing. 

“They must have thought I was reasonably alright to put that much faith 

in me during such a serious injury, and once I was fit again I progressed 

through the England age-group stuff and the Falcons’ senior academy, 

and eventually the first team. 

“I remember my first involvement in the adult side of the club was an 

A-League game over at Penrith Rugby Club, and I was absolutely crapping 

myself thinking ‘I’m out of my depth here, I’m not good enough to play at 

this level’. 

“The game went fine which gave me a bit of confidence, and then I played 

for the Falcons at the Langholm 7s on the Scottish Borders circuit while I 

14 15

Another team 

you can count on 

Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital 

was still at school. We won the tournament by beating one of 

the British Army teams, and my main memory of the day is my 

school-mate Tim Visser getting knocked spark out by one of their 

massive Fijian lads in the final. Viss scored a try and got kneed in 

the head, and it was like ‘welcome to adult rugby!’” 

Tait’s first team debut for the Falcons could hardly have gone any 

better, out-shining older brother Mathew by scoring three tries in 

a European Challenge Cup rout back in January, 2008. 

“My senior debut was out in Valladolid when we played the Spanish 

champions, Cetransa El Salvador,” he recalls. 

“I scored a hat-trick that day, and I just remember being on the 

team bus afterwards with guys I’d looked up to throughout my 

childhood like Tom May, Jamie Noon and all those guys. It was a 

bit of an eye-opener but I really enjoyed it, and like I say, I’ve loved 

the whole thing. 

“I’m not really a massive one for regrets, but one from over the 

years that bugs me is when we got to the LV Cup final against 

Gloucester, and lost. 

“We’d had a good run to the final and took a load of supporters 

down to Northampton for the game, and to be honest we just 

didn’t turn up. I look back on that one as a really disappointing 

day because it would have been great to help the club win some 

silverware, but there were loads of good days as well. 

“I remember winning the Premiership 7s finals at the Stoop when 

absolutely nobody fancied us, and we shocked everyone by 

winning the whole thing against the odds. 

“Another period that really pleased me was in the Steve Bates era 

when we went down to Bristol for a game they’d been billing as 

a relegation decider. Their coach had come out in the press and 

basically said whoever loses this game goes down, and in the end 

we won convincingly which set us off on a mad run of winning 

games. 

“When you look at it overall the results haven’t always gone our 

way, but we’ve had great players and characters. 

“I’d like to be 

remembered 

as someone 

who always put 

their all in.” 

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17

“You’ve got to 

make the leap 

sometime.” 

“I know a lot of sportspeople will say the same thing in that the 

aspect thing they remember or miss is the camaraderie, and just 

the daily craic you have with the group. I’m blessed to have found 

a lot of good life-long mates here, and that’s the best thing about 

rugby at any level I think.” 

Admitting his decision to retire came fairly naturally, he explains: “I 

haven’t sought another contract anywhere, and everything’s just 

telling me it’s the right time. 

“Thankfully I’ve managed to sort out a potential job at a wealth 

management firm in Newcastle, and I’m looking forward to getting 

stuck into that. I’ve just got some exams to pass which I’m on with 

at the moment, and I’m looking forward to taking that next step. 

“I’ve done a couple of bits of work experience in that sort of field 

over the past couple of years, trying to find out what interested 

me most, and over the Covid period I did a financial qualification 

which piqued my interest a bit more. 

“I knew it was an avenue I wanted to go down, and after having 

some conversations with people around the start of this year I 

had an inkling I was going to retire and look at starting something 

new. I was lucky enough to be chatting to a really good company 

who have taken a punt on me, and they’re helping me through my 

exams as well as a training programme to hopefully get qualified 

at the end of this month. 

“Within myself I just knew it was time. I’ve been doing this for 16 

or 17 years, which I’ve absolutely loved, and it just got to the point 

where I wasn’t even hunting out a contract for next season. That 

kind of told me that I’d made up my mind, and I’m just ready for 

a change. 

“Being a professional rugby player for 17 years isn’t great for your 

body, but I’ve been lucky enough not to have the decision forced 

upon me by injury or anything like that. 

“You’ve got to make the leap sometime, and I just felt this was 

the best moment to set something up for me and my family over 

the longer term. 

“I’m blessed to 

have found a lot 

of good life-long 

mates here.” 

“I’ll give it a good go, but of course I’ll always look back really 

fondly on my time with Newcastle Falcons.” 

18 19

PLAYER STATS 

Name 

Falcons 

career 

apps 


career 

points 


career 

tries 

Season 

2022-23 

apps 

Season 

2022-23 

points 

Season 

2022-23 

tries 

Name 


career 

apps 


career 

points 


career 

tries 

Season 

2022-23 

apps 

Season 

2022-23 

points 

Season 

2022-23 

tries 

Josh Barton 8 10 2 8 10 2 Oliver Melville 1 0 0 1 0 0 

George Bennett-Teare 3 0 0 2 0 0 Matias Moroni 13 5 1 13 5 1 

Jamie Berrisford 1 0 0 1 0 0 Logovi'i Mulipola 78 20 4 17 5 1 

James Blackett 5 3 0 3 3 0 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti 32 15 3 4 0 0 

