Newcastle Falcons
Encyclopedia
The Newcastle Falcons is an English
rugby union
team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park
stadium in Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
. At the start of the professional era the club adopted its current name of Newcastle Falcons.
The Falcons have been the biggest and most successful club in northern England, with one Premiership and four domestic cups to their name. They also boast a number of home-grown former players such as World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson
.
came from one of the suburbs of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1955, the club moved to a new ground at North Road which was to be its home until 1990. During that time and particularly in the late 1970s Gosforth enjoyed tremendous success both on and off the field winning the John Player Cup in seasons 1975/76 and 76/77.
Gosforth supplied innumerable players to all counties over the years, to the North of England sides and to the full international and British Lions teams. These include Arthur Smith
, Ray McLoughlin
, Malcolm Young, Roger Uttley
, Peter Dixon
, Duncan Madsen, Dave Robinson, Richard Breakey, Jim Pollock and Colin White.
In 1990 the club name was changed to Newcastle Gosforth and they moved to Kingston Park. Gosforth Rugby Football Club
continued as an amateur side working in partnership with Northumbria University
. They currently play at the training ground of the Newcastle Falcons, Druid Park
.
For the 1996/7 season the new name of Newcastle Falcons and the current black-and-white colours were adopted, after local businessman Sir John Hall
had taken control and attempted to create a sporting club in Newcastle that would emulate the success of the Barcelona
model. The four teams that made up the sporting club were the football team, nicknamed the Magpies
, the Newcastle Eagles
basketball
team, the Newcastle Wasps (later Riverkings, Jokers, Vipers) ice hockey team and the Newcastle Falcons rugby union team.
Newcastle was the first fully "professional" club in the world. In 1995, Sir John Hall installed former Wasps’ captain, Rob Andrew, as his salaried Director of Rugby and saw the club earn promotion from the national Second Division to the Premiership. The following season, Newcastle became English champions at their first attempt. The following season Newcastle didn't play in Europe as English teams did not take part but they did go onto the Tetley's Bitter Cup final against Wasps which they lost 29-19.
Hall sold the Falcons for a 'nominal' sum in 1999 to current owner Dave Thompson and since then Newcastle have won two Powergen Cups
: in 2001 the Falcons beat Harlequins F.C. 30-27; and 2004 the Falcons beat 37-33 against Sale Sharks
. The following season the Falcons recorded their best ever Heineken Cup
performance by winning their pool and progressing to a quarter-final
tie against Stade Francais in the Parc des Princes
.
In August 2005 Falcons toured Japan pre-season. They beat NEC Green Rockets
easily but lost to a fired-up Toyota Verblitz
.
In August 2006 Rob Andrew
left the Falcons to be in overall charge of the England set-up ahead of the 2007 World Cup in a wide-ranging role that encompasses all aspects of the professional representative game in England. John Fletcher succeeded Rob Andrew as director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons with immediate effect. Fletcher, a former England A centre, had been the club's academy boss and he headed up a team of Peter Walton, Steve Black and Bob Morton, with ex-Falcons prop Ian Peel taking over as acting academy manager.
took over as interim Director of Rugby until the summer of 2008 when the post was reviewed. Dave Thompson stated that nine years of underachievement were the reason for the departure of John Fletcher and Peter Walton.
Having said this, Bates guided the Falcons to a record-equalling run of seven consecutive Premiership defeats by April 2008 with home games against Leicester Tigers and London Wasps plus a season-concluding away trip to Worcester Warriors yet to come. Defeat in the ECC semi-final against Worcester Warriors on 25 April 2008 may well have sounded the death knell for Steve Bates' tenure as interim DoR. However, on Tuesday 20 May 2008 Steve Bates
was confirmed as Newcastle's Director of Rugby on a full-time basis.
. Furthermore, he said the speculation had led to instability in the club which was unsettling players and fans alike. On the pitch the Falcons reached another European Challenge Cup
Quarter-Final going down to Saracens
away from home and finished 10th in the Premiership.
.
The decision came after Newcastle went on an unbeaten run to quash any doubts of relegation largely due to an inspirational Carl Hayman
. But a crushing home European Challenge Cup
Quarter Final defeat by Cardiff Blues
signaled the end of the Bates era.
- the clubs main sponsor. After months of speculation, it was announced that local businessman Semore Kurdi had purchased a 40% stake in the club in September 2010, easing the clubs financial difficulties. On the pitch in Alan Tait's first season the Falcons reached the Anglo-Welsh Cup final, losing to Gloucester 34-7. Despite this relative success the Falcons finished their worst ever Premiership season with just 23 points (4 wins), only escaping relegation thanks to the inferior points difference of Leeds Carnegie.
are the current strip providers. Previously, in the 2007/2008 season the Falcons were the only club in the UK to wear a kit designed by Nike
, prior to this the strip providers were KooGa
. During the years known as Gosforth the team played in green and white hoops.
