Newcastle Falcons vs Northampton Programme

“I play the game the way I do because I want to get people up
out of their seats being excited about rugby, and I think back
to when I was young. I was part of the guard of honour at a
Falcons game, waving the flags when the players ran onto the
field. I had my photo taken with Alex Tait after the match and I
was absolutely buzzing because I was just star-struck meeting
him in the flesh.
“It’s funny looking back because he’s a mate of mine now and
I wind him up all the time by sending him the photo, but this
is a special club and the players really value everything our
supporters do for us. It’s no hardship at all if someone wants
a selfie, a high five or whatever, and I just think back to when I
was that kid and how I felt about the Falcons.
“The players really
value everything our
supporters do for
us.”
“I like having a run with the ball, which the fans seem to enjoy,
although guys like Brett Connon and the coaches probably tear
their hair out when I go off-script. I love to score tries, whether
they’re from one metre out or one hundred. I just want to get
my hands on the ball and have a crack, and as much as I was
joking about the coaches getting frustrated when I don’t stick
to script they’re actually really good at giving me the licence to
go if I think it’s on.”
Asked who excites him in the current game, he says: “Internationally,
I love the two Irish wingers, Mack Hansen and James
Lowe. The way they play the game is class because they’re
popping up all over the pitch, getting touches everywhere and
creating opportunities out of nothing. More locally, we have a
few really exciting young lads at the club.
“Three for me who immediately stick out are Ben Redshaw.
He’s going to be a really good player – he is already, to be fair
– and Oli Spencer is another one. He’s had some horrendous
luck with injuries but has come back really well, and he’s very
skilful. He looks like he has loads of time on the ball, and in the
pack Jacob Oliver is another. He rocked up here last year when
he was still a schoolboy and trained with the first team, and I
thought he was a centre. He was flying round the field making
breaks, and he reminds me of Jamie Blamire in lots of ways.”
Media and message boards might be full of doom and gloom
PLAYER INTERVEIW - ADAM RADWAN
Sam Cross making a tackle during the 2016 Olympics
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