Jamie Blamire 85 95 19 22 35 7 Elliott Obatoyinbo 16 15 3 16 15 3 

Phil Brantingham 7 0 0 5 0 0 Chidera Obonna 5 5 1 0 0 0 

Adam Brocklebank 97 0 0 21 0 0 Matias Orlando 33 15 3 12 5 1 

Conrad Cade 13 0 0 9 0 0 Richard Palframan 26 0 0 18 0 0 

Mateo Carreras 34 80 16 17 70 14 Tom Penny 86 50 10 13 10 2 

Callum Chick 123 95 19 17 10 2 Guy Pepper 7 15 3 7 10 3 

Jeremy Civil 2 0 0 2 0 0 Josh Peters 6 5 1 6 5 1 

Sam Clark 0 0 0 0 0 0 Greg Peterson 73 15 3 17 0 0 

Connor Collett 25 10 2 6 5 1 Vereimi Qorowale 2 5 1 2 5 1 

Brett Connon 86 417 2 18 123 0 Adam Radwan 92 240 48 22 25 5 

Luke Coulston 1 0 0 1 0 0 Mike Rewcastle 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Matthew Dalton 12 5 1 10 5 1 Sean Robinson 135 65 13 9 0 0 

Sebastien de Chaves 37 0 0 22 0 0 Pedro Rubiolo 6 0 0 6 0 0 

Matt Deehan 3 0 0 2 0 0 Tian Schoeman 16 48 0 16 48 0 

Mark Dormer 3 0 0 3 0 0 Charlie Smith 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Ben Douglas 3 0 0 2 0 0 Oliver Spencer 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Carl Fearns 32 10 2 13 5 1 Iwan Stephens 13 20 4 7 5 1 

Ollie Fletcher 8 5 1 7 5 1 Ben Stevenson 65 80 18 16 0 0 

Gary Graham 95 85 17 7 5 1 Sam Stuart 81 40 8 19 10 2 

Ewan Greenlaw 5 0 0 5 0 0 Alex Tait 269 200 40 9 10 2 

Nathan Greenwood 1 5 1 1 5 1 Mark Tampin 72 0 0 19 0 0 

Will Hopes 2 0 0 2 0 0 Corbin Thunder 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Louie Johnson 4 8 0 3 8 0 Josh Thomas 8 17 0 8 17 0 

Conor Kenny 5 0 0 4 0 0 Marcus Tiffen 7 10 2 6 5 1 

Zach Kerr 11 10 2 5 5 1 Philip van der Walt 39 15 3 4 5 1 

Freddie Lockwood 23 5 1 13 5 1 George Wacokecoke 63 80 16 6 5 1 

Pete Lucock 38 10 2 12 5 1 Rory Ward 3 0 0 3 0 0 

Charlie Maddison 27 5 1 10 0 0 Will Welch 275 90 18 4 0 0 

Tom Marshall 21 5 1 14 0 0 Michael Young 200 105 21 17 5 1

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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) 


Honours: England 

ADAM BROCKLEBANK 

Prop 

06/09/1995 



Honours: England Students 

CONRAD CADE 

Prop 

27/01/1997 




CHARLIE MADDISON 

Hooker 

24/06/1991 



TOM MARSHALL 

Back row 

20/10/1999 



Honours: Scotland U20 

MATIAS MORONI 

Centre 

10/07/1991 



Honours: Argentina 

LOGOVI’I MULIPOLA 

Prop 

11/03/1987 



Honours: Samoa 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

MATEO CARRERAS 

Wing 

17/12/1999 




1. 

CALLUM CHICK 

Back row 

25/11/1996 




Geoff & Marie 

Penrice 

CONNOR COLLETT 

Back row 

05/02/1996 



BRETT CONNON 

Fly-half 

29/08/1996 


Weight: 89kg (14st) 

Honours: Ireland U20 

CAMERON NORDLI-KELEMETI 

Scrum-half 

20/09/1999 



Honours: England U18 

ELLIOTT OBATOYINBO 

Full-back/wing 

9/10/1998 




MATIAS ORLANDO 

Centre 

14/11/1991 




1. 1. 1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

RICHARD PALFRAMAN 

Prop 

20/12/1993 



MATTHEW DALTON 

Lock 

16/11/1998 




SEBASTIAN DE CHAVES 

Lock 

30/10/1990 



Honours: South Africa U20 

CARL FEARNS 

Back row 

28/05/1989 



Honours: England A 

GARY GRAHAM 

Back row 

29/08/1992 



Honours: Scotland 

TOM PENNY 

Full-back 

13/10/1994 



JOSH PETERS 

Lock 

10/12/1995 



Honours: Spain 

GREG PETERSON 

Lock 

26/03/1991 



Honours: USA 

VEREIMI QOROWALE 

Wing/centre 

27/01/1995 



1. 

1. 1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

OISIN HEFFERNAN 

Prop 

04/01/1995 

Height: 186cm (6ft 1) 

CONOR KENNY 

Prop 

25/07/1996 




FREDDIE LOCKWOOD 

Back row 

31/12/2000 




PETE LUCOCK 

Centre 

27/11/1992 



ADAM RADWAN 

Wing 

30/12/1997 




PEDRO RUBIOLO 

Back-five forward 

21/12/2002 

Height: 191cm (6 foot 3) 

TIAN SCHOEMAN 

Fly-half 

23/09/1991 

Height: 1.82m (5ft 10) 

The 



Weight: 114kg (18 stone) 


24 Honours: Ireland U20 

Blackbirds Honours: England Students 


25 

SEAN ROBINSON 

Lock 

08/02/1991 

Height: 1.93m (6ft 3)

MOTOR GROUP 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

1. 

