Newcastle Falcons vs Sale Sharks Match-Day Programme

MATCH-DAY PROGRAMME
NEWCASTLE
FALCONS VS
SALE SHARKS
SUN 28.04.24
KO 15:00

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HOME
STARTING XV
1
15 ELLIOTT OBATOYINBO 2345678
14 ADAM RADWAN
13 MATIAS MORONI
12 RORY JENNINGS
11 BEN REDSHAW
10 BRETT CONNON
9 SAM STUART
REPLACEMENTS
ADAM BROCKLEBANK
JAMIE BLAMIRE
EDUARDO BELLO
PHILIP VAN DER WALT
SEBASTIAN DE CHAVES
SAM CROSS
GUY PEPPER
CALLUM CHICK (C)
16 BRYAN BYRNE 17 MARK DORMER 18 RICHARD PALFRAMAN 19 TIM CARDALL
20 FREDDIE LOCKWOOD 21 JAMES ELLIOTT 22 OLI SPENCER 23 TOM PENNY
STARTING XV 1 BEVAN RODD
15 JOE CARPENTER 2345678 LUKE COWAN-DICKIE
14 TOM ROEBUCK JAMES HARPER
13 ROB DU PREEZ COBUS WIESE
12 MANU TUILAGI JOSH BEAUMONT
11 ARRON REED BEN CURRY (C)
10 GEORGE FORD SAM DUGDALE
9 RAFFI QUIRKE JL DU PREEZ
REPLACEMENTS
16 TOMMY TAYLOR 17 SI MCINTYRE 18 WILLGRIFF JOHN 19 BEN BAMBER
20 HYRON ANDREWS 21 GUS WARR 22 SAM JAMES 23 TOM O’FLAHERTY
AWAY
REFEREE: ANTHONY WOODTHORPE
ASSISTANT REFEREES: HAMISH SMALES, GREG MACDONALD
TELEVISION MATCH OFFICIAL: DEAN RICHARDS
TIME KEEPER: ALAN HUGHES
CITING OFFICER: SHAUN GALLAGHER

WE KNOW WE’LL BE
IN FOR A PROPER
BATTLE

STEVE
DIAMOND
CONSULTANT DIRECTOR OF RUGBY
Thank you for coming along today and forming part of what I am
told will be our biggest home crowd of the season.
We have a load of our community clubs with us taking part in
the Defender Premiership Rugby Cup competition prior to our
own kick-off, and it will be great seeing so many local teams
represented here.
As a proud northerner myself I know how much passion for
rugby there is in this part of the world, and it’s vital that we tap
into that as we look to move this club forward, on and off the
field.
I would also like to welcome the players, management and
supporters of Sale Sharks up here today – a club with which I
have had a long association over the years.
For me it is just another game and there is no greater personal
significance today, but of course I have lots of good friends at
Sale Sharks and it will be great to catch up after what I am sure
will be a highly physical contest.
Alex Sanderson is a good pal of mine and somebody for whom
I have a huge amount of respect, so we know we’ll be in for a
proper battle against a side with guys like him involved.
I know you will all have shared our disappointment after last
weekend’s game down at Bristol, where we were well beaten
by an in-form side playing great rugby. I think Bristol would have
beaten pretty much anybody with the way they were playing
that day, but of course that does not excuse what was a really
poor performance from our own perspective.
It was all the more disappointing given how well we had
competed in our previous two games against Exeter and
Leicester, and what we can’t do is allow one off day to crash the
progress we feel we had been starting to make.
We’ve been copping some criticism in the aftermath, which
comes with the territory, and I understand people’s frustration.
All we can do is respond on the field, and that is the challenge
we intend to meet today.
Looking further ahead, we have started to announce some of
our new signings for next season, with Edinburgh prop Luan de
Bruin, Sale flanker Cameron Neild and Gloucester wing/centre
Alex Hearle all out there in the public domain.
There are a couple more either signed or just about agreed, and
they all fit a similar profile in terms of guys who have got highlevel
experience, are at a good age and who I know well.
They’re not unknown quantities and they’ve been signed for a
specific purpose – to make Newcastle Falcons a respected and
highly-competitive team at the Premiership level.
It’s not going to be a quick fix here but we’re starting to put the
building blocks in place, and I’ve been really encouraged by the
support from our local area after what we all know has been a
poor season.
I’d like to thank you all once again for turning up and getting
behind us today, and cheering us on in this showcase of
northern rugby.
All the best.
DIMES
STEVE DIAMOND - DIRECTOR OF RUGBY NOTES
5

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9

We want to get
a win just to
thank our fans for
sticking with us

With northern rugby in the spotlight this weekend, Newcastle Falcons starlet Ben Redshaw
appreciates the importance of making it a truly national sport.
Born in Leeds, schooled in Sedbergh and with his squad
hosting Sale Sharks this weekend, the 19-year-old says:
“It’s vital for rugby in England that there’s a big presence
in the north, because you don’t want it just being the
preserve of the south and the Midlands. I don’t think
some people down there realise the passion that exists
for rugby in the north, and it’s something that needs to
thrive.
“Sale were in the Premiership final last season, there are
loads of top players from the north and the grass roots
clubs and schools in our region do a great job. I know
Newcastle and Sale are working really hard to grow their
crowds, and the support they already get makes it a great
atmosphere on match days. Hopefully this game can be
a bit of a showcase for rugby in the region, and we want
to get a win just to thank our fans for sticking with us.”
Part of the Newcastle side which endured a chastening
afternoon in Bristol last Sunday, Redshaw points to the
Falcons’ positive record against today’s visitors, having
won two out of their three meetings this term.
“The Sale game will be really exciting, especially thinking
of the three games we’ve had against them this season,”
he says.
“We enjoyed a good home win against Sale in the Prem
Cup at the start of the season, we got a four-try bonus
point away against them in the Premiership, which was
one of our better performances this season, and then
we beat them over there in a friendly game a month or
so ago. We’ve been really competitive in all the games
we’ve played against them, and I think here at Kingston
Park this weekend we’ve got every right to really go
after them and get that win on the board. It’s a massive
opportunity for us.”
Redshaw’s rise has been a remarkable one, with
the understated Yorkshireman in his first year as a
professional after coming through the ranks at the
famed rugby breeding ground of Sedbergh School.
“My main introduction was through my dad, who got me
into a lot of different sports,” he says.
“I’d do rugby union, rugby league, football, athletics and
things like that. I think having an involvement in a few
BEN
REDSHAW
PLAYER INTERVEIW - BEN REDSHAW
11

different sports has helped me in my development, and I always enjoyed watching it. I had a
poster of the Brownlee brothers on my wall when I was a kid, the GB triathletes who are also
from my home town of Bramhope, and they were the kind of guys I looked up to.
“I went to my local primary school in Bramhope and played at West Park Leeds rugby club, and
I got a rugby scholarship at Sedbergh which really took my game onto another level. They’ve
got a great coaching staff and a load of top players have come through there, and just being
around your mates all the time was good fun.
“Sedbergh make a big thing of all the players who have come through the school, and leaving
the shirt in a better place when you leave. I remember going there as a Year 7 or 8, standing on
the touchlines and watching the likes of Cameron Redpath and Josh Hodge, who have gone on
to have great starts to their professional careers. You’d see them around the place and their
names would be on the boards, and it has a big influence on you.
“I was probably 14 when I first got involved with the Falcons, and at that stage it was mainly
just coming over on a Thursday night and then coming into play in the Academy League once
that got underway. I came right the way through that system playing for the Falcons’ Under-
18s, and we had a pretty strong side.”
“I’ve had lots of
opportunities so early
into my career”

PLAYER INTERVEIW - BEN REDSHAW
14
With a number of the Falcons squad combining rugby with
university life, Redshaw for the time being is focused solely on
his sport, although he admits he is keeping an open mind on the
situation longer term
“A big influence on that decision was the fact I’m still figuring out
what I want to do outside of rugby. I’ve got a place at Newcastle
University for a sports science degree if I decide to do that,
which I am interested in, but I’m enjoying my rugby at the
moment and it’s a case of seeing how the whole picture looks in
terms of managing my time and what the year might look like.
“Moving from school into full-time rugby is obviously a massive
transition, although in fairness I think Sedbergh prepared me
pretty well for it. Even when I was at school we’d be training
pretty much every day, although obviously the intensity is
higher now. There’s a big emphasis on looking after my body, so
the recovery side of things is really important, and the coaches
here have been very helpful in terms of looking after me and
making sure I have the right balance of time on the field, in the
gym and resting up.”
A busy summer saw Redshaw’s assimilation into the Newcastle
squad followed by a shock call-up to join England’s training
group for a week during the Rugby World Cup in France – a
situation he still smiles about when asked to recall a remarkable
experience.
“It was pretty awesome meeting all the players and staff, and
being around the guys I’d only ever watched on TV – it was crazy,
really,” he says.
“Those guys are the reason I play the sport, and it was a massive
learning opportunity. It wasn’t just a case of holding a tackle bag
or standing on the touchline. I was in every meeting, being part
of every training session and getting feedback from the players
and coaches there. You have to grab those opportunities with
both hands, and the whole thing was unbelievable.”
The rise continued when Redshaw was handed a start at fullback
in round one of the Gallagher Premiership, with the Falcons
showing plenty of credit in defeat away to a Bath side who have
gone on to establish themselves as title contenders.
“It was awesome to make my debut in front of a packed-out
crowd at The Rec, and I was really excited to get that opportunity
so soon. I was a bit nervous because it was a big step up. My
previous game had been a school match, and all of a sudden I’m
starting against Bath in the Premiership. It was a huge day and I
learned a massive amount, especially from the physical side of
things. I’ve taken that forward as I’ve developed, and then my
next game was against Gloucester in a massive storm with the
wind and rain at Kingston Park. It was brutal, to be honest, and
it doesn’t get more Geordie than that. It was a tough evening for
everyone, spectators included, but I learned a lot from that as
well and I’ll be better for the experience.”
Now with nine senior appearances and two tries to his name,
Redshaw reflects, saying: “There’s been a lot of things going
on, bits of chopping and changing, but it’s been really positive
overall from a purely personal point of view. I’ve had lots of
opportunities so early into my career, I’ve experienced a lot of
different things in a short space of time and it’s all good in terms
of my learning.
“We all know it’s been a tough season and things haven’t gone
our way. We’ve had games we could and should have won,