Taiasina Tuifua Allister Hogg
Euan Murray
Suka Hufanga
Tynedale
) Will Chudley (from Bedford Blues
) Dan Frazier
(from Doncaster Knights
) Jordi Pasqualin
(from Gloucester) Joe Robinson (from Tynedale
) Rikki Sheriffe
Richard Mayhew (from Esher
) Ryan Shortland
(from
Otago
) Jamie Helleur
(from Auckland
) Taiasina Tu'ifua (from Counties Manukau
) Adriaan Fondse
(from
Western Province
) Greg Goosen (from
La Rochelle
) Ashley Wells (from Griquas
) Suka Hufanga
(from Malemort)
(to Sale Sharks
) Kieran Brookes
(to Leicester Tigers
) Hall Charlton
(to Blaydon
, Player-coach) Alex Gray
(to London Irish
) Rob Vickerman
(to England Sevens
) Micky Ward (to Blaydon
, DOR-coach and Falcons scrum coach) Danny Williams (to Salford City Reds
) Ed Williamson - Retiring Micky Young
(to Leicester Tigers
) Tim Ryan
(to
Cavalieri Prato
) Tane Tu'ipulotu
(to
Yamaha Júbilo
) Brent Wilson
(to North Harbour
) Filipo Levi
(to Tasman
) Andrew Henderson (to
GHA
) Gcobani Bobo
Josh Afu (to Carcassonne
) Glen Townson (to Bristol Rugby
) (Loan)
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park
Kingston Park (stadium)
Kingston Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is used mostly for rugby union matches and is the home stadium of Newcastle Falcons. The stadium is also used for the Newcastle United Reserves to play their home matches...
stadium in Kingston Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. At the start of the professional era the club adopted its current name of Newcastle Falcons.
The Falcons have been the biggest and most successful club in northern England, with one Premiership and four domestic cups to their name. They also boast a number of home-grown former players such as World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson
Jonny Wilkinson
Jonathan Peter "Jonny" Wilkinson OBE is an English rugby union player and member of the England national team. Wilkinson rose to acclaim from 2001 to 2003, before and during the 2003 Rugby World Cup and was acknowledged as one of the world’s best rugby players...
.
History
The original Gosforth Football Club was founded in 1877 by a group of Old Boys of Durham School, in whose colours of green and white hoops the club played until the mid-1990s. The name GosforthGosforth
Gosforth is an area of Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom, to the north of the city centre. Gosforth constituted an urban district from 1895 to 1974, when it became part of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. It has a population of 23,620...
came from one of the suburbs of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1955, the club moved to a new ground at North Road which was to be its home until 1990. During that time and particularly in the late 1970s Gosforth enjoyed tremendous success both on and off the field winning the John Player Cup in seasons 1975/76 and 76/77.
Gosforth supplied innumerable players to all counties over the years, to the North of England sides and to the full international and British Lions teams. These include Arthur Smith
Arthur Smith (rugby player)
Arthur Robert Smith was a wing of extraordinary ability and intelligence. He captained both Scotland and the British Lions. He won 33 caps for Scotland and was never dropped until his retirement in 1962, although he did miss the odd match due to injury...
, Ray McLoughlin
Ray McLoughlin
Raymond John "Ray" McLoughlin is a former Ireland international rugby union prop. McLoughlin had a long and successful career playing for several clubs at club level, and played for Connacht at province level...
, Malcolm Young, Roger Uttley
Roger Uttley
Roger Miles Uttley OBE MA is a former English rugby union player.- Career :He played 23 games for England both in the second row and the back row, 5 times as captain, 4 tests in the Lions back row on the undefeated 1974 tour to South Africa.Roger was born in Blackpool, and played first for...
, Peter Dixon
Peter Dixon
Peter John Dixon is a former England international rugby union player. He toured New Zealand in 1971 with the British and Irish Lions and at the time played club rugby for Harlequins. He played for Oxford University RFC in four consecutive Varsity Matches from 1967 to 1970...
, Duncan Madsen, Dave Robinson, Richard Breakey, Jim Pollock and Colin White.