IWAN STEPHENS 

Wing 

24/03/2002 




BEN STEVENSON 

Wing/centre 

19/07/1998 




SAM STUART 

Scrum-half 

27/09/1991 




ALEX TAIT 

Full-back 

18/03/1988 




Jack & Jonquil 

Stewart 

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. 

MARK TAMPIN 

Prop 

20/01/1992 



JOSH THOMAS 

Fly-half 

30/06/2000 



Honours: Wales U20 

CORBIN THUNDER 

CORBIN THUNDER 

Hooker 

28/04/2003 



PHILIP VAN DER WALT 

Back-row 

14/07/1989 



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. 

GEORGE WACOKECOKE 

Centre 

23/10/1995 




WILL WELCH 

Back row 

03/04/1990 




MICHAEL YOUNG 

Scrum-half 

31/12/1988 



Honours: England A 

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 

02/05/2004 



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 




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 

20/11/2003 



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 




MIKE REWCASTLE 

Prop 

17/05/2004 




CHARLIE SMITH 

Hooker 

19/01/2004 




CAIN WILKINSON 

Junior academy physio 

28 29

FROM THE PRESS BOX 

By Mark Smith 

Newcastle Falcons media manager 

Scott MacLeod (left) and Mark Wilson 

“There is nothing permanent except change.” 

I don’t normally turn to Greek philosophers for my quotes – more of a Brent or 

Partridge man as a rule – but Heraclitus might have been on to something here. 

It certainly feels that way at Newcastle Falcons, where the wind of change is blowing 

at the end of a season which has had a bit of everything. 

We’ve seen coaches coming and going, club legends retiring, a new head coach 

announced, thumped the champions, won games with 14 men, had players at the 

top of the try-scoring chart, an RFU inquiry, top players committing to new deals, 

other clubs going under, multiple try of the month awards and even BT Sport finding 

Kingston Park in their sat nav! 

There’s certainly never a dull moment here, but the last home game of the season is 

always a time to take stock. 

In Alex Codling we have a new head coach to look forward to, whose record in France 

points towards positive things to come. That work has already begun behind the 

scenes, and we must acknowledge the foundations laid by those who are moving on. 

In Dave Walder we had a head coach who threw himself wholeheartedly into the 

challenge, and from the media perspective I owe him a personal debt of thanks for 

the enthusiasm and openness with which we helped get our message out. 

That theme has continued under Mark Laycock’s interim charge, and as much as we 

are all looking forward to the club’s evolution the coaching office will be a quieter 

place without unique and contrasting characters like Scott MacLeod and Mark 

Wilson. 

The final list of players leaving the club is not yet entirely confirmed but we know of 

some big ones, with Alex Tait and Will Welch both taking a well-deserved breather. If 

you could bottle those two you’d be on to something, but with new deals for the likes 

of Callum Chick, Ben Stevenson, Adam Radwan and Jamie Blamire the homegrown 

core will remain. 

Away from the playing side, the press box will certainly be a very different place 

without BBC Newcastle’s Ian Smith, who is hanging up his microphone after our final 

game at Sale Sharks in two weeks. 

Family links ensure I haven’t gotten rid of the old man completely, but we’re talking 

about a bloke who has been involved with Newcastle Falcons’ radio commentaries 

for more than 600 games spanning more than two decades, not to mention settin up 

the original Falcons academy during the mad dash into professionalism. 

Exactly what BBC Newcastle will do with their rugby coverage (if anything), I don’t 

know, but the club owes Smithy Senior an enormous debt of thanks for going the 

extra mile (literally, in the case of his travel to away games), to spread the good 

word. 

But there is plenty to look forward to. Things moving on doesn’t mean the end. 

As a wise man once said, there is nothing permanent except change. 

31

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ALL OUR YESTERDAYS 

Kingsley Hyland continues his trawl of the 

club archives, recalling some key encounters 

from down the years. 

30 YEARS AGO – APRIL 23, 1993 

MOSELEY 19-16 NEWCASTLE GOSFORTH 

Despite this narrow defeat at the Reddings, Newcastle Gosforth met their target of 

promotion to the top flight of English rugby within three years of the move to Kingston 

Park. 

The visitors went into the game with a two-point advantage over Waterloo, the only 

team who could overhaul them and who had a home game against already relegated 

Blackheath. The team’s miserly defence over the course of 

the season gave them a further huge advantage with a points 

difference of plus 138 compared to Waterloo’s plus 69. 

In the event Waterloo could only beat Blackheath 27-6, and 

Newcastle Gosforth claimed the Second Division title on 

points difference. 

The match was probably of greater significance to Moseley, 

whose narrow victory would ensure that they would not be 

one of the six teams relegated to the third tier as part of a 

league re-organisation. 

Moseley started the stronger and opened up a 6-0 lead 

through two Jim Reed-Daunter penalties. A try from prop 

Mark Linnett extended the lead to 11-0 on 37 minutes with 

the visitors’ only score being a David Johnson penalty on the 

stroke of half-time. 

Johnson added two more penalties as Newcastle gained the 

ascendency early in the second half, the second from wide 

out on the left touchline. Moseley responded with a third 

penalty of their own, but the momentum was clearly with the 

visitors. 

With 20 minutes remaining a planned move which had brought 

a sackful of tries over the course of the season worked again 

as Andrew Campbell sent fellow centre Ross Wilkinson in for a 

try, converted by Johnson to put Newcastle ahead (16-14) for 

the first time in the match. 