ecause the same people talking you up will be the same people
trashing you if you make a mistake.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that people want to
highlight the good things in rugby and I’ve got absolutely no
issue with that. If I score a try or do something in a game which
does the rounds on social media, then happy days. But it’s not
something that I pay a lot of attention to, or allow it to influence
where my focus is. I wouldn’t say I avoid it, because it’s an
important part of growing the sport, but you just have to keep a
sense of perspective.
but unfortunately haven’t, and it’s just a case of taking those
opportunities. As a first year in professional rugby it’s been
great to be so involved and to learn so much, which I believe will
be useful for us moving forward. With the changes we’ve had I
believe we’ve got a win in us before the end of the season, all
building into an improved performance next season.”
As if all that were not enough for a single season, Redshaw was
also a central figure for England Under-20s as they won the agegroup
Six Nations, playing in every game and scoring a lengthof-the-field
try in the decisive away win over France in the final
match.
“England Under-20s had a successful season with winning the
Six Nations title, although the fact we drew at home to Ireland
meant it wasn’t quite a Grand Slam,” he says. “That’s a little bit
annoying, to be honest, but it was great to be part of and to
spend so much time with such a tight group and achieve that
victory, which will hopefully give us some momentum going into
the Under-20s World Cup.
“I know there’s a big push to try and get some more Premiership
game time for the Under-20s guys, and it seems like it’s starting
to come about. If you look at that England side now there are
quite a few guys getting senior exposure, and it definitely helps.”
Moments like his try for the Under-20s and his sensational
solo score in the Challenge Cup win over Perpignan have seen
Redshaw receiving his fair share of limelight – not that the
down-to-earth back is letting it go to his head.
“It’s a bit of a weird feeling when you see people hyping you
up on social media and tagging you on various clips from your
games,” he says. “I try to just keep my head down, to be honest,
“It’s great meeting the supporters after games and things,
although it’s all a bit new to me. For such a young lad it’s a bit
weird when people ask you for selfies and autographs, but of
course I’m happy to do it. Our fans have been great with us and
they still turn out in great numbers despite results going the
way they have, so anything we can do to show our appreciation
– we’ll do it.”
His set-piece try in the Falcons’ last home game against
Leicester was another memorable moment, and a smile comes
across Redshaw’s face when asked to recall how he bisected
the Tigers midfield and dived over in front of a jubilant South
Stand.
“Cammy Hutch gave me the ball of dreams, and I’d have been
gutted if I didn’t take that opportunity in front of such a good
home crowd,” he says.
“It was an incredible feeling and the lads were all buzzing from
the home support. We were just devastated we couldn’t close
out the result, but I know it will come.”
PLAYER INTERVEIW - BEN REDSHAW
15

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COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS
18
LEARNING
DISABILITY RUGBY
PROGRAMME
The Newcastle Rugby Foundation has partnered with Wooden
Spoon Durham and Wooden Spoon Northumberland to kick off a
Learning Disability (LD) rugby programme aimed at empowering
individuals with learning disabilities.
The initiative was launched at Kingston Park Stadium with a
mix of Wooden Spoon Durham and Northumberland members,
Newcastle Rugby Foundation staff, players from the LD team
and Newcastle Falcons players coming together.
The event featured an inclusive rugby session tailored to meet
the specific needs of participants. Newcastle Falcons players
joined in, engaging in various activities and a mini-tag rugby
match.
Thanks to the collaboration with Wooden Spoon, the programme
will be supplied with new equipment like tag belts, preparing
them for future fixtures and competitions. They will also be
given a new kit to wear when competing, giving everyone a
sense of belonging and being part of the team.
More than just a game, the LD programme promises an inclusive
space for individuals with additional needs across the North
East. From physical exercises to team building and skill-building
sessions, participants will enjoy a diverse range of activities.
Plus, they will have the chance to showcase their talents in
national competitions, putting their skills against other LD
teams nationwide.
Open to all abilities regardless of prior experience, the
programme champions accessibility. With both organisations
committed to broadening their reach, they aim to make a
meaningful impact on the lives of participants and their
families, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment
within the rugby community.
For more information about this new initiative
and how to get involved please contact
Stephen Parsons on stephen.parsons@
newcastle-falcons.co.uk .

MAY HALF-TERM COACHING CAMPS
Newcastle Rugby Foundation are excited to announce that
our May half-term camps have launched, and places are now
available!
The camps will be held at Kingston Park Stadium, Penrith RFC
and Durham City RFC over the school holiday period, all for boys
and girls aged 6 to 14.
May 28-29: Kingston Park
May 28-29: Penrith RFC
May 30: Durham City RFC
Each camp will run from 10am to 3pm and includes a range
of rugby skills, games and activities, which we see as the
perfect way to create a balance between learning, improving
and enjoyment. Camp participants will receive five hours of
coaching from DBS-cleared, RFU-qualified Falcons Community
coaches.
For more information please contact falconscommunity@
newcastle-falcons.co.uk .
TACKLING
INSIGHTS HEAD
TO EDINBURGH
Our Tackling Insights programme participants had an incredible
opportunity when they attended the Scotland v England
Women’s Six Nations fixture in Edinburgh, with their parents
and staff from the Newcastle Rugby Foundation.
The Tackling Insights programme participants had an
unforgettable experience, thanks to the support of Sage
Foundation and the Newcastle Rugby Foundation.
The Tackling Insights programme, supported by the Sage
Foundation, aspires to encourage individuals to consider
pursuing careers in the ‘STEM’ subjects of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics.
It leverages rugby and its core values as a means of inspiring
and cultivating learning through innovation, data and insight.
The group soaked in the pre-match atmosphere, getting the
chance to exchange high fives with players returning from their
warm-up routines before enjoying the match.
They cheered on England as they secured the win over Scotland.
Despite the harsh weather, the excitement around the stadium
was great, with lots of chanting and cheering. It was a truly
thrilling experience for all who attended.
After the final whistle, fans made their way pitch-side to get
autographs from their favourite players, including England
Captain Marlie Packer. They were thrilled to be able to chat and
get pictures with so many stars.
COMMUNITY NEWS
19

21

CLUB NEWS
CLUB NEWS
22
The early bird window for Newcastle Falcons’ 2024/25 season
tickets has now concluded but there’s still great value to be
had with our general sale seasonal memberships.
Included in your season ticket will be 14 home fixtures at
Kingston Park, granting you access to all our regular-season
home league games and all home cup pool fixtures.
Designed to appeal to all supporters, packages start from just
£185 for adults and from as little as £40 for U18s.
We’ve also brought back concessionary pricing for the new
season, so if you are over 65 or aged between 18 and 23 years
old you can access an additional discount on your membership.
We will also be retaining our FREE junior season ticket for the
new campaign.
Alongside a full paying adult and specific to our North Stand,
South Stand and C & D sections of the West Stand, children
under the age of 12 and club-affiliated under-16s can enjoy live
rugby at Kingston Park at no cost.
Existing season ticket holders will have their seat reserved
until the Sunday May 12, after which all seats will be made
available for general sale, so to keep your seat, make sure you
renew before the deadline.