In 1990 the club name was changed to Newcastle Gosforth and they moved to Kingston Park. Gosforth Rugby Football Club
Gosforth Rugby Football Club
The Gosforth Rugby Football Club is a rugby union team, currently playing in the Durham & Northumberland Division 1. The club was established in 1877 and they play at Druid Park stadium in Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne...
continued as an amateur side working in partnership with Northumbria University
Northumbria University
Northumbria University is an academic institution located in Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England. It is a member of the University Alliance.- History :...
. They currently play at the training ground of the Newcastle Falcons, Druid Park
Druid Park
Druid Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Woolsington, north of Newcastle upon Tyne in England. It is currently used mostly for rugby union matches and is the home stadium of Gosforth RFC.- The ground :...
.
For the 1996/7 season the new name of Newcastle Falcons and the current black-and-white colours were adopted, after local businessman Sir John Hall
John Hall (businessman)
Sir John Hall is a property developer in North East England. He is also life president and former chairman of Newcastle United.-Biography:...
had taken control and attempted to create a sporting club in Newcastle that would emulate the success of the Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
model. The four teams that made up the sporting club were the football team, nicknamed the Magpies
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
, the Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team, the Newcastle Wasps (later Riverkings, Jokers, Vipers) ice hockey team and the Newcastle Falcons rugby union team.
Newcastle was the first fully "professional" club in the world. In 1995, Sir John Hall installed former Wasps’ captain, Rob Andrew, as his salaried Director of Rugby and saw the club earn promotion from the national Second Division to the Premiership. The following season, Newcastle became English champions at their first attempt. The following season Newcastle didn't play in Europe as English teams did not take part but they did go onto the Tetley's Bitter Cup final against Wasps which they lost 29-19.
Hall sold the Falcons for a 'nominal' sum in 1999 to current owner Dave Thompson and since then Newcastle have won two Powergen Cups
EDF Energy Cup
The Anglo-Welsh Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the LV Cup , is an English and Welsh rugby union knock-out cup competition featuring the twelve Aviva Premiership clubs and four Welsh Regions...
: in 2001 the Falcons beat Harlequins F.C. 30-27; and 2004 the Falcons beat 37-33 against Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
. The following season the Falcons recorded their best ever Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
performance by winning their pool and progressing to a quarter-final
tie against Stade Francais in the Parc des Princes
Parc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed...
.
In August 2005 Falcons toured Japan pre-season. They beat NEC Green Rockets
NEC Green Rockets
NEC Green Rockets is a Japanese rugby union team in the Top League. The team's captain is . The previous captain was Takuro Miuchi, who is currently the captain of the Japan national rugby union team. Before the semi-professional Top League was created, the team was just known as "NEC"...
easily but lost to a fired-up Toyota Verblitz
Toyota Verblitz
Toyota Verblitz is a Japanese rugby union team in the Top League. Verblitz is a conflation of verde and blitz . The team is owned by Toyota Jidosha and is separate from, and not to be confused with, the Toyota Industries Shuttles rugby team, owned by Toyota Industries...
.
In August 2006 Rob Andrew
Rob Andrew
Christopher Robert "Rob" Andrew MBE , nicknamed "Squeaky", is a former English rugby union footballer and currently Director of Operations at the RFU. He was formerly the Director of Rugby of Newcastle Falcons. As a player, Andrew was assured in his kicking and defensive skills off both feet...
left the Falcons to be in overall charge of the England set-up ahead of the 2007 World Cup in a wide-ranging role that encompasses all aspects of the professional representative game in England. John Fletcher succeeded Rob Andrew as director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons with immediate effect. Fletcher, a former England A centre, had been the club's academy boss and he headed up a team of Peter Walton, Steve Black and Bob Morton, with ex-Falcons prop Ian Peel taking over as acting academy manager.
2007–08 season
On 11 March 2008, Fletcher and Walton left the club, officially by mutual consent, following Black who had left a couple of months earlier. Steve BatesSteve Bates
Steve Bates is a former English rugby union player and current rugby coach. He played at scrum-half for London Wasps, where he formed a successful partnership with fly-half Rob Andrew...
took over as interim Director of Rugby until the summer of 2008 when the post was reviewed. Dave Thompson stated that nine years of underachievement were the reason for the departure of John Fletcher and Peter Walton.
Having said this, Bates guided the Falcons to a record-equalling run of seven consecutive Premiership defeats by April 2008 with home games against Leicester Tigers and London Wasps plus a season-concluding away trip to Worcester Warriors yet to come. Defeat in the ECC semi-final against Worcester Warriors on 25 April 2008 may well have sounded the death knell for Steve Bates' tenure as interim DoR. However, on Tuesday 20 May 2008 Steve Bates
Steve Bates
Steve Bates is a former English rugby union player and current rugby coach. He played at scrum-half for London Wasps, where he formed a successful partnership with fly-half Rob Andrew...
was confirmed as Newcastle's Director of Rugby on a full-time basis.