The match was probably of greater significance to Moseley, 

whose narrow victory would ensure that they would not be 

one of the six teams relegate With the advantage of the 

slope Newcastle should have simply closed out the match, 

but instead pressed for a second try. Moseley were able to 

clear their lines and secured a line-out close to the Newcastle 

line from which the visitors failed to cover a large blindside, 

enabling winger Dave Spiller to cross unopposed for what 

proved to be the winning score. 

At full time Newcastle, despite having lost in the league for 

only the second time, were presented with the league trophy, 

whilst Moseley, having avoided relegation, celebrated as if it 

was they and not their visitors who had won the league. 

The Newcastle Gosforth team that day was as follows: 

J.Murray; N.Robinson; R.Wilkinson; A.Campbell; T.Penn; 

D.Johnson; S.Douglas; R.Fuller, N.Frankland (capt); J.Curry; 

T.Roberts; A.Meadows: G.Clark; B.Chick; R.Arnold. 

In Division One Bath’s 19-13 secured another league title on 

points difference over Wasps, who were 7-6 victors at home 

to Bristol. Whilst both clubs finished level on 22 points with 

just one defeat apiece, Bath ended with a points difference of 

plus 252 against Wasps’ plus 67 

d to the third tier as part of a league re-organisation. 

Moseley started the stronger and opened up a 6-0 lead 

through two Jim Reed-Daunter penalties. A try from prop Mark 

Linnett extended the lead to 11-0 on 37 minutes with 

Back Row from left: Ian Chandler Jon Curry Richard Arnold Andrew Hetherington Andrew Campbell Mike Mahoney (Director of Rugby). 

38 39 

Middle row: David Johnson Colm Morgan (President) Kingsley Hyland (Team Manager) Nick Robinson Alastair Meadows Steve Gustard (Head Coach) Brian Chick Graham Clark Mark White Terry Roberts (seated). 

Crouching at front: Steve Douglas Ross Wilkinson Tim Penn Neil Frankland John Murray Rowan Fuller.

the visitors’ only score being a David Johnson penalty on the 

stroke of half-time. 

Johnson added two more penalties as Newcastle gained the 

ascendency early in the second half, the second from wide out 

on the left touchline. Moseley responded with a third penalty 

of their own, but the momentum was clearly with the visitors. 

With 20 minutes remaining a planned move which had brought 

a sackful of tries over the course of the season worked again 

as Andrew Campbell sent fellow centre Ross Wilkinson in for a 

try, converted by Johnson to put Newcastle ahead (16-14) for 

the first time in the match. 


SARACENS 12-10 NEWCASTLE FALCONS 

In front of a then English club match record crowd of 19,764, 

the two sides vying to become the first Allied Dunbar 

Premiership champions slugged it out at Watford FC’s Vicarage 

Road ground. 

The Falcons had defeated Sarries 30-25 at Kingston Park less 

than four weeks earlier to get their noses in front in a match 

of such intensity that it drew comparison with international 

matches. 

On the local front West Hartlepool were surprisingly 

comfortable winners (39-15) over Orrell as they secured their 

first home league win of the season and joined Rugby in being 

relegated to Division Two. Northern beat Middlesbrough to 

escape relegation from North Division 1 (level 5). Tynedale lost 

23-19 at champions elect Bradford and Bingley in that division 

and finished the season as runners-up to their hosts. They 

were very much a club on the rise, which would eventually see 

them reach the third tier of English rugby. 

In addition to the first team’s promotion from the second 

division, two of the club’s lower XVs 

enjoyed County Cup success. In the Northumberland Junior 

Shield Newcastle Gosforth Falcons, the club’s fourth team, 

defeated Northern Vets side the Gypsies 5-3, whilst in the 

Junior Trophy Final the Newcastle Gosforth Vets team, the 

Nomads, average age north of 40, defeated the club’s Under- 

21s, average age south of 20, by 21-3. 

The match was played at Kingston Park, and the pre-match talk 

was about how the super-fit youngsters would take advantage 

of the stadium’s wide open spaces to run their more mature 

opponents off their feet. Unfortunately they underestimated 

the challenge of getting the ball off a team containing several 

players who had played in the club’s two national cup wins in 

the 1970s! 

Jonny Wilkinson 

40 

41

esponse. 

Two further Wilkinson penalties in quick 

succession made it a one-point game (12-13) and 

it appeared as though the Falcons had weathered 

the early storm until a defensive error allowed 

Saints lock Matt Lord in for a soft try to give the 

visitors a 20-12 lead at the break. 

Heroic defence from the Falcons prevented Saints 

from extending their lead, with England winger 

Ben Cohen twice held up over the line. Wilkinson’s 

fifth penalty brought the Falcons to within a single 

score (15-20) and they secured an improbable but 

vital victory with just three minutes left on the 

clock. 

Having turned over the ball from Dawson at a 

scrum, the Falcons launched a series of attacks. 

Jamie Noon was held up short of the line but the 

ball found its way back to Wilkinson who sent out 

a long pass to centre Mark Mayerhofler, who in 

turn drew the last man to feed No.8 Hugh Vyvyan, 

scampering over in the corner to bring the scores 

level. 

There was still the issue of Wilkinson’s touchline 

conversion attempt in a swirling wind, but the 

nerveless fly-half did the business to lift the 

home side up to eighth place in the table. 

In the event they would eventually finish tenth, 

ahead of Bath and Bristol, whilst Saints finished 

the regular season in third to make the play-offs. 