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:
• 10% discount on retail merchandise.
• 10% discount on additional match tickets.
• 10% discount on Newcastle Rugby Foundation coaching
camps (excludes residential).
• 25% discount at Gaucho restaurants nationally.
• 10% discount at Firestone Artisan Newcastle pizzeria.
• Priority booking for home knock-out fixtures.
• Exclusive access to special season ticket holder
merchandise.
• Exclusive invitation for a season ticket holder and a
friend to two talk-ins per season.
• Entry into international ticket ballot.
• Claim one FREE ticket per season ticket to race meetings
at Hexham Racecourse (subject to availability).
• 10% discount on room hire at Newcastle Falcons.
• Ticket transfer (within 4 weeks and subject to
availability).
Seasonal car parking is also now on sale for supporters, and for
the 2024/25 season we’ve changed the system up slightly.
There will be two seasonal packages for supporters to choose
from.
Limited to 100 spaces, the Preferred package guarantees
supporters a premium parking space on the East Stand tarmac
at Kingston Park for the 14 home fixtures included in the
seasonal membership, whereas the Standard package secures
your place on the East Stand gravel overflow.
Preferred seasonal parking is available for £168 and Standard
for £140, with both packages available to purchase via the club
website.
To renew or purchase a new 2024/25 season ticket please visit
the club website, or contact our ticket office on ticketoffice@
newcastle-falcons.co.uk or 0191 214 2800.
OPENING HOURS:
Mon: 12pm – 5pm
Tue: 12pm – 5pm
Wed: 12pm – 5pm
Thu: 12pm – 5pm
Fri: 12pm – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 4pm
Sun: CLOSED
Details of seasonal hospitality and season ticket distribution for
the 2024/25 season will be issued in due course.
We also wanted to make supporters aware that for the 2024/25
season there will be more thorough ticket checks throughout
the stadium bowl to ensure supporters are seated or standing
in the correct areas.
CLUB NEWS
23

WELCOME TO THE
TRUE NORTH
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 - 24
FIRST TEAM
PLAYERS
1. 1. 1.
1.
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS
JOSH
BAINBRIDGE
JOSH
BARTON
EDUARDO
BELLO
JAMIE
BLAMIRE
BACK ROW
SCRUM-HALF
PROP
HOOKER
BORN: 17/04/96 BORN: 15/12/97 BORN: 27/11/95
BORN: 22/12/97
HEIGHT: 1.83M (6 FT) HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)
HEIGHT: 1.90M (6FT 2)
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 103KG (16 ST 3) WEIGHT: 85KG (13ST 5) WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 12)
WEIGHT: 112KG (17ST 8)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20S HONOURS: ARGENTINA HONOURS: ENGLAND
SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
26

1.
1.
1.
1.
PHIL
BRANTINGHAM
PROP
BORN: 02/10/01
HEIGHT: 1.83M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 117KG (18ST 5)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
SPONSORED BY
ADAM
BROCKLEBANK
PROP
BORN: 06/09/95
HEIGHT: 1.88M (6FT 1)
WEIGHT: 125KG (19ST 9)
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
LOUIS
BROWN
FULL-BACK
BORN: 17/02/98
HEIGHT: 1.87M (6FT 1)
WEIGHT: 91KG (14ST 5)
HONOURS: ENGLAND
COUNTIES U18
SPONSORED BY
BRYAN
BYRNE
HOOKER
BORN: 09/09/93
HEIGHT: 1.78M (5FT 10)
WEIGHT: 104KG (16ST 5)
HONOURS: IRELAND U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
1.
1.
1.
1.
TIM
CARDALL
LOCK
BORN: 13/01/97
HEIGHT: 1.98M (6FT 6)
WEIGHT: 121KG (19ST)
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS
SPONSORED BY
CALLUM
CHICK
BACK ROW
BORN: 25/11/96
HEIGHT: 1.93M (6FT 3)
WEIGHT: 115KG (18ST 1)
HONOURS: ENGLAND
SPONSORED BY
Geoff & Marie
Penrice
BRETT
CONNON
FLY-HALF
BORN: 29/08/96
HEIGHT: 1.76M (5FT 8)
WEIGHT: 89KG (14ST)
HONOURS: IRELAND U20
SPONSORED BY
SAM
CROSS
BACK ROW
BORN: 28/8/92
HEIGHT: 1.90M (6FT 2)
WEIGHT: 100KG(15ST 10)
HONOURS: WALES
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS
27

1. 1.
1.
1.
SEBASTIAN
DE CHAVES
SPONSORED BY
JAMES
ELLIOTT
JOHN
HAWKINS
LOCK
SCRUM-HALF
LOCK
BORN: 30/10/90 BORN: 29/08/98
BORN: 11/11/96
HEIGHT: 2.02M (6FT 6) HEIGHT: 1.77M (5FT 10)
HEIGHT: 1.95M (6FT 5)
WEIGHT: 117KG (18ST 5) WEIGHT: 82KG (12ST 13)
WEIGHT: 117KG (18ST 6)
HONOURS: SOUTH AFRICA U20 HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS
Jacksons Law
Firm
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
OLLIE
LEATHERBARROW
BACK ROW
BORN: 08/04/02
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT 1)
WEIGHT: 105KG (16ST 7)
HONOURS: SCOTLAND U20
SPONSORED BY
1. 1.
1.
1.
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS
RORY
JENNINGS
JONH
KELLY
ZACH
KERR
FLY-HALF/CENTRE
LOCK/BACK ROW
CENTRE/WING
BORN: 24/12/95 BORN: 11/10/95
BORN: 13/12/99
HEIGHT: 1.76M (5FT 8) HEIGHT: 1.93M (6FT 4)
HEIGHT: 1.80M (5FT 9)
WEIGHT: 84KG (13ST 3) WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 12)
WEIGHT: 93KG (14ST 9)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20S
SPONSORED BY
SPONSORED BY
SPONSORED BY
CAMERON
HUTCHISON
CENTRE
BORN: 01/06/98
HEIGHT: 1.82M (6 FT)
WEIGHT: 102KG (16 ST 1)
HONOURS: SCOTLAND U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
28

1. 1.
1.
1.
FREDDIE
LOCKWOOD
CHARLIE
MADDISON
BACK ROW
HOOKER
BORN: 31/12/00 BORN: 24/06/91
HEIGHT: 1.88M (6FT 1) HEIGHT: 1.88M (6FT 1)
WEIGHT: 116KG (18ST 3) WEIGHT: 109KG (17ST 2)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U19
MURRAY
MCCALLUM
PROP
BORN: 16/03/96
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT 1)
WEIGHT: 126KG (19ST 12)
HONOURS: SCOTLAND
KIRAN
MCDONALD
LOCK
BORN: 01/11/94
HEIGHT: 2.02M (6FT 7)
WEIGHT: 116KG (18ST 4)
SPONSORED BY
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SPONSORED BY
The Business
Agility Coach
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
1. 1.
1.
1.
MATIAS
MORONI
ELLIOTT
OBATOYINBO
CENTRE
FULL-BACK
BORN: 10/07/91 BORN: 09/10/98
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT) HEIGHT: 1.86M (6FT 1)
WEIGHT: 92KG (14ST 6)
WEIGHT: 89KG (14ST)
HONOURS: ARGENTINA
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
SPONSORED BY
SPONSORED BY
MATIAS
ORLANDO
CENTRE
BORN: 14/11/91
HEIGHT: 1.83M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 94KG (14ST 11)
HONOURS: ARGENTINA
SPONSORED BY
HUGH
O’SULLIVAN
SCRUM-HALF
BORN: 24/2/98
HEIGHT: 1.78M (5FT 9)
WEIGHT: 84KG (13ST 3)
HONOURS: IRELAND U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS
29

1. 1.
1.
1.
RICHARD
PALFRAMAN
TOM
PENNY
GUY
PEPPER
PROP
FULL-BACK
BACK ROW
BORN: 20/12/93 BORN: 13/10/94
BORN: 15/04/03
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT 1) HEIGHT: 1.79M (5FT 9)
HEIGHT: 1.90M (6FT 2)
WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 13) WEIGHT: 87KG (13ST 9)
WEIGHT: 105KG (16ST 7)
HONOURS: ENGLAND A
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SPONSORED BY
SPONSORED BY
VEREIMI
QOROWALE
WING/CENTRE
BORN: 27/01/95
HEIGHT: 1.86M (5FT 11)
WEIGHT: 102KG (16 ST 1)
HONOURS: BRITISH ARMY
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
1. 1.
1.
1.
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS
ADAM
RADWAN
SPONSORED BY
PEDRO
RUBIOLO
WING
BACK ROW/LOCK
BORN: 30/12/97 BORN: 21/12/02
HEIGHT: 1.79M (5FT 9) HEIGHT: 1.91M (6FT 2)
WEIGHT: 89KG (14ST) WEIGHT: 114KG (17ST 13)
HONOURS: ENGLAND
HONOURS: ARGENTINA
The
Blackbirds
SPONSORED BY
IWAN
STEPHENS
WING
BORN: 24/03/02
HEIGHT: 1.70M (5FT 6)
WEIGHT: 83KG (13ST)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
BEN
STEVENSON
WING/CENTRE
BORN: 19/7/98
HEIGHT: 1.89M (6FT 2)
WEIGHT: 99KG (15ST 8)
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS
30

1.
1.
1.
1.
SAM
STUART
SCRUM-HALF
BORN: 27/09/91
HEIGHT: 1.73M (5FT 7)
WEIGHT: 83KG (13ST)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
MARK
TAMPIN
PROP
BORN: 20/01/92
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 122KG (19ST 2)
JOSH
THOMAS
FLY-HALF
BORN: 30/06/00
HEIGHT: 1.78M (5FT 8)
WEIGHT: 82KG (12ST 12)
HONOURS: WALES U20
PHILIP
VAN DER WALT
LOCK
BORN: 14/07/89
HEIGHT: 1.93M (6FT 3)
WEIGHT: 112KG (17ST 9)
SPONSORED BY
SPONSORED BY
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
1.
1.
MICHAEL
VAN VUUREN
HOOKER
BORN: 28/09/91
HEIGHT: 1.87M (6FT 1)
WEIGHT: 106KG (16ST 10)
HONOURS: SOUTH AFRICA U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
GEORGE
WACOKECOKE
CENTRE
BORN: 23/10/95
HEIGHT: 1.80M (5FT 9)
WEIGHT: 94KG (14ST 11)
HONOURS: ENGLAND STUDENTS
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM PLAYERS
31

