The Newcastle Falcons head into the 2016-17 season off the back of an unbeaten pre-season. There are quite a few that will subscribe to the theory that pre-season victories matter little. Of course they don’t when it comes to the crux of the Premiership but I believe this run of victories will have benefitted Dean Richards’ side.
The Falcons are a team that need to cement their winning mentality and confidence when ever that opportunity arises. It's vital that they do so, so that when it comes to the real deal of the Aviva Premiership they’ve got that ability to be able to push themselves against their opponents and if the opportunity arises take the victories.
It’s fair to say that there’s been quite a lot of movement in terms of personnel at the Falcons with a whole host of players arriving and leaving. Those that are entering the fray are less well known than the signings that other clubs have made, with Vereniki Goneva and Opeti Fonua the main exceptions to that rule. With his move up north ther former Leicester Tigers could gain another surge in form. When he was voted the RPA Players' Player of the Year back in 2015 he was electric but dipped off the season after. In the 2015-16 term we certainly saw a more familiar Vereniki Goneva and with the support of Sinoti Sinoti, and an hard firm playing surface to call his own, I really hope that he flies.
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There are others that will be part of the start to Newcastle Falcons’ season that we haven’t seen for a while due to injuries and all need to get a good strong run of form under their belts for the club. Mike Delany's interrupted season last time out meant that he couldn’t truly find consistency in a Falcons jersey - although Andy Goode’s arrival was a stroke of genius. Jon Welsh didn’t appear for the side from January onwards and the aforementioned Sinoti Sinoti was frustrated on the sidelines. We all bang on, time and time again, about Sinoti but his presence is vital. He adds so much to the side from a confidence point of view as well as being an outstandingly gifted attacking threat and try scorer. All of that said there’s no question that Nili Latu’s extended early absence is a huge blow. The Tongan provided so much front foot ball, turnovers and firepower whenever he was on the field last season and the experienced duo of Will Welch and Mark Wilson will need to step up even more to fill the gap that he leaves.
With the Newcastle Falcons I’d like to go back to my point aboubt confidence and belief,. When we saw them deliver steps forwards on a weekly basis it was the season when they didn’t have to look over their shoulder due to London Welsh’s presence. This time around they have to endeavour to make the same progress forwards while being wary of those around them and their position in relation to the drop. It's a real challenge to be ambitions and develop your output while keeping one eye on safety and much of being able to do so comes to down to mental strength and the support provided by the management.
Last season discipline was a big problem in the opening rounds as they gave away far too many penalties and stunted their own output. The time they need to polish up their act and look to frustrate and challenge teams at Kingston Park before going hell for leather on the road and seeing how it goes.
Last season discipline was a big problem in the opening rounds as they gave away far too many penalties and stunted their own output. The time they need to polish up their act and look to frustrate and challenge teams at Kingston Park before going hell for leather on the road and seeing how it goes.
In the 2016-17 season I’m not envisaging a sudden surge up into the Top 6 or Top 4 for the Falcons. Instead they need to focus on their own output, come together as a hard working squad and make sure that they accumulate points as consistently as possible. The firepower isn’t there to compete with the most experienced sides but they have to look to try and ruffle some feathers during the International periods and have the mental strength and fortitude to do the business when it comes to those key crunch matches.
Opening Six Matches: Sale Sharks (H), Bath Rugby (A), Leicester Tigers (H), Gloucester Rugby (A), Worcester Warriors (A), Bristol (H).
Key Focus: Delivering their performances quality under intense pressure and ensuring their firecrackers have enough ball to work from.
In: Nick Civetta (I Medicei, Italy), Kyle Cooper (Sharks, SA), Andrew Davidson (Glasgow), Sam Egerton (England 7s), Vereniki Goneva (Leicester Tigers), Joel Hodgson (Yorkshire Carnegie), Tyrone Holmes (Glasgow Warriors) Sam Lockwood (Jersey), Evan Olmstead (London Scottish), Harrison Orr (Ealing), Ben Sowrey (Worcester), Opeti Fonua (Leicester Tigers)
Out: Todd Clever, Eric Fry, Josh Furno (Zebre), Rob Hawkins (retired), Richard Mayhew (Yorkshire Carnegie), George McGuigan (Leicester), Kane Thompson (Manawatu), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre), Gonzalo Tiesi, Ruki Tipuna, Alesana Tuilagi, Andy Tuilagi