2008–09 season
In November 2008 Chairman Dave Thompson put an end to speculation of a takeover of the club after rejecting 3 bids. He held talks with a number of different consortia and reportedly turned down one offer of a full take over as the bidding consortium wanted to relocate the club to DarlingtonDarlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
. Furthermore, he said the speculation had led to instability in the club which was unsettling players and fans alike. On the pitch the Falcons reached another European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
Quarter-Final going down to Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
away from home and finished 10th in the Premiership.
2009–10 season
After a disappointing season the pressure mounted on Steve Bates and on 4 May 2010, the club announced that Bates' contract had been terminated and he was being replaced by first team coach Alan TaitAlan Tait
Alan V. Tait is a Scottish rugby footballer and coach. He is currently head coach at Newcastle Falcons and a former rugby league and rugby union footballer who played outside centre for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions...
.
The decision came after Newcastle went on an unbeaten run to quash any doubts of relegation largely due to an inspirational Carl Hayman
Carl Hayman
Carl Hayman is an international rugby union footballer who has played at tighthead prop for Otago at provincial level, the Highlanders in the Super 14 and the All Blacks at international level...
. But a crushing home European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
Quarter Final defeat by Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the team have played at Cardiff City Stadium since the start of the 2009/2010 season and are owned by Cardiff Rugby Football Club....
signaled the end of the Bates era.
2010–11 season
Towards the end of the previous season Chairman Dave Thompson had to seek investment for the club due to increasing debts after the Nationalisation of Northern RockNationalisation of Northern Rock
In 2008 the Northern Rock bank was nationalised by the British Government, due to financial problems caused by the subprime mortgage crisis...
- the clubs main sponsor. After months of speculation, it was announced that local businessman Semore Kurdi had purchased a 40% stake in the club in September 2010, easing the clubs financial difficulties. On the pitch in Alan Tait's first season the Falcons reached the Anglo-Welsh Cup final, losing to Gloucester 34-7. Despite this relative success the Falcons finished their worst ever Premiership season with just 23 points (4 wins), only escaping relegation thanks to the inferior points difference of Leeds Carnegie.
Stadium
Newcastle Falcons play at Kingston Park which holds 10,200. Kingston Park is the second smallest stadium in the Aviva Premiership even so the attendance has been in steady decline in recent years with an average crowd of 4,500. This is mainly due to the fact the Falcons have been fighting relegation and have sold many of their main stars, at the teams peak, the ground attracted sell outs frequently. Traditionally the South Stand is where the loudest fans stand and sing. The stadium has three modern stands - 1 open air standing, 1 enclosed standing and a main stand which is all-seater - but kept the original Gosforth stand with the green and white seating (Gosforth colours).Kits
The team wears a black strip with a grey lining for home games and from the 2011-2012 season will wear a light blue strip for away games. Cotton TradersCotton Traders
Cotton Traders is a British clothing company, specialising in rugby apparel and leisurewear, based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. It was founded in 1987 by former England national rugby union team captains Fran Cotton and Steve Smith....
are the current strip providers. Previously, in the 2007/2008 season the Falcons were the only club in the UK to wear a kit designed by Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, prior to this the strip providers were KooGa
KooGa
KooGa is an Australia-based rugby apparel company. It was established in December 1999. The company is headquartered in Labrador on the Gold Coast of Queensland, with other Australian offices as well as a UK office in Rochdale, Greater Manchester....
. During the years known as Gosforth the team played in green and white hoops.
Historic League Positions
| Season | Final Position | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–1998 – Allied Dunbar Premiership | 1st | 38 |
| 1998–1999 – Allied Dunbar Premiership | 8th | 28 |
| 1999–2000 – Allied Dunbar Premiership | 9th | 20 |
| 2000–2001 – Zurich Premiership | 6th | 57 |
| 2001–2002 – Zurich Premiership | 6th | 56 |
| 2002–2003 – Zurich Premiership | 10th | 40 |
| 2003–2004 – Zurich Premiership | 10th | 40 |
| 2004–2005 – Zurich Premiership | 7th | 47 |
| 2005–2006 – Guinness Premiership | 7th | 47 |
| 2006–2007 – Guinness Premiership | 9th | 44 |
| 2007–2008 – Guinness Premiership | 11th | 37 |
| 2008–2009 – Guinness Premiership | 10th | 44 |
| 2009–2010 – Guinness Premiership | 9th | 37 |
| 2010–2011 – Aviva Premiership | 11th | 23 |
Club honours
- PremiershipGuinness PremiershipThe English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
(1): 1997–98 - Division Two (1): 1992–93
- National Cup (4): 1976, 1977, 2001, 2004
- Middlesex 7sMiddlesex 7sThe Middlesex Sevens is a rugby union sevens tournament held annually at Twickenham stadium in London, England. It was first held in 1926, and started by Dr J.A. Russell-Cargill, a London based Scot...