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 - 24
FIRST TEAM
STAFF
1.
STEVE
DIAMOND
CONSULTANT DIRECTOR
OF RUGBY
1. 1. 1.
1. 1.
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM STAFF
32
MICKY
WARD
COACH
TOM
WILLIAMS
SCOTT
BALDWIN
MARK
LAYCOCK
SCOTT
MACLEOD
COACH COACH
COACH COACH

1. 1. 1.
1.
JOHN
STOKOE
TEAM MANAGER
STEVE
BREMNER
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
MATT
HODKINSON
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
KEVIN
MCSHANE
HEAD OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
1. 1. 1.
1.
LEWIS
WILLIAMS
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
SHAUN
MCLAREN
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
RHYS
GRIFFITHS
HEAD PHYSIO
ANDY
SHEA
PHYSIO
1. 1. 1.
1.
DERMOT
AUSTIN
PHYSIO
RACHEL
SCURFIELD
LEAD DOCTOR
DEAN
SHIPSEY
MATCH-DAY DOCTOR
1. 1. 1.
1.
MATT
GLOVER
KIT CO-ORDINATOR
ALAN
BASKERVILLE
KIT CO-ORDINATOR
ANDREW
CRUICKSHANK
PSYCHOLOGIST
ANDY
RAMSHAW
MATCH-DAY DOCTOR
LINDSAY
MCNAUGHTON
PERFORMANCE NUTRITIONIST
SQUAD 2023-24 - FIRST TEAM STAFF
33

WELCOME TO THE
TRUE NORTH
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 -24
SENIOR
ACADEMY
1. 1. 1.
1.
SQUAD 2023-24 - SENIOR ACADEMY PLAYERS
FINN
BAKER
SAM
CLARK
LUKE
COULSTON
LOCK PROP LOCK
BORN: 17/10/04 BORN: 31/1/04 BORN: 17/07/04
HEIGHT: 2.01M (6FT 7) HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT) HEIGHT: 2M (6FT 6)
WEIGHT: 100KG (15ST 10) WEIGHT: 120KG (18ST 13) WEIGHT: 95KG (14ST 13)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
MARK
DORMER
PROP
BORN: 16/09/02
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 110KG (17ST 4)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
34

1. 1.
1.
1.
BEN
DOUGLAS
SPONSORED BY
OLLIE
FLETCHER
NATHAN
GREENWOOD
SCRUM-HALF
HOOKER
WING
BORN: 16/01/04 BORN: 09/09/02
BORN: 20/11/03
HEIGHT: 1.77M (5FT 8) HEIGHT: 1.83M (6FT)
HEIGHT: 1.75M (5FT 7)
WEIGHT: 75KG (11ST 11) WEIGHT: 106KG (16ST 9)
WEIGHT: 77KG (12ST 1)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
HONOURS: GREAT BRITAIN 7S
JOAN MILNE
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
LOUIE
JOHNSON
FLY-HALF
BORN: 13/06/03
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 93KG (14ST 9)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
SPONSORED BY
1. 1.
1.
1.
ISAAC
KELLER
JACOB
OLIVER
SPONSORED BY
BEN
REDSHAW
PROP
HOOKER
CENTRE/FULL-BACK
BORN: 30/03/05 BORN: 15/3/05
BORN: 10/1/05
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)
HEIGHT: 1.77M (5FT 10)
HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 114KG (17ST 13) WEIGHT: 95KG (14ST 13)
WEIGHT: 80KG (12ST 8)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SPONSORED BY
Hodgkinson &
Lawson
MIKE
REWCASTLE
PROP
BORN: 17/05/04
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 113KG (17ST 11)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U18
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SQUAD 2023-24 - SENIOR ACADEMY PLAYERS
35

1. 1.
1.
ADAM
SCOTT
OLIVER
SPENCER
MARCUS
TIFFEN
LOCK
FULL-BACK
BACK ROW
BORN: 27/11/01 BORN: 22/2/04
BORN: 03/09/02
HEIGHT: 1.99M (6FT 6)
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)
HEIGHT: 1.84M (6FT)
WEIGHT: 110KG (17ST 4) WEIGHT: 94KG (14ST 11)
WEIGHT: 100KG (15ST 10)
HONOURS: ENGLAND U20
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
AVAILABLE TO
SPONSOR
SQUAD 2023-24 - SENIOR ACADEMY PLAYERS + ACADEMY STAFF
36
STAFF
1. 1. 1.
1.
ACADEMY
JAMES
PONTON
HEAD OF ACADEMY
MARK
LAYCOCK
COACH
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 2023 -24
PJ
BUTLER
ACADEMY COACH
JACK
HAYES
ACADEMY COACH

1. 1. 1.
1.
KEITH
ROBINSON
ACADEMY DPP MANAGER
NICK
TODD
ACADEMY PERFORMANCE
MANAGER
MICHAEL
FERGUSON
SENIOR ACADEMY STRENGTH
& CONDITIONING COACH
JOE
MARTIN
JUNIOR ACADEMY ATHLETIC
DEVELOPMENT COACH
1. 1.
1.
CATHERINE
BOAL
ACADEMY PHYSIO
JAKE
GRIFFIN
ACADEMY PHYSIO
CHERYL
ABDUL
ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR
BE PART OF THE TEAM
TO SPONSOR A PLAYER, EMAIL
corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk
0191 214 2892
SQUAD 2023-24 - ACADEMY STAFF
37

PLAYER STATS
Name
Falcons
career
apps
Falcons
career
points
Falcons
career
tries
Season
2023-24
apps
Season
2023-24
points
Season
2023-24
tries
Name
Falcons
career
apps
Falcons
career
points
Falcons
career
tries
Season
2023-24
apps
Season
2023-24
points
Season
2023-24
tries
Josh Bainbridge 8 0 0 8 0 0 Charlie Maddison 29 5 1 2 0 0
Finn Baker 1 0 0 1 0 0 Murray McCallum 19 5 1 19 5 1
Josh Barton 16 10 2 7 0 0 Kiran McDonald 13 10 2 13 10 2
Eduardo Bello 13 5 1 13 5 1 Matias Moroni 23 10 2 8 5 1
Jamie Blamire 104 125 25 15 25 5 Elliott Obatoyinbo 33 15 3 15 0 0
Phil Brantingham 27 0 0 19 0 0 Jacob Oliver 0 0 0 0 0 0
Adam Brocklebank 122 0 0 22 0 0 Matias Orlando 45 20 4 10 5 1
Louis Brown 6 15 3 6 15 3 Hugh O'Sullivan 15 5 1 15 5 1
Bryan Byrne 16 10 2 16 10 2 Richard Palframan 34 0 0 6 0 0
Tim Cardall 13 0 0 13 0 0 Tom Penny 101 50 10 15 0 0
Callum Chick 144 105 21 19 10 2 Guy Pepper 23 20 4 15 5 1
Sam Clark 1 0 0 1 0 0 Max Pepper 2 5 1 2 5 1
Brett Connon 104 517 3 16 97 1 Vereimi Qorowale 2 5 1 0 0 0
Luke Coulston 1 0 0 0 0 0 Adam Radwan 113 275 55 19 30 6
Sam Cross 16 0 0 16 0 0 Ben Redshaw 9 10 2 9 10 2
Sebastien de Chaves 58 10 2 19 10 2 Mike Rewcastle 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mark Dormer 7 0 0 4 0 0 Pedro Rubiolo 17 5 1 10 0 0
Ben Douglas 7 5 1 4 5 1 Adam Scott 1 0 0 1 0 0
James Elliott 7 0 0 7 0 0 Oliver Spencer 7 0 0 7 0 0
Ollie Fletcher 12 15 3 4 10 2 Iwan Stephens 24 55 11 12 35 7
Nathan Greenwood 2 5 1 1 0 0 Ben Stevenson 76 95 21 10 15 3
John Hawkins 11 0 0 11 0 0 Sam Stuart 95 40 8 13 0 0
Cameron Hutchison 12 0 0 12 0 0 Mark Tampin 84 0 0 10 0 0
Rory Jennings 15 19 0 15 19 0 Corbin Thunder 0 0 0 0 0 0
Louie Johnson 16 72 1 12 64 1 Josh Thomas 14 21 0 5 4 0
Isaac Keller 0 0 0 0 0 0 Marcus Tiffen 9 10 2 2 0 0
John Kelly 8 0 0 8 0 0 Philip van der Walt 52 15 3 11 0 0
Zach Kerr 17 15 3 6 5 1 Michael van Vuuren 10 5 1 10 5 1
Ollie Leatherbarrow 4 0 0 4 0 0 George Wacokecoke 70 85 17 6 5 1
Freddie Lockwood 41 15 3 16 5 1
PLAYER STATS
39

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RIGHT
The old Great
North Road
ground
BELOW
Kingston
Park under
construction
.
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
Kingsley Hyland’s regular rugby reminiscences
highlights key moments in the club’s history.
46