The Falcons team that day was as follows: 

J.Shaw; T.May; J.Noon; Mayerhofler; M.Stephenson; 

J.Wilkinson (capt); J.Grindal; I.Peel; R.Makin; 

M.Hurter; C.Hamilton; S.Grimes; C.Newby; A.Mower; 

H.Vyvyan. 

Vicarage Road that day 

The Falcons went into the game having lost just 

once in the league (30-17 at Richmond in mid- 

March) and matched their hosts blow for blow. 

Sarries led 6-3 at half-time through two Michael 

Lynagh penalties to one from Rob Andrew. 

Lynagh added a further two penalties after the 

break but the visitors scored the game’s only 

try through Pat Lam, with Andrew adding the 

conversion. 

The Falcons were leading 10-9 as full-time 

approached when Lynagh, mindful perhaps of 

how Andrew’s drop-goal for England had booted 

Australia out of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, landed 

a drop-goal of his own to secure victory. 

With a game in hand Newcastle still had the 

advantage in the title race, but they lost that 

advantage when they lost 18-17 to Wasps at Loftus 

Road just four days later. Saracens then blew their 

own advantage when they were held to a 10-10 

draw at Leicester, and the Falcons won their last 

four matches to take the title. 

The teams that day were as follows: 

Saracens: G.Johnson; R.Constable; P.Sella; 

R.Constable; R.Wallace; M.Lynagh; K.Bracken: 

R.Grau; G.Chuter; P.Wallace; P.Johns; D.Grewcock; 

B.Sturnham; F.Pienaar; T.Diprose (capt). 

Newcastle: S.Legg; J.Naylor; J.Wilkinson; 

A.Tait; T.Underwood; R.Andrew; G.Armstrong; 

N.Popplewell; R.Nesdale; P.Vanzandvliet; G.Archer; 

G.Weir; P.Lam; R.Arnold; D.Ryan (capt). 


NEWCASTLE FALCONS 22-20 NORTHAMPTON 

Twenty years ago, and high-flying Northampton 

Saints were again the visitors to Kingston Park, 

the Falcons starting the match at the bottom of 

the Zurich Premiership. 

The form book suggested a victory for the Saints, 

and so it appeared as they scored two early Matt 

Dawson tries and a Paul Grayson penalty, with two 

penalties from Jonny Wilkinson the Falcons’ only 

42 Mark Mayerhofler 

43

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 (L 10-17) 

GP: Sat Nov 12 v Gloucester Rugby (W 21-27) 

PRC: SAT NOV 19 V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (L 28-31) 

GP: FRI NOV 25 V EXETER CHIEFS (W 24-21) 

DECEMBER 

GP: Sat Dec 3 v London Irish (L 39-17) 

ECC: Sat Dec 10 v Connacht (L 22-8) 

ECC: SAT DEC 17 v CARDIFF (L 10-47) 

GP: FRI DEC 23 V SALE SHARKS (W 20-14) 

GP: Sat Dec 31 v Bath Rugby (L 24-16) 

JANUARY 

GP: SAT JAN 7 V LEICESTER TIGERS (W 45-26) 

ECC: Sun Jan 15 v Cardiff (L 42-10) 

ECC: SAT JAN 21 v CONNACHT (W 35-21) 

FEBRUARY 

F: SAT FEB 11 V SOUTHERN KNIGHTS (W 68-19) 

GP: Fri Feb 17 v Bristol Bears (L 30-12) 

GP: Sat Feb 25 v Saracens (L 29-23) 

MARCH 

GP: SUN MAR 5 V LONDON IRISH (L 19-34) 

GP: Sat Mar 11 v Exeter Chiefs (L 24-5) 

F: FRI MAR 17 V AYRSHIRE BULLS (W 36-28) 

GP: FRI MAR 24 V GLOUCESTER (W 17-12) 

APRIL 

GP: Sat Apr 15 v Harlequins (L 48-20) 

GP: FRI APR 21 V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (7.45PM) 

MAY 

GP: SAT MAY 6 v Sale Sharks (4pm) 

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44 

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

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CLUB NEWS 

AWARDS AND APPLAUSE 

Supporters are encouraged to stay on after tonight’s final whistle as 

Newcastle Falcons’ end-of-season awards are presented on the main pitch. 

The squad will remain on the field after the game to present three awards – 

try of the season, players’ player and then player of the season. 

Following the presentations, which will be conducted over the stadium PA 

system, the players will stay for photos and autographs with supporters. 

There will also be the chance on the night for fans to show their appreciation 

for retiring club legends Will Welch and Alex Tait. 

Welch will take the field approximately eight minutes before kick-off to 

receive supporters’ applause, with a brief presentation and Q&A over 

the stadium PA. Tait, who is involved in the game, will receive the same 

opportunity after the match, around the player awards. 

TWO MORE YEARS FOR 

CHICK 

Callum Chick says he is excited about the next chapter for Newcastle Falcons 

after committing to a new two-year deal with the Kingston Park club. 

The Ponteland native has risen through the Falcons’ system and been 

capped by England, with the 26-year-old back-rower eager to add to his 123 

appearances. 

Scoring 19 tries for the Falcons, the former England Under-20s captain 

insisted the chance to be part of his home club’s evolution under incoming 

head coach Alex Codling was just too good to turn down. 

“It’s been a strange year for the club with lots of changes going on, but with 

Alex coming in I believe it’s an exciting time for us,” said Chick, who came 

through the Falcons’ ACE programme at Gosforth Academy. 