(1): 2007 - Premiership Rugby Sevens SeriesPremiership Rugby Sevens SeriesThe Premiership Rugby Sevens Series is a Rugby Sevens competition fot the 12 Aviva Premiership Clubs that will play the following season...
(1): 2011 - Heineken CupHeineken CupThe Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
: Quarter-Final Stage - European Challenge CupEuropean Challenge CupThe European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
: Final
Records
- Record Win: 156 – 5 vs Rugby Lions (Courage League 1996)
- Record Loss: 10 – 83 vs Leicester Tigers (2005)
- Best League Position: 1st (1997–1998)
- Worst League Position: 11th (2007–2008, 2010-2011)
- Most Premiership Appearances: Tom May - 193
- Top Premiership Try Scorer: Tom May - 47
- Top Premiership Points Scorer: Jonny WilkinsonJonny WilkinsonJonathan Peter "Jonny" Wilkinson OBE is an English rugby union player and member of the England national team. Wilkinson rose to acclaim from 2001 to 2003, before and during the 2003 Rugby World Cup and was acknowledged as one of the world’s best rugby players...
- 1489
Current squad 2011/2012
Internationally Capped Players
Jamie HelleurJamie Helleur
Jamie Helleur is a rugby union player currently playing for the Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a centre and represents Samoa internationally.-Playing Career:...
Taiasina Tuifua Allister Hogg
Allister Hogg
Allister Hogg is a Scottish Rugby Union player who plays rugby union at either flanker or number eight for Newcastle Falcons and formely for Scotland.-Career:...
Euan Murray
Euan Murray
Euan Murray is a Scottish rugby union footballer, formerly playing for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership competition before joining Newcastle Falcons. He has also played for the Scotland national team. He was a part of their 2007 Six Nations squad, and scored a try in their final game...
Suka Hufanga
Suka Hufanga
Sukanaivalu Ivakuva Hufanga, known as Suka Hufanga , is a Tongan rugby union footballer. He plays as a centre....
Players In
Richard Boyle (from TynedaleTynedale R.F.C.
Tynedale R.F.C. is a rugby union team that is situated in the North East of England and currently playing in National League 1. It was founded in 1876. Their first match was against Elswick at Hexham on 30 December 1876...
) Will Chudley (from
Bedford BluesBedford Blues
Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The...
) Dan Frazier
Dan Frazier
Dan Frazier is a rugby union player for Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership, previously having been at Harlequins and the Doncaster Knights...
(from
Doncaster KnightsDoncaster R.F.C.
Doncaster Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing the town of Doncaster. The first XV are known as the Doncaster Knights, and play in the RFU Championship...
) Jordi Pasqualin
Jordi Pasqualin
Jordi Pasqualin is a rugby union footballer, currently playing in the Aviva Premiership for Newcastle Falcons after signing from Gloucester in the Summer of 2011...
(from
Gloucester) Joe Robinson (from TynedaleTynedale R.F.C.
Tynedale R.F.C. is a rugby union team that is situated in the North East of England and currently playing in National League 1. It was founded in 1876. Their first match was against Elswick at Hexham on 30 December 1876...
) Rikki Sheriffe
Rikki Sheriffe
Rikki Sheriffe is an English rugby union player for Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. He previously played in rugby league....
Richard Mayhew (from
EsherEsher RFC
Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club....
) Ryan Shortland
Ryan Shortland
Ryan Shortland is a rugby union player who currently plays for the Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. Before switching to union, he previously played rugby league in the NRL.-Rugby league:...
(from
OtagoOtago Rugby Football Union
The Otago Rugby Football Union is the official governing body of rugby union for the Otago Region of New Zealand. The union is based in the city of Dunedin, and its home ground is Forsyth Barr Stadium. The top representative team competes in the ITM Cup, New Zealand's top provincial...
) Jamie Helleur
Jamie Helleur
Jamie Helleur is a rugby union player currently playing for the Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a centre and represents Samoa internationally.-Playing Career:...
(from
AucklandAuckland Rugby Football Union
The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's top representative team have won New Zealand's top provincial rugby competition 16 times, more than...