35 YEARS AGO – APRIL
29, 1989
GOSFORTH 42-19 BRADFORD AND
BINGLEY
Although not appreciated at the time, the events of this
weekend 35 years ago were to prove pivotal to the futures of
Northumberland’s two most senior rugby clubs.
Gosforth had sold their Great North Road ground for
approximately £1.7m and had purchased the old Chronicle and
Journal Sports Ground, on which the current Falcons stadium
now stands, for about £50,000. Gosforth were scheduled to play
their last ever game at their old ground, but no commitment
had been made to develop the site at Kingston Park, and the
club were still in the dark as to where they would play their
home matches in in the 1989-90 season.
Gosforth had had a fairly average season by their lofty
standards, with 22 wins and a draw from 42 matches. Only
four of those victories had come in Courage League 2, and they
were beaten in the semi-final of the Northumberland Senior
Cup by Tynedale. Nevertheless, Bradford and Bingley were not
expected to stand in the way of Gosforth signing off from the
Great North Road with a victory.
Gosforth did in fact achieve a comfortable win, but the match
was actually played at Northern’s McCracken Park. Northern
had contested the Northumberland Cup final with Tynedale the
previous Wednesday, and the two closely-matched teams had
fought out a 12-12 draw. The County decreed that the final must
be replayed on the Saturday, and as they had sold their home
ground at Regent Centre and were looking for a neutral venue
for the replay, Gosforth agreed to step aside so that the last
match at the old ground did not involve a Gosforth team at all.
For the uninitiated, Bradford & Bingley had nothing to do with
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
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with the building society of that name which was to be another
high profile casualty of the 2008 financial crash, but came
about as a result a merger between the Bradford and Bingley
clubs. The match was uneventful and dominated by the
home side who ran in seven tries through Derek Briggs, Tony
Henderson, Ross Wilkinson, Sheldon Byrne, Dave Morley and
two from Denis Clegg. Fly-half Peter Clark – Banty Johnson had
moved to Northern after they secured employment for him
in the construction industry – kicked two penalties and four
conversions.
The Gosforth team that day was:
D.Briggs; T.Henderson; R.Wilkinson; D.Clegg: T.Elliott; P.Clark;
D.Walker; C.White; G.Cooper; M.Fraser; T.Roberts; C.Hall; S.Byrne;
I.Grayson; D.Morley.
their own grounds at that time, and both played their home
matches at the County Ground. These discussions were
resurrected in the late 1980s as both clubs were losing money
and facing uncertain futures.
Gosforth had been in steady decline since the glory years of the
late 1970s, whilst Northern’s playing decline had commenced
earlier and had progressed rather more sharply. The premise
behind the possible merger was that the clubs would merge
and the proceeds from the sale of Gosforth’s ground would be
invested in developing Northern’s McCracken Park into a top
class rugby venue. Talks were complicated by the fact that
McCracken Park was not actually owned by the rugby club, but
by a separate ground company. Nevertheless, the smart money
at the time was on the merger going ahead. On the Monday
following the cup replay Alan Hedley bemoaned the lack of
For the record, Northern,
inspired by Johnson, won the
cup final replay 24-16. It was
this result that was to acquire
much greater significance.
Despite the cup replay and
Gosforth’s victory subsequent
press reports were dominated
by talk of the progress, or
rather lack of it, on possible
merger talks between
Gosforth and Northern, which
were running the risk of
leaving Gosforth temporarily
homeless. This was not the
first time that such a merger
had been on the agenda.
Preliminary discussions
between senior elements in
the two clubs had taken place
over 50 years earlier when
neither club owned
George Graham
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
49

Tom May
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
progress in the talks in the Newcastle Journal. He wrote:
“New plans for Gosforth’s clubhouse and ground at Kenton Bank
Foot were on display in the North Road clubhouse on Saturday,
but both Gosforth and Northern members will have to wait until
their respective annual meetings to find out just what is going to
happen…..the first part of Gosforth’s annual meeting is a week
today and the agenda does say that members will have the
opportunity to hear reports ‘on the progress of negotiations and
have the opportunity to question and fully discuss the matter.”
Northern have the first part of their annual meeting on Thursday
night and although there is no mention on the agenda of
anything to do with merger negotiations, I would be astonished
if some discussion does not take place. Kingsley Hyland, writing
in the Gosforth programme on Saturday, lamented the fact that
it was likely that members would be given very little time to
make up their minds on whatever course is recommended.”
Your correspondent, anxious to see progress, was rather more
forthright than that. He wrote:
“It would be wrong to let the season’s last column pass
without mention of merger, since it is clear that the continuing
uncertainty over our future has had an effect on first team
performances. In this column on the final Saturdays of each of
the last two seasons I have written of the difficult decisions to
be made in the months ahead. Amazingly, those decisions are
still to be made. We have sold this ground. Our new site will not
be ready for next season, even if we wish to occupy it. We do
not yet know the tax implications of a merger with Northern.
We do not even know if the members of Northern will have
us or if it is the wish of our members to move in with them.
There is a feeling amongst members as deadlines come and go
that they were being kept in the dark. This in turn has fuelled
press speculation both locally and nationally. It is particularly
galling as a member of this club’s ruling body to read in the Daily
Telegraph as far back as November that Gosforth and Northern
have already merged! That decision will have to be taken this
summer. It appears however that after years of speculation,
members will be given little time in which to make up their
minds.”
In the event, Northern made up our minds for us. Buoyed by their
success in winning the County Cup they believed that they could
climb their way back to the higher echelons of English rugby on
their own, and dramatically pulled the plug on the talks.
That decision was to have major implications for the
immediate futures of both clubs. Gosforth went ahead with
the development of Kingston Park and played the majority of
the following season’s home matches as temporary tenants of
Percy Park’s Preston Avenue ground. It was a disastrous season
playing-wise, and the club’s freefall was only halted by the
momentum gained by the move to Kingston Park for the start
of the 1990-91 season. They achieved their target of promotion
to the top division within three seasons, and whilst their stay in
Division One was short-lived, the club had a solid enough base
to attract the interest of Sir John Hall when the game went
professional in 1995 and the Falcons were born.
As for Northern, their playing fortunes did not improve, and as
they continued to lose money they sold off one of their four
pitches for housing and used the proceeds to build their current
clubhouse. Merger talks were back on the agenda three years
later when Northern approached Gosforth, but they came to
nothing and precipitated the pitch sale. When the game went
professional and Newcastle were releasing players, Northern
snapped them up and flirted briefly with the national leagues
but never achieved that step up, and the financial implications
of trying forced them to sell off more land. They currently ply
their trade at level 6 in the clubs pyramid, although they have
just concluded a highly successful season which included a club
record 17-match winning run, and they wait to hear whether
they will be promoted.
Had the merger talks succeeded in 1989 it is doubtful that
the Falcons would ever have come into being, as the site at
McCracken Park off the Great North Road would not have been
able to support a major stadium development. Indeed, its only
grandstand was eventually destroyed in a fire.
50

30 YEARS AGO – APRIL
27, 1994
NEWCASTLE GOSFORTH 14-8
TYNEDALE
By the time Newcastle Gosforth and Tynedale contested the
Northumberland Senior Cup final in 1994 they had already been
relegated from Division One, and so they had nothing to lose
by selecting a strong side to compete with Tynedale, who had
usurped Northern as Newcastle Gosforth’s main local rivals.
Newcastle drew level with a fortuitous try three minutes into
the second half. Winger David Casado made a break, threw a
dummy and then a pass to lock John Fowler, who promptly
dropped it, although this went unnoticed by the referee and
both touch judges. Fowler picked up the ball and passed to
Graham Clark, who initially spurned a two-on-one overlap with
Casado before finally releasing the ball for the winger to score
in the corner.
The match degenerated into something of a war of attrition
thereafter, with the remaining scores coming from Johnson
penalties. The teams that day were as follows:
The two sides had drawn the previous year’s final at Tynedale
6-6, and the cup had been shared after the players of both
teams over-ruled the County Committee and refused
to participate in a replay.
The 1994 final was played at Kingston
Park, but it lacked the passion of
the previous year’s full-throttle
encounter. Tynedale took the
lead after eight minutes
when scrum-half Ian
Donkin exploited some
weak defending to set
up a try for lock Steve
Dunn. David Johnson,
back at the club after
his two-year sojourn
at McCracken Park,
narrowed the deficit
with a penalty, but
Tynedale’s five-point
lead was restored with
a penalty from Michael
Old, whose father Alan
had been Newcastle’s
head coach for most
of that season.
David Johnson
Newcastle Gosforth: M.Tetlow; T.Penn; I.Chandler; R.Wilkinson;
D.Casado; D.Johnson (capt); M.Dungait; M.Fraser; A.Hetherington;
P.VanZandvliet; J.Fowler; G.Archer; M.Corry; N.Frankland; G.Clark
Tynedale: D.Stephenson; S.Ferguson; G.Fleming;
M.Old; A.Laidlaw; C.Leslie; I.Donkin; C.Chadwick
(rep.C.Dixon 63); E.Parker; P.Winter; S.Dunn;
S.Turnbull; P.Leonard; W.Robson; G.Yates
(capt)
This would prove to be
the last time Newcastle
Gosforth club won
the cup that they had
dominated for over
30 years, winning it in
1960, 1962, 1963, 1964,
1966, 1967, 1968, 1969,
1971, 1972, 1973, 1974,
1975, 1976, 1977, 1978,
1979, 1981, 1982, 1983,
1985, 1986, 1987, 1990,
1991, 1993 (shared)
and 1994. The following
season, with the semifinal
on the Wednesday
before a crucial league
match with Saracens,
the club fielded a
weakened team and
lost 18-0 to Morpeth.
They did not contest
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
51