“I’ve had some conversations with him and he’s very much wanting to move 

the club forward in the right way, and is keen for me to be a part of that. 

“I worked with him when we were both with the England squad in that 

summer of 2021, and he was the line-out coach. He’s a really good coach, 

currently doing a fantastic job with Oyonnax, and hopefully he can come 

across and shake things up a bit. 

“It’s a new voice bringing some new experiences to the players, and hopefully 

it will get the best out of us.” 

Will Welch 

YOUNGSTERS SHINE 

BRIGHT 

Newcastle Falcons entre Ben Redshaw captained England Under-18s to an 

incredible 56-14 win over Ireland Under-18s in Dublin on Sunday. 

Falcons front-rower Isaac Keller was also involved in the game as a 

replacement, with club-mate Jacob Oliver also featuring in the win over Italy 

the previous week. 

48

IN OPPOSITION - NORTHAMPTON 

Northampton Saints are playing their final game of the season this 

evening, with the East Midlands having a bye for the final round of 

matches. 

The men from Franklin’s Gardens are still in the play-off picture 

as they look to state their case for a semi-final place – a cause 

aided significantly by last weekend’s 38-29 home win over leaders 

Saracens. 

The Saints came into the season with a fair degree of stability in 

their playing squad, albeit with a change at the top as Phil Dowson 

assumed the reins as director of rugby. 

The former Newcastle captain succeeded experienced Kiwi Chris 

Boyd at the helm after stepping up from his coaching role, taking 

charge of a squad which saw a handful of key summer arrivals. 

Australia lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was among the headline 

signings, with fellow Aussie James Ramm signing from New South 

Wales Waratahs. Angus Scott-Young was another Australian putting 

pen to paper, while Italy scrum-half Callum Braley joined from 

Benetton. 

Hooker Robbie Smith was a familiar face in these parts as the 

Newcastle hooker headed down the A1(M), and Northampton were 

also active in the mid-season market as they acquired Worcester’s 

promising fly-half Fin Smith, former Wasps hooker Tom Cruse and 

Newcastle prop Trevor Davison. 

That helped off-set the autumn departure of Wales fly-half Dan 

Biggar and the subsequent exit of prop Ehren Painter to Exeter. 

Players to have left last summer included Fiji lock Api Ratuniyarawa, 

ex-England centre Piers Francis, former England flankers Tom Wood 

and Teimana Harrison, Samoan back Ah See Tuala and giant wing 

Taqele Naiyaravoro, with Dowson’s side kicking off the Gallagher 

Premiership season with a 29-22 loss at Sale Sharks. 

A bonus-point victory over London Irish (38-22) followed prior to a 

derby defeat at home to Leicester (21-41), with a trip to Harlequins 

bringing a high-scoring defeat (35-29). 

Scrum-half Alex Mitchell 

Saints and England flanker Lewis Ludlam 

The tries kept on coming at both ends as they nicked a 40-36 away 

win over Wasps which would be wiped from the record books, before 

their meeting with Newcastle brought a 32-31 home win for the 

Saints. 

Beaten 27-14 at Bath in late October, they beat Bristol (45-31) and 

Exeter (26-19) in a season which would see them shining at home but 

not always firing on the road. 

Points were in no short supply when they were defeated 45-39 at 

Saracens and 34-19 at Gloucester, beating Harlequins (46-17) and 

losing at Exeter (35-12) early in the new year. One of the highlights of 

their season was an 18-19 derby victory at local rivals Leicester, with 

thrilling home wins following against Sale (38-34) and Gloucester 

(41-34) before a 62-8 drubbing at Bristol. 

Bath were beaten 45-26 at Franklin’s Gardens leading into a 37- 

22 loss at London Irish and then last week’s 38-29 triumph over 

Saracens, Northampton’s European season saw them bowing out 

of the Heineken Champions Cup group phase after losses against La 

Rochelle and Munster. 

52 

53

IN OPPOSITION - THREE TO WATCH 

JAMES RAMM 

The 24-year-old winger is in his first season with the Saints, having 

joined from Australian side New South Wales Waratahs. 

The English-qualified flyer was a competitive gymnast in his youth, 

with the former Randwick player breaking through to Super Rugby 

before earning his move north last summer. 

A former Australia Under-20s international, Ramm has scored three 

tries in his ten Premiership games to date, with seven tries in 16 

outings in all competitions. 

FIN SMITH 

The 20-year-old fly-half was a mid-season signing from Worcester 

Warriors, but has gone on to become a mainstay of the Saints line-up. 

Making his Premiership debut for Worcester as an 18-year-old, he 

appeared 31 times for the Warriors before heading to Northampton, where 

Dan Biggar’s move to Toulon handed him the chance for further minutes. 

Qualified to play for Scotland as well as England, Smith has already 

been part of England training squads but is yet to take the field in a full 

international, although he did appear eight times for England Under-20s. 

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY 

PHIL DOWSON 

DAVID RIBBANS 

Raised in South Africa, lock-forward Ribbans began his professional 

rugby journey with Western Province, graduating to the Stormers’ setup 

in Super Rugby. 

Signing to Northampton in 2017, the 27-year-old has now played 102 

games for the Saints, scoring 17 tries. 

His consistent club performances have also won the English-qualified 

forward international recognition, lining up six times for England, 

although his impending summer move to France looks set to impede his 

chances of adding to that in the longer term. 

