Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs Programme

ALEX
CODLING
THIS AFTERNOON
PRESENTS A MASSIVE
OPPORTUNITY FOR US
Thank you for attendance today as we embark on a really
important afternoon for the club.
Welcome to Rob Baxter, his Exeter Chiefs side and all of their
supporters for what must be one of the longest trips in English
professional sport.
The Chiefs have had a strong start to the season and, like
ourselves, are in somewhat of a rebuilding phase after changing
the make-up of their squad over the summer. They have been
able to register some key results at home, which is the big step
we are all working hard towards here.
Positive performances and good spells in games are one thing,
but we are all acutely aware of the need to convert them into
wins in a league where the margins are so small. This afternoon
presents a massive opportunity for us to do that, and there has
been a real buzz about the club from the players and staff as we
all work towards the same goal.
Anyone who knows me will know how much I hate losing,
but despite our defeat at Sale Sharks last Friday I was really
encouraged by much of the performance.
To take a side showing 13 changes, with four Gallagher
Premiership debutants on a five-day turnaround to one of the
hardest grounds in the country to win at – that’s a big ask at
the best of times.
I thought we played some good rugby, we earned a four-try
bonus point and were trailing by only four points going into the
last five minutes. Of course, from that position we need to be
closing out those games, and that is a huge focus for us coming
into today.
The fans whom myself and the players spoke to after the game
were really appreciative of the guys’ efforts, and can see what
we are trying to do.
We need to be turning these positive aspects of our performance
into victories, and we know how big a role our supporters have
to play alongside the team in really working together to drive
that atmosphere.
With that in mind it is fantastic to have Wor Flags here with us
this afternoon, putting on a visual spectacle in the West Stand
which will really push that big-game feeling at a ground we
always love playing at.
Since arriving in the North East I have been really taken for the
passion for sport which is the beating heart of this region, and
our supporters deserve a result today for the manner in which
they have stuck with us and got behind the group.
Away from Kingston Park it was lovely to pop over to Paris on
the team’s day off to attend the French rugby awards, at which
the Oyonnax coaches were presented with ‘staff of the season’
following our 2022-23 ProD2 title and promotion into the Top 14.
It was a great occasion and nice to catch up with some old
friends looking back on last season, but it was straight back to
Newcastle the next morning because I am filled with excitement
about the potential within our squad and the prospect of us
nailing that victory for you all this afternoon.
Once again, thanks for your support.
CODDERS
ALEX CODLING - HEAD COACH’S NOTES
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