25 YEARS AGO – APRIL 25,
1999
NEWCASTLE FALCONS 39-15
GLOUCESTER
After hitting the heights with their Premiership triumph 12
months earlier, the 1998-99 season proved something of an
anti-climax. Whilst results picked up a little following the failed
experiment of playing home matches at Gateshead Stadium,
consistency proved elusive and the side eventually finished
eighth in the league with 14 wins from 26 matches in a 14-team
league. In amongst the inconsistency were some impressive
results, including this convincing victory over Gloucester at
Kingston Park in what was the Falcons’ third match inside a
week.
Gloucester started the more lively and went ahead after three
minutes when centre Mike Davies took advantage of sluggish
defence to cross. The conversion from Simon Mannix gave the
visitors an early 7-0 lead. Newcastle butchered several goldplated
try-scoring opportunities but looked to have scored
when No.8 Ross Beattie went over, but referee Steve Lander
was unsighted and could not award the try. From the resulting
scrum Gloucester went offside and Newcastle decided to take
the points on offer through the boot of Jonny Wilkinson, who
added a second penalty four minutes later to narrow the gap
to a single point.
Mark Mapletoft, whose miscued drop out had set up the
opportunity for the Falcons, responded immediately with a
penalty after Richard Arnold was penalised for not releasing,
but the home side were now in full control. They brought on
fresh legs, and after Doddie Weir had secured lineout ball
replacement Peter Walton set up a try for Gary Armstrong,
and with Wilkinson’s conversion the Falcons looked to be out
of sight at 25-10.
Armstrong, who had scored a hat-trick in the midweek
thumping of Richmond, went over for his second try just four
minutes later - Wilkinson again converting. With the game
becoming fragmented through the number of replacements a
rare mistake in midfield from Wilkinson enabled Chris Catling
to kick ahead, and Beim beat the retreating defence to touch
down in the corner with six minutes plus injury time remaining.
The Falcons were not to be denied the final score as the match
entered added on time, and popular prop George Graham
crashed over for the fifth try, converted inevitably by Wilkinson.
The teams that day were as follows:
Newcastle Falcons: S.Legg; J.Naylor; M.Shaw: T.May (rep.
P.Massey 71); M.Wood; J.Wilkinson: G.Armstrong (capt);
G.Graham; R.Nesdale (rep. R.Horton 60); M.Hurter (rep. I.Peel
66); G.Archer; D.Weir (rep. H.Vyvyan 71); S.O’Neill (rep. P.Walton
41); R.Arnold; R.Beattie
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
The constant pressure from the Falcons was bound to tell
eventually, and after 28 minutes an intricate move involving
winger Michael Wood and Tom May, who was making his home
Premiership debut, the former went over for a try. Wilkinson
could not convert but the Falcons led 11-7 at the break.
Early in the second half it was Gloucester’s turn to butcher a
try-scoring opportunity when winger Tom Beim knocked on
with the line at his mercy. Newcastle took full advantage of this
let off when Gary Armstrong received a skewed 22 drop-out and
embarked on a cross-field run before feeding Stuart Legg, who
crossed for the try. Wilkinson converted and the lead was 18-7.
Gloucester: C.Catling; T.Beim; R.Tombs; M.Davies; R.Jewell;
S.Mannix (rep. M.Mapletoft 31); I.Sanders; T.Windo; C.Fortey;
P.Vickery; R.Ward (rep. A.Eustace); D.Sims (capt); S.Ojomoh;
N.Carter (re. A.Hazell); E.Peirce
The Falcons gained some consolation in a disappointing season
by reaching the Tetley Bitter Cup-Final, but even then they were
outplayed in losing 29-19 to Wasps.
52

ABOVE
Gary Armstrong
RIGHT
Stuart Legg
.
ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
53

FIXTURES AND RESULTS
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
SEPTEMBER
PRC Sat Sep 9 Ampthill W 17-40
PRC FRI SEP 15 BEDFORD BLUES W 26-16
PRC FRI SEP 22 SALE SHARKS W 23-10
PRC Sat Sep 30 Leicester Tigers L 60-7
OCTOBER
PRC SUN OCT 8 CALDY W 66-13
GP Sat Oct 14 Bath L 34-26
GP FRI OCT 20 GLOUCESTER (L 14-18)
GP SUN OCT 29 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (L 14-16)
NOVEMBER
MARCH
F FRI MAR 8 Sale Sharks (W 28-31)
GP Sat Mar 23 Exeter Chiefs (L 25-16)
GP FRI MAR 29 LEICESTER TIGERS (L 13-19)
APRIL
GP Sun Apr 21 Bristol Bears (L 85-14)
GP SUN APR 28 SALE SHARKS (3PM)
MAY
GP FRI MAY 10 BATH 7.45PM
GP Sat May 18 Gloucester 3.05pm
GP Sat Nov 4 Harlequins (L 40-12)
GP SUN NOV 12 SARACENS (L 50-12)
GP Fri Nov 17 Sale Sharks (L 40-22)
GP SUN NOV 26 EXETER CHIEFS (L 14-20)
DECEMBER
GP Sun Dec 3 Leicester Tigers (L 3-47)
ECC SUN DEC 10 MONTPELLIER (L 19-24)
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
54
ECC Sat Dec 16 Emirates Lions (L 35-13)
GP FRI DEC 22 BRISTOL BEARS (L 13-21)
GP Sat Dec 30 Saracens (L 19-37)
JANUARY
GP FRI JAN 5 HARLEQUINS (L 3-24)
ECC FRI JAN 12 BENETTON RUGBY (L 18-57)
ECC Sun Jan 21 Perpignan (W 23-32)
GP Sat Jan 27 Northampton Saints (L 38-13)
TICKETS:
0191 214 2800
KEY: GP = Gallagher Premiership, ECC = EPCR Challenge Cup, PRC = Premiership Rugby Cup, F = Friendly.
(Home games in capital letters)
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BY MARK SMITH - NEWCASTLE FALCONS MEDIA MANAGER
Almost 20 years ago to the day, Newcastle Falcons and Sale
Sharks met at Twickenham in front of 48,500 supporters to
contest one of the best cup finals English rugby has ever seen.
surroundings of our team hotel next to a roundabout in Slough,
but thankfully the squad decamped to stylish Kensington for
the post-match party.
We all probably have our own stories from April 17, 2004, when
the Falcons prevailed in a 37-33 thriller.
Current Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson started
in their back row. One of Newcastle’s try-scorers, Joe Shaw, is
now head coach of Premiership champions, Saracens. Another
Falcons scorer, Phil Dowson, is director of rugby at tabletopping
Northampton Saints, while current Falcons star Ben
Redshaw wasn’t even born!
From my own side, this was actually the first game I ever
worked for the Falcons, and I was only a loan signing at that
stage! I’d been working at Leicester Tigers and had already
accepted a summer move to the Falcons, but when they
qualified for the final they contacted Leicester to try and get
me out of the last month of my contract. A compromise was
reached and I was lent to Newcastle for cup final week, with
the victorious team bus stopping at M1 Junction 21 to drop me
off on their way back to Tyneside the morning after the final.
The game was a classic and I’ll never forget the lads parading
the trophy around Rugby HQ, with thousands of jubilant
Geordies belting out the Blaydon Races. The cup itself went
missing for a few moments in the mayhem, only to be found
under a pile of shirts in the changing room, and the post-match
press conference was fun in regaling tales of a phonecall from
then Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson, wishing the
lads well as they drove to the ground.
The night before the game had been spent in the unglamorous
As you can imagine there was an appropriate amount of revelry
from the squad and support staff, with BBC Newcastle commentator
Kevin Williams taking the sensible step of removing
the trophy from the function room to avoid a repeat of Dean
Richards’ Calcutta Cup escapades. The only problem was, he
hadn’t told anyone, so when a frantic search was launched to
find the Powergen Cup, it wasn’t until the next day when the
silverware re-appeared from the boot of his BBC Peugeot in
the Kingston Park stadium car park, ready to hand over to the
returning team bus.
The night had continued in great spirit, and memories include
Epi Taione fetching his guitar into the residents’ bar for a sing
song in the wee small hours. I’d nipped over to the 24-hour
newsagents to buy the early editions of the Sunday papers, the
majority of which had a photo of our waterboy Jonny Wilkinson
on the front page - the World Cup winner missing the game
through injury. I couldn’t help feeling that showed a certain
disrespect to our starting ten, Dave Walder, who had actually
masterminded the result, but such is the way with Fleet Street
picture editors.
On my way to breakfast the next morning I encountered a
Falcons player asleep in the hotel lift, wearing nothing but his
underwear and his cup final winner’s medal. He must have been
going up and down to all levels of the building for hours! But for
all of us the hangover was well worth it. Fantastic memories
from a great day.
FROM THE PRESS BOX - WITH MARK SMITH
57