) Taiasina Tu'ifua (from
Counties ManukauCounties Manukau Rugby Union
The Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Franklin district of New Zealand. The Steelers colours are red, white, and black horizontal bands. The 'Steelers' moniker is a reference to the nearby Glenbrook steel factory...
) Adriaan Fondse
Adriaan Fondse
Adriaan Fondse is a South African rugby union footballer playing for Newcastle Falcons.-Education:Fondse attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool , a public school located in Pretoria...
(from
Western ProvinceWestern Province (rugby team)
DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. The team has won the Currie Cup on 32 occasions and has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team...
) Greg Goosen (from
La RochelleAtlantique Stade Rochelais
Stade Rochelais is a French rugby union club who compete in the Pro D2. They are often known simply as La Rochelle.They were founded in 1898 and play at Stade Marcel-Deflandre . They wear yellow and black...
) Ashley Wells (from
GriquasWildeklawer Griquas
The GWK Griquas are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. Their home ground is Hoffe Park Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as GWK Park in Kimberley, and they draw their players from Northern Cape Province. They were previously known as...
) Suka Hufanga
Suka Hufanga
Sukanaivalu Ivakuva Hufanga, known as Suka Hufanga , is a Tongan rugby union footballer. He plays as a centre....
(from
Malemort) Players Out
Charlie AmesburyCharlie Amesbury
Charlie Amesbury is a rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or full back for Sale Sharks after signing from Newcastle Falcons in the Summer of 2011. He also plays for England Sevens....
(to
Sale SharksSale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
) Kieran Brookes
Kieran Brookes
Kieran Brookes is an English rugby player who plays with Leicester Tigers as a prop.-Club career:He made almost 40 senior appearances for Newcastle but only started 1 game in the 2009–2010 season....
(to
Leicester TigersLeicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
) Hall Charlton
Hall Charlton
Hall Christopher Charlton is a rugby union footballer who plays at scrum half for Newcastle Falcons.-External links:**...
(to
BlaydonBlaydon RFC
Blaydon RFC are an English semi-professional rugby union team. They play in National League 1, having won previously National Division Three North. They play at Crow Trees, Swalwell, Tyne and Wear.- The Main Team :...
, Player-coach) Alex Gray
Alex Gray (rugby union)
Alex Gray is a professional rugby union player for Newcastle Falcons. The former Barnard Castle Schoolboy has captained England to Grand Slams at both Under-16s and 18s levels, making his Under-18s debut three years young when they toured Australia in 2007...
(to
London IrishLondon Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
) Rob Vickerman
Rob Vickerman
Rob Vickerman is a rugby union player who currently plays for Newcastle Falcons. He plays outside centre. He has also played with England Sevens.-References:...
(to
England SevensEngland national rugby union team (sevens)
The English national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Honours:* 1973 International Seven-A-Side Tournament - Winners* Rugby World Cup Sevens Winners 1993* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2002* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2003*...
) Micky Ward (to
BlaydonBlaydon RFC
Blaydon RFC are an English semi-professional rugby union team. They play in National League 1, having won previously National Division Three North. They play at Crow Trees, Swalwell, Tyne and Wear.- The Main Team :...
, DOR-coach and Falcons scrum coach) Danny Williams (to
Salford City RedsSalford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
) Ed Williamson - Retiring Micky Young
Micky Young
Michael Young is a Scrum half for Rugby Union team Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership. He is a product of West Hartlepool Rugby Club junior academy.-Club Career:...
(to
Leicester TigersLeicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
) Tim Ryan
Tim Ryan (rugby player)
Tim Ryan is a rugby union player for Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness premiership. His position of choice is tighthead prop. Ryan started his underage rugby at Woodleigh Park for Highfield RFC playing in the second row and won an All-Ireland U-16 title...
(to
Cavalieri PratoRugby Club I Cavalieri Prato
Rugby Club I Cavalieri is a rugby union team from the city of Prato, Italy. They play in the 2010-11 version of the Super 10 having been classified 5th in the 09-10 Super 10 just missing out on the play-off.-History:...
) Tane Tu'ipulotu
Tane Tu'ipulotu
Tane Tu'ipulotu is a rugby union player for the Hurricanes in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a centre. He has represented the Pacific Islanders. In summer of 2008 he signed for the Guinness Premiership side Newcastle Falcons, to arrive in November 2008, after the Air New Zealand...
(to
Yamaha JúbiloYamaha Jubilo
Yamaha Jubilo is a rugby union team based in Iwata, Shizuoka. The team came second behind Toshiba Brave Lupus in the second season of Japanese rugby's Top League...