Northampton’s director of rugby is a familiar face to 

supporters at Kingston Park, having been a former Newcastle 

Falcons captain during his long and successful playing career. 

Scoring the winning try for the Falcons in the 2004 Powergen 

Cup final, Dowson’s playing career saw him appearing in the 

pack for Northampton and Worcester, as well as breaking 

into the English national side. 

Dowson is in his first full season as director of rugby following 

the departure of Kiwi veteran Chris Boyd, in whose coaching 

staff he served prior to stepping up. 

55

Newcastle Falcons are delighted to announce that season tickets for 

the 2023-24 campaign are now on general sale 

Following your feedback during our fan survey at the end of last year 

and given the current pressures on everyone created by the cost-ofliving, 

we have conducted a full pricing review of our ticketing as part 

of our commitment to ensuring that rugby is accessible to everyone. 

As a result, pricing has been reduced for the 2023-24 season. 

PRICING 

The 2023-24 season ticket will include 12 games (10 Gallagher 

Premiership and two European games) to ensure we can honour the 

full amount of pre-paid fixtures. 

Any additional fixtures will be available to purchase on a match-bymatch 

basis, giving us the flexibility to give our supporters more great 

deals throughout the season. 

Car-parking charges have also been reduced by 25%, with seasonal 

passes available for purchase by season ticket holders only. 

BIG SAVINGS 

2023 - 24 

The new season will see big savings for our committed and loyal supporters. 

Our simplified pricing structure will include TWO price classes will be 

made available – standard and under-18 - with the standard season 

ticket equating to £5 off EVERY GAME. 

With the new season tickets, adults can save up to £60 across all areas 

of Kingston Park with U18s also saving the same amount across 

our West A, West B and East stand seating and up to £24 everywhere 

else in the stadium. 

We will also be retaining our free junior season ticket with a full paying 

adult. Under-11s qualify for this deal, extended to under-15s for those 

registered as a player with their local rugby club. 

While our season ticket remains the most economical way to enjoy 

every home game this coming season, we have also extended our 

pricing reductions to our membership bundles and our match-bymatch 

tickets, with details set to be announced in due course. 

SEASON TICKET BENEFITS 

On top of access to some high-quality top-flight rugby for great value, 

all Newcastle Falcons season ticket members can access a significant 

number of additional benefits, including: 

* Free exclusive Falcons’ season ticket hat – to be collected at a game. 

* Bring a friend to one game per season (subject to availability). 

* Invites to exclusive member events. 

* 10% discount in club shop. 

* 10% discount in our East Stand Tap & Tackle bar (excluding matchdays). 

* 10% discount on stadium room hire for events. 

* Entry into all academy games. 

* Entry into international ticket ballot. 

* Free of charge junior season ticket with full paying adult (U15 registered 

player and U11 only). 

* All junior season ticket holders enrolled into junior fan club (for under 

16s). 

* Ticket transfer (within 4 weeks and subject to availability). 

* Entry into any pre-season friendlies. 

* Access to Falcons’ membership pricing for additional tickets. 

* Exclusive prize draws and retail offers. 

* Priority purchase on limited capacity games. 

* Exclusive retail offers throughout the season. 

* Claim one FREE ticket per season ticket to race meetings at Hexham 

Racecourse (subject to availability). 

* Travel discount with LNER on specific dates across the season. 

* FREE ticket for Newcastle Thunder’s games against Bradford and 

Widnes in the 2023 season. 

* Exclusive offers on community camps and events. 

HOSPITALITY 

Hospitality at Newcastle Falcons is also set to see a revamp for the 

new season, with a brand-new package at a lower price point set to 

be introduced alongside the retention of some of our popular existing 

packages for the 23/24 season. 

The renewal window for this will open in due course. Further details 

will be introduced in due course but if you’re interested in finding 

out more, please contact the team via emailing: 

corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk.tle-falcons.co.uk. 

HOW TO BOOK 

Season tickets can be bought via the club website, in person at the 

ticket office during opening hours, by calling 0191 214 5588 (option 

1) or by emailing ticketoffice@newcastle-falcons.co.uk. 

Our opening hours: 

Monday 12pm – 5pm. 

Tuesday – Closed. 

Wednesday 12pm – 5pm. 

Thursday 12pm – 5pm. 

Friday 12pm – 5pm. 

Saturday 10am – 4pm. 

Sunday – Closed. 

Once again, we want to thank you for all your support, and we look 

forward to welcoming you all back to Kingston Park for the 2023-24 

Gallagher Premiership campaign. 

SEASON TICKET PRICING* 

MATCH-BY-MATCH AND SAVINGS 

Standard U18 Standard U18 Saving standard Saving U18 

North £120.00 £60.00 £180.00 £84.00 £60.00 £24.00 

South £180.00 £60.00 £240.00 £84.00 £60.00 £24.00 

West A £480.00 £240.00 £540.00 £300.00 £60.00 £60.00 

West B £360.00 £180.00 £420.00 £240.00 £60.00 £60.00 

West C £300.00 £120.00 £360.00 £144.00 £60.00 £24.00 

West D £240.00 £120.00 £300.00 £144.00 £60.00 £24.00 

East £480.00 £240.00 £540.00 £300.00 £60.00 £60.00 

East terracing £120.00 £60.00 £180.00 £84.00 £60.00 £24.00

The home of 

domestic rugby

NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION 

VETS’ RUGBY AND BEER: A MATCH MADE IN 

HEAVEN! 