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CLUB NEWS
CLUB NEWS
60
CAMERON NEILD
SIGNS UP
Sale Sharks flanker Cameron Neild is joining
Newcastle Falcons in the summer on a two-year
deal as the club continues to build for the
coming season.
The 29-year-old has played more
than 130 times for his home
town club during a career
which has also seen the
abrasive back-rower
featuring for Edinburgh,
Glasgow and Worcester
Warriors.
“Cam is a very good
Premiership operator
who has played
over a century
of games in the
competition,” said
consultant director of
rugby Steve Diamond, speaking about the 6
foot 1 forward who has represented England
at Under-20s, 18s and 16s levels.
“He brings a wealth of experience and he fits the
mould of the players we’re trying to bring in at the
moment.
JOIN THE
FOUNDATION
Are you ready to be part of a team that’s making a
real difference in our community?
Newcastle Rugby Foundation are offering two unique volunteer
roles – trustee, and marketing and commercial committee
member - where your passion and expertise can help drive
positive change.
. He has that hard edge about him, he’s not past his sell-by date
and he’s got that real work ethic which is a great fit as we look
to move this Newcastle Falcons squad forward.”
Relishing the prospect of his summer switch to the True
North, Neild said: “I respect Dimes highly as a coach and
have got a great relationship with him, so the fact that he is
in charge was a big draw for me.
“He’s a great man manager who is
brilliant at recruitment, and he
always improves teams
wherever he goes.
I know the
Falcons will be in a better position for having him
on board, and he’s someone who is very honest and
straight-up with you.
“I’m pretty similar in that regard, and I see it as
a good challenge to help Newcastle make some
progress. It’s been a tough season for them but I
want to be part of their improvement process, making
a positive contribution wherever I can.
“In terms of what I’ll hope to add – I’m an attritional player
who gets through a lot of the grunt work, and I pride myself
on the abrasive side of the game. I’m probably a bit rough
and ready, and I enjoy the physical aspects of rugby.”
As a trustee, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction
of our charity, influencing regional and national policy,
and contributing to our mission of using rugby as a force for
positive change. No trustee experience or formal qualifications
are necessary. We will provide training and support for
the right individuals who share our values and vision.
As a member of the marketing and commercial committee
you will support the development and execution of our
marketing strategy. This voluntary role is not a trustee position
but offers a valuable opportunity to contribute your skills and
expertise to a worthy cause.

Training and support provided for both roles, with a full recruitment
pack available via the club website.
Applications close on Wednesday May 15. For further
information please email
melanie.magee@newcastle-falcons.co.uk.
FALCONS SWOOP FOR
LUAN DE BRUIN
Newcastle Falcons have added ballast and experience
to their forward pack with the signing of Edinburgh prop
Luan de Bruin. The 31-year-old has played at both
loose-head and tight-head, and arrives in the
summer on a two-year deal.
Beginning his professional career in
his native South Africa, whom he
represented at Under-20s level,
the Pretoria-born scrummager
spent five seasons with the
Cheetahs, playing in Super
Rugby and the Pro 14.
Standing at 6 foot (1.83m)
and weighing 20 stone 3
(128kg), De Bruin moved
to Leicester Tigers in 2020,
playing 17 games in his single season
with the East Midlands outfit. From
there he earned a move to the
Scottish capital, spending the past three years with Edinburgh,
during which time he worked with Newcastle Falcons’
consultant director of rugby, Steve Diamond.
“I had Luan up at Edinburgh and he really impressed me during
that time,” said Diamond.
“We’re signing him predominantly as a loose-head, although
he does have the ability to play on the other side. He comes
with the right pedigree after playing at Leicester,
Edinburgh and the Cheetahs, and he does the basics
well. He’s got plenty of experience and he’s a great
fit for Micky Ward’s forward pack.
De Bruin said: “I’m very excited to be returning to
the Gallagher Premiership, and to be working
with Steve Diamond again. He’s a hard
man but he’s very fair, and that’s all
you can ask for.
“I really enjoyed my time
playing in the Premiership with
Leicester Tigers a few years
back, and I was always keen
to do it again if the opportunity
came up.
“I’ve played against Newcastle a couple
of times, and it’s always a tough battle. You
know you’re going to get a hard, physical
game, and you better be ready playing against
any Falcons side.”
RUGBY
BLACK LIST
Newcastle Falcons’ Academy will
be represented at the Rugby Black
list Awards by pathway coach Paul
Kasiera.
Paul has coached at
Falcons Developing
Player Programme
(DPP) sessions for
several years, with both of his sons having previously
participated in the Falcons’ DPP. His youngest son,
Myles, will join him at the event, which takes place at
Twickenham Stadium on April 30.
Paul attended the first ever Rugby Black List Awards
at the House of Lords last year, with the Rugby Black
List celebrating the outstanding achievements and
contributions of black individuals in rugby union at all
levels.
The Rugby Black List recognises excellence on and off the
pitch, spotlighting role models and leaders who inspire
the current and future generations within the rugby
community.

IN OPPOSITION
Sale Sharks
NICKNAME
Sharks
FOUNDED
1861
HOME GROUND
Salford Community Stadium
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY
Alex Sanderson
CAPTAIN
Ben Curry
Sale Sharks came into this weekend’s round of matches
placed sixth in the Gallagher Premiership standings following
last Sunday’s 37-31 home win against Harlequins.
Newcastle and northern rivals Sale have already met three
times this season, with the Falcons winning two and taking a
four-try bonus point from the other.
The Tynesiders enjoyed a 23-10 Premiership Rugby Cup victory
at Kingston Park with the help of a sensational solo try from
Adam Radwan, and the Gallagher Premiership meeting in
Salford in November saw the Falcons scoring four tries in a
40-22 loss which was right in the balance until the last few
minutes.
An early-March ‘friendly’ at Sale saw Newcastle edging a
31-28 thriller in Steve Diamond’s first game in charge, with the
Falcons’ consultant director of rugby a long-time player, coach
and even CEO of the North-West outfit.
Current director of rugby Alex Sanderson steered the Sharks
into last season’s Premiership final, with his summer transfer
dealings seeing a relatively low-key influx.
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie arrived from Exeter Chiefs,
with fellow No.2 and Argentina legend Agustin Creevy also
signing up. Ernst van Rhyn added back-row ballast after landing
from the Stormers in South Africa, and ex-Leicester full-back
Telusa Veainu joined from Stade Francais.
Departures included Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman
(Edinburgh), front-rowers Akker van der Merwe (Bulls) and
Coenie Oosthuizen (Sharks) and fly-half Kieran Wilkinson, while
a host of retirements saw Will Cliff, Byron McGuigan, Jono Ross,
Ryan Mills and Dom Barrow among those calling time on their

LEFT
WING
TOM ROEBUCK
The European break saw their Champions Cup campaign
beginning in style as they hammered Stade Francais 28-5
at home, but it was to be their last game in the competition
as they lost away to Leinster (37-27), away to the Stormers
(31-24) and at home to La Rochelle (24-37), dropping down to
the Challenge Cup round of 16 where they were defeated 23-15
at Ospreys.
Sale’s last two Premiership games of the calendar year brought
contrasting results when they ground out a 22-20 home win
over Saracens in a repeat of the previous season’s final, but
were beaten 21-17 away by Northampton Saints.
2024 has seen comparatively slim pickings for Sanderson’s
charges, with a 32-20 reverse at Gloucester kicking off the
new year.
That was followed by their friendly loss to Newcastle and a 42-
24 defeat at Bath at the end of the Six Nations hiatus, although
an emphatic 41-5 home victory over Exeter Chiefs did at least
lay to rest the ghosts of their early-season drubbing in Devon.
Their last assignment at home to Harlequins a week ago
brought a 37-31 win, with the tight nature of the Gallagher
Premiership table meaning every point counts in their quest for
Champions Cup rugby and beyond.
careers.
LEFT
CENTRE
MANU TUILAGI
BELOW
LOCK
JOSH BEAUMONT
The Premiership Rugby Cup campaign saw Sale bowing out at
the group stage after losses at Newcastle and Leicester Tigers,
although there were victories over Championship sides Caldy,
Ampthill and Bedford.
They got off to a flyer in the Gallagher Premiership, however,
winning five of their first six games - a run which began with a
20-15 home triumph over now-high-flying Northampton Saints.
A 24-17 away win at Leicester reinforced their credentials
as a serious challenger, and even a 43-0 thumping at Exeter
did not knock them off their stride as they bounced back by
beating Gloucester at home (24-10), Bristol Bears away (13-27),
Newcastle at home (40-22) and Bath at home (11-9).
IN OPPOSITION - SALE SHARKS
65

ROB DU PREEZ
fly-half
THREE TO
WATCH
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY
ALEX SANDERSON
The former back-rower is in his third full season as Sharks boss after
rejoining Sale from Saracens in January 2021.
A former Shark in his playing days, the Chester-born forward was
capped five times by England before being forced to retire through
injury, having moved to Saracens.
Sanderson slipped into Sarries’ coaching set-up and was a key member
on their staff during their plethora of domestic and European titles
before they were relegated for salary cap breaches.
His time at Sale has included taking them to the 2023 Gallagher
Premiership final, and he remains a firm advocate of northern rugby.
Rob is the eldest of the three Du Preez brothers at Sale
Sharks, with a proven ability to play at both centre and
fly-half.
Also an adept goal-kicker, he is the son of former Springbok
Robert du Preez Senior, who was his coach at the Sharks for
part of his time in his native South Africa.
Beginning his career in Cape Town with Western Province and
the Stormers, Du Preez moved to Durban to represent the
Sharks, joining their namesakes Sale in 2019.
Earning a single international cap for the Springboks, he has
made more than a century of appearances for Sale, performing
to a consistently high level.