) Brent Wilson
Brent Wilson
Brent Wilson is a rugby union player for North Harbour Rugby Union in the ITM Cup, playing primarily as a flanker. He previously played for Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Premiership.-External links:*...
(to
North HarbourNorth Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
) Filipo Levi
Filipo Levi
Filipo Levi is a New Zealand-born Samoan rugby union footballer.-Career:InternationalLevi is a current member of the Manu Samoa 2011 Rugby World Cup squad....
(to
TasmanTasman Rugby Union
The Tasman Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union at the top of the South Island in New Zealand. It is New Zealand's newest provincial union, founded in 2006 with the amalgamation of the existing Marlborough and Nelson Bays sub unions...
) Andrew Henderson (to
GHAGlasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC
Glasgow Hutchesons' Aloysians Rugby Football Club, colloquially referred to as G-HA!! , is a Scottish Rugby Union club based in the Giffnock area of Glasgow, which currently plays in Scottish Premiership Division Three...
) Gcobani Bobo
Gcobani Bobo
Gcobani Bobo is a South African rugby player. His preferred position is Centre although he has played Wing on numerous occasions, with some success due to his pace....
Josh Afu (to
CarcassonneUS Carcassonne
Union Sportive Carcassonnaise are a French rugby union club based in Carcassonne. US Carcassonne currently compete in the Pro D2 of French rugby. The club were established in 1899. They play in black and yellow colours and at the Stade Albert-Domec...
) Glen Townson (to
Bristol RugbyBristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'...
) (Loan)
Current Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Alan TaitAlan TaitAlan V. Tait is a Scottish rugby footballer and coach. He is currently head coach at Newcastle Falcons and a former rugby league and rugby union footballer who played outside centre for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions...
- Assistant Coach: Paul MoriartyPaul Moriarty (rugby)W. Paul Moriarty is a Welsh former international rugby union and rugby league footballer. He is currently employed as assistant coach at Newcastle Falcons....
- Head of Strength & Conditioning Coach: Andy Smith
- Strength & Conditioning Intern: Patrick Evans
- Team Manager: John Stokoe
- Academy Manager: Richard Arnold
Notable former players
| Matthew Burke Owen Finegan Owen Finegan Owen Finegan is an Australian international rugby union player who plays as a flanker or lock. He is nicknamed "Melon" because of his large head.... Rob Andrew Rob Andrew Christopher Robert "Rob" Andrew MBE , nicknamed "Squeaky", is a former English rugby union footballer and currently Director of Operations at the RFU. He was formerly the Director of Rugby of Newcastle Falcons. As a player, Andrew was assured in his kicking and defensive skills off both feet... Garath Archer John Bentley Phil Dowson Phil Dowson Phil Dowson is an English rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.Dowson's position of choice is as a Number 8 and he can also operate as a Flanker.... Toby Flood Toby Flood Tobias Gerald Albert Lieven "Toby" Flood is an English rugby union player. He currently plays at fly half or inside centre for Leicester Tigers, having signed from Newcastle Falcons, and England.-Background:... Jamie Noon Jamie Noon Jamie Darren Noon is a rugby union footballer who plays at centre for CA Brive.-Career:Hard-running centre Noon joined the Falcons in the 1998/9 season, after a letter from one of his school teachers alerted the club to a player who had been totally missed by the representative rugby system in... Andy Perry Andy Perry Andy Perry is a rugby union player for Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Premiership, playing primarily as a lock.He has previously played for Exeter and Plymouth Albion... Dean Ryan Dean Ryan Dean Ryan is a former corporal in the Corp of Royal Engineers and England Rugby Union Number 8, and was Head Coach at Guinness Premiership side Gloucester Rugby.-Playing career:During his on-field career Ryan played for Saracens, Wasps, Newcastle and Bristol... Michael Stephenson Michael Stephenson (rugby player) Michael Stephenson is a rugby union footballer, who plays on the wing for Leeds Carnegie and England. Stephenson began his career with Newcastle Gosforth, winning two English Cups in 2001 and 2004 during five years in the Falcons' first team before moving to the Rec in the summer of... Tim Stimpson Tim Stimpson Timothy Richard George Stimpson is a former rugby union international full back . During his career he played for Wakefield, West Hartlepool, Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers, Perpignan, Leeds Tykes and Nottingham, England and the British Lions... Tony Underwood Tony Underwood Tony Underwood is a former English rugby union footballer who played as a wing three-quarter back. He is of Chinese-English parentage.... Mathew Tait Mathew Tait Mathew Tait is an English rugby union footballer. He is an outside centre, a fullback or wing... Dave Walder Dave Walder David John Hume Walder is a rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Wasps. He joined London Wasps from Newcastle Falcons in the summer of 2006, and he played a large part in his teams first win, against the Saracens... |