I have waxed lyrical before about the renaissance of Vets Rugby 

under the ‘Friday Night Lights’ banner which allows players as well 

as referees - both sets of participants of an age - to come together 

in an attempt to defy the march of time. 

The very last competition of this season is on Friday April 28 with 

a 6pm start at Morpeth RFC, which by a happy coincidence is 

also hosting its annual Beer Festival that very same weekend - a 

fact that that will almost certainly substantially improve the allimportant 

post-match rehydration protocol. 

As usual there will be the famous five regular teams competing - 

Ashington Colliers, Blyth Buccaneers, Morpeth Ranters, Novos Vets 

(7Cs) and Whitley Bay Rockliff Vets. 

Individual players of age 35 and above are more than welcome to 

come along with their boots, however, the organisers respectfully 

request that if anyone would like to play they go onto the North 

East Vets’ Facebook page to confirm their attendance if they are 

able to do so. 

COUNTY MATCHES 

As the regular club season gradually starts to draw to a close the 

County Men’s and Women’s season starts to gather momentum, 

with the County Under-20s needing a win to stay in the hunt to 

progress as they try to follow in the footsteps of the illustrious 

group from last year (who, of course, won the competition) in 

making the long trip down to Bowden RFC in Cheshire on Sunday. 

The Under-20s could, and possibly should, have beaten Yorkshire 

last time out, but a slow start and the bounce of the ball meant 

Yorkshire took the bragging rights in what was a tremendously 

entertaining match. 

Good luck to them, as well as the first squad of senior county women 

which has just been announced in advance of their debuts in the Gill 

Burns Division II County Championship. 

Congratulations to all those age group players who have pulled on 

the green and gold to represent Northumberland so far this season, 

and those selected who are yet to play. 

County Rugby is still a hugely important part of the rugby calendar 

and, for many players, it remains a source of great pride as the 

pinnacle of their careers. Its importance to the development of 

players as a springboard to greater things shouldn’t be ignored nor 

belittled, so please go and support Northumberland. Entry is free to 

all the matches, details of which can be found on the county website 

and Facebook pages. 

COUNTY CUP MATCHES 

Congratulations must also go to Percy Park and Morpeth in the 

inaugural Papa John’s Cup. Both clubs have won their first games, 

and as such are well positioned to progress. 

In other County competitions, in the No.2 County Cup final Medicals 

beat Alnwick Lions 22-8, and in the No.2 Plate competition final 

Tynedale Centurions were victors over Novos IIs by 41 to 34. 

Good luck to everyone still involved and, to those knocked out, hard 

luck - but there’s always next year. 

60

62 

PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWS 

TONIGHT 

NEWCASTLE FALCONS V NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 

The Falcons’ only defeat at Kingston Park in their last five Gallagher 

Premiership Rugby matches was 19-34 to London Irish in Round 19. 

Northampton Saints’ last six encounters in Gallagher Premiership 

Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day. The Saints have 

won just once on the road in Premiership Rugby since Round 5, 19-18 

at Leicester on January 28. 

Newcastle centre Pete Lucock 

TOMORROW 

EXETER CHIEFS V BRISTOL BEARS 

Exeter Chiefs have won just one of their last four Gallagher Premiership 

Rugby matches. The Chiefs have not been defeated at Sandy Park in any 

competition since Saracens were the visitors in Round 7 of Premiership 

Rugby in October. 

Bristol Bears have lost their last two Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures 

since beating Harlequins 51-26 at Ashton Gate in Round 20. The Bears’ only 

victory in their last four away trips in Premiership Rugby was 15-13 at Bath 

on February 24. 

HARLEQUINS V BATH 

Harlequins’ last six matches in Gallagher Premiership 

Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day. 

Harlequins are unbeaten in their last seven visits to 

Twickenham Stadium, since London Irish beat them 

there in the London Double Header in 2017. 

Bath Rugby have won their last two matches in 

Gallagher Premiership Rugby and have not won three in 

succession in the competition since last November. Bath 

beat Gloucester at Kingsholm last Friday evening and 

have not won back-to-back away games in Premiership 

Rugby since March 2021. 

Harlequins wing Cadan Murley 

GLOUCESTER V SALE SHARKS 

Gloucester Rugby have slipped to four straight defeats 

in Gallagher Premiership Rugby since beating Harlequins 

28-26 at Kingsholm in Round 17. The Cherry and Whites 

have not lost five in a row in the competition since 

February 2021. 

Sale Sharks have won only two of their last five Gallagher 

Premiership Rugby matches, at home to Saracens in 

Round 19 and at Bristol last weekend. The Sharks’ victory 

at Ashton Gate last Friday was their first success on the 

road in Premiership Rugby since their trip to Harlequins 

on January 8. 

SUNDAY 

SARACENS V LONDON IRISH 

Saracens have won their last 14 games at StoneX 

Stadium in Premiership Rugby since Gloucester beat 

them there 25-24 in January 2022. 

London Irish have lost only one of their last seven 

Gallagher Premiership Rugby fixtures: 22-25 to Leicester 

at Gtech Community Stadium in Round 18. The Exiles 

have won their last two away games in the competition, 

at Bath and at Newcastle, and have not won three in a 

row on their travels since 2008. 

London Irish are unbeaten in their last three clashes with 

Saracens in Premiership Rugby, including a 29-20 victory 

at Gtech Community Stadium in Round 13 this season. 

Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola 

63

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T: 07548 093 612 


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Newcastle Falcons VS Northampton - Programme

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