GUS WARR
scrum-half
BEVAN RODD
loose-head
The 24-year-old scrum-half has become a mainstay of the
Sharks side after coming through the club’s academy.
Affiliated with Sale since the age of 14, Warr played his junior
rugby with Winnington Park RFC and Bowdon RFC, but represented
Scotland at Under-18s, 19s and 20s level.
Switching to England for his representative Under-20s rugby,
Warr made his Premiership debut for Sale as an 18-year-old
and gradually established himself as a regular starter, including
wearing the No.9 shirt for last year’s Gallagher Premiership
final.
At the age of only 23 Bevan Rodd is already closing in on a
century of appearances for Sale Sharks, and has been capped
six times by England.
The six-foot-tall loose-head was born in Scotland and
schooled on the Isle of Man, earning a place at Sedbergh
School and helping them to the national schools titlein 2017.
Capped by England at Under-16s,18s and 20s levels before
graduating to the full national side, the understated Rodd is
known for his work rate and set-piece solidity.
IN OPPOSITION - SALE SHARKS
69

NEWCASTLE FALCONS
2023-24 HOSPITALITY
PACKAGES
Discover
We have several great packages available including
everything from a full five course meal or a cook to
order pod to delicious street food there’s something
for everyone to enjoy at our match days with pricing
starting from £65 plus VAT per adult and £35 plus VAT per
U18. Scan the QR or visit www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/
tickets-and-hospitality/hospitality to find out more.
All our hospitality bookings are handled by our commercial
team. To book or request additional details please contact
the team by emailing
corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk
or call them on 0191 214 2892.
SCAN TO FIND OUT MORE

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LONGSCAR MARINE CONSULTANTS | IAIN VARAH

TROPHY
TIME
It’s that time of the year again when clubs’ league positions
have been decided and the pain of relegation, the euphoria
of promotion or the quiet satisfaction of cementing a place
have been secured.
Attention therefore turns to the icing on the cake, or a
consolation prize - the County Cups and the annual search for
silverware.
The Joint Welfare ground at Ashington hosted the Second Team
County Cup final between Ashington and Morpeth Reivers on
the evening of Wednesday April 17.
Congratulations go to the Reivers for taking the honours in an
exciting and close game of rugby against a good Ashington
team, sealing victory on the very last play in front of a big
crowd by a margin of 21 -17.
The previous Saturday in the Senior Plate final, a strong Alnwick
team dispatched Northern 31- 8.
And in the No.4 and 5 Cups Competition, which are now
competed for by Vets teams, the No.4 Cup was won by Morpeth
Ranters and the No.5 Cup by a joint Ponteland/North Shields
team in a round robin tournament.
The Northumberland 3rd Team Plate final played at Northern,
between Novos 3s and North Shields Crusaders, was won in a
match of tight margins by Novos, 29- 26.
It was notable for having Peter Joyner (pictured), who already
had a cup final win in the Vets series, cutting short his holiday
in Italy and driving back over 20 hours to the North East to
answer the call to play.
Unfortunately, such dedication wasn’t rewarded with another
trophy, but we raise a glass to you, Peter!
Details of all the other Northumberland Cup games can be
found on Northumberland RFU website.
UPCOMING COUNTY
MATCHES
The county season traditionally gathers momentum at
this time of year, and we would ask you to support all our
representative players by coming along to cheer on the green,
gold and red of Northumberland.
Entry to all Northumberland’s home games is free of charge,
although we do ask you to buy a programme if you can.
Northumberland RFU is the smallest county in the country in
terms of number of clubs, and therefore the depth of player
pool to select from, but has always punched above its weight
judged by the success it has enjoyed on the field of play.
Below is a list of home games which we ask you to support.
Sat May 11: Men v Cheshire (home)
Sun May 12: Women v Cheshire (home)
Sun May 12: U17s Boys (opposition tbc)
Sat May 25: Men v Staffordshire (home)
Sun May 26: U17s Boys v Durham (home)
For kick-off times and venues, please visit
northumberlandrugbyunion.com.
NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION
73

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• Men’s health – bladder and prostate
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To find out more call 0808 149 3239
or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/newcastle-upon-tyne

SUSTAINABILITY AT NEWCASTLE RUGBY LIMITED:
Championing the Future of Sport and the Planet
At Newcastle Rugby Limited, we are committed to driving sustainability in the world of
sports and entertainment. Our vision extends beyond the thrill of the game, focusing
on the long-term well-being of our planet, our community, and future generations.
Here are our key messages on sustainability:
1. Greening the Game:
We are actively reducing our carbon footprint through energy-efficient
technologies and renewable energy sources. From LED floodlighting to future
planning for solar panels, we’re dedicated to minimising our impact on the
environment.
2. Waste Reduction:
We’re tackling waste head-on by implementing recycling programs, reducing
single-use plastics, and encouraging fans to join us on our journey. Together,
we aim to create a cleaner, greener stadium experience.
3. Food Waste:
We have reduced our food waste and all our products are UK sourced.
Ultimately, locally sourced food products policy reflects a commitment to
fostering local economies, reducing environmental impact, and providing
consumers with fresh and high-quality food options. It can also be tailored
to the specific goals and circumstances of the organisation or community
implementing it.
4. Biodiversity and Green Spaces:
Our stadium isn’t just a venue; it’s a hub for nature. We’re nurturing green
spaces around the stadium, creating habitats for local wildlife, and enhancing
the overall quality of life in our neighbourhood.
5. Inclusivity and Accessibility:
We’re ensuring everyone can enjoy the excitement of our games by prioritising
accessibility and inclusivity in our stadium design. From accessible seating to
quiet break out spaces, we’re fostering an inclusive fan experience.
6. Future-Proofing Sport
Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s the future of sports and entertainment.
By adopting eco-friendly practices, we’re safeguarding the longevity of our
stadium and the sports we all love.
7. Inspiring Change:
Our Stadium is more than a venue; it’s a platform for positive change. We’re
committed to inspiring fans, partners, and the sports industry to embrace
sustainability and make a lasting impact.
Join us on this exciting journey towards a more sustainable future. Together, we can
make every game a win for both our teams and the planet. Newcastle Rugby Limited:
Where Passion Meets Sustainability.

CLUB NEWS
GLOUCESTER AWAY
TRAVEL
Newcastle Falcons’ Supporters’ Club are running return
coach travel to the final game of the season at Gloucester on
Saturday May 18.
The Gallagher Premiership clash is a 3.05pm kick-off at
Kingsholm.
Return coach travel is priced at £40 for adults and £20 for
juniors if you are members of the Supporters’ Club. For nonmembers
the prices are £45 for adults and £22.50 for juniors.
These prices do not include match tickets, which can be
bought direct via Gloucester Rugby.
There is a membership offer in place, meaning any new
members joining the Supporters Club now will have their
membership carried over for next season.
Departure and pick-up times are as follows.
7am: Kingston Park
7.20am: Washington Services
8am: Scotch Corner
5.50pm: Depart Kingsholm
To book your place on the coach please email
keithevans2105@gmail.com or call Keith on 07812 975 220.
Payment can be made by bank transfer (Newcastle Falcons
Supporters Club: sort code 20-59-61, account number
13503976), or, by agreement, paying Keith on the coach.
For more information on the Supporters’ Club, visit
newcastlefsc.co.uk.
CLUB NEWS
78
RAFFLE
WINNER
The winner of the Supporters’ Club monthly draw for March
was Jean Thornton, who wins a pin badge and some Falconsbranded
cards. Supporters’ Club members are automatically
entered into the draw, and the winners will be contacted each
month.
PRE-MATCH
GET-TOGETHER
Newcastle Falcons’ Supporters’ Club are hosting a get-together
on the West Stand Concourse before today’s game. The regular
gatherings will be a feature of home match days, so if you
are a member of the Supporters’ Club or just wanting some
information about the Club, drop by and say hello.

QUIZ
Test your knowledge on all
things rugby with our ten-question
teaser. Answers are upside
down at the bottom of the page.
Q1 Which Newcastle Falcons player
scored a try during the Falcons’
Premiership Rugby Cup win over Sale
Sharks in September?
Q2 Which city will host this season’s
Investec Champions Cup final?
Q6 Which North East rugby club plays its
home games at Acklam Park?
Q7 Which two Premiership clubs did
England head coach Steve Borthwick used
to play for?
Q8 Which Newcastle Falcons player is
pictured here?
Q3 Name this former Newcastle Falcons
and Sale Sharks player?
Q4 In what year did Newcastle Falcons
beat Sale Sharks in the Powergen Cup
final?
Q5 Toshiba Brave Lupus and Canon
Eagles are top club teams in which
country?
Q9 ‘Instead Moved’ is an anagram of
which Newcastle Falcons coach’s name?
Q10 After the Sale Sharks game, who
is Newcastle Falcons’ next home game
against?
QUIZ
80
ANSWERS: 1 Adam Radwan, 2 London, 3 Epi Taione, 4 2004, 5 Japan, 6 Middlesbrough, 7 Saracens and Bath, 8 Ben
Redshaw, 9 Steve Diamond, 10 Bath.

Photo from The Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2023
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