Colin White Jonny Wilkinson Jonny Wilkinson Jonathan Peter "Jonny" Wilkinson OBE is an English rugby union player and member of the England national team. Wilkinson rose to acclaim from 2001 to 2003, before and during the 2003 Rugby World Cup and was acknowledged as one of the world’s best rugby players... Mark Wilkinson Malcolm Young Mike McCarthy Ross Nesdale Ross Nesdale Ross Nesdale is a retired Irish rugby union footballer who played as a hooker.-Career:Nesdale won 13 caps for Ireland between 1997 and 1999, and was part of the squad at the 1999 Rugby World Cup where he played in two matches... Nick Popplewell Nick Popplewell Nick Popplewell is an Irish former rugby union player who won 48 caps for his country between 1989 and 1998. He played club rugby for Greystones RFC and the Newcastle Falcons. He started all 3 tests for the British & Irish Lions on the tour to New Zealand in 1993-External links:*... Carl Hayman Carl Hayman Carl Hayman is an international rugby union footballer who has played at tighthead prop for Otago at provincial level, the Highlanders in the Super 14 and the All Blacks at international level... Loki Crichton Loki Crichton Loki Crichton is a Samoan rugby union international player. He plays as a fullback or a fly-half.-Club career:As a schoolboy he attended Auckland's Kelston Boys High School on a scholarship from Samoa, playing for their 1st XV, then moving to Counties Manukau where he played for the Manurewa Rugby... Pat Lam Pat Lam Patrick Richard Lam is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer, of Samoan descent. He was the head coach of Auckland before being appointed head coach of Super 14 team the Blues in 2009. He went to St. Peter's College, Epsom, and captained the New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby team... Semo Sititi Semo Sititi Semo Sititi is a rugby union footballer in Samoa. He was born in Moto'otua.-Career:He is a flanker and currently plays for Ricoh in Japan, having previously played for Celtic League side Border Reivers and Manu Samoa internationally. He made his test debut in 1999 against Japan in Apia, Samoa... Va'aiga Tuigamala Va'aiga Tuigamala Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala MNZM is a Samoan rugby footballer. As well as playing for the All Blacks, he represented Samoa in both rugby union and rugby league, playing at centre and wing... Gary Armstrong Gary Armstrong Gary Armstrong is a former Scottish rugby union player who played scrum-half. He played for Jed-Forest RFC, Newcastle Falcons, The Borders and represented Scotland and the British Lions. His nickname is the Border Terrier... Richard Breakey Steve Brotherstone |
George Graham Stuart Grimes Stuart Grimes Stuart Brian Grimes is a former Scottish rugby player and captain. Grimes' previous clubs include Padova, Border Reivers, Newcastle Falcons, Caledonia Reds, Watsonians, Edinburgh University, Robert Gordon's College. He was previously Newcastle Falcons forwards coach... Craig Hamilton Craig Hamilton Craig Peter Hamilton is a Scottish internationalist rugby union player. His position is lock and currently he plays at club level for Edinburgh Rugby.-Career:... John Leslie John Leslie (rugby player) John Andrew Leslie is a former rugby union footballer who played at centre for Scotland. He is the elder son of Andy Leslie the great All Blacks captain and the brother of Martin Leslie who also played for Scotland... Duncan Madsen Jim Pollock Arthur Smith Arthur Smith (rugby player) Arthur Robert Smith was a wing of extraordinary ability and intelligence. He captained both Scotland and the British Lions. He won 33 caps for Scotland and was never dropped until his retirement in 1962, although he did miss the odd match due to injury... Alan Tait Alan Tait Alan V. Tait is a Scottish rugby footballer and coach. He is currently head coach at Newcastle Falcons and a former rugby league and rugby union footballer who played outside centre for Scotland and the British and Irish Lions... Peter Walton Peter Walton (rugby player) Peter Walton was an English-born rugby union player who won 24 caps playing in the back-row for the Scottish rugby union side between 1994 and 1999. He was educated at Merchiston Castle School, and played club rugby for both Northampton Saints and Newcastle Falcons. He was forced to retire due to... Doddie Weir Doddie Weir George "Doddie" Weir, born 4 July 1970 in Edinburgh, is a Rugby Union player, in the lock position.George Weir started playing rugby for Stewarts Melville RFC, his former school, in Edinburgh. He studied at the Scottish Agricultural College, gaining an HND, from 1988-1991 . He moved to Melrose RFC... Andrew Mower Epi Taione Epi Taione Epi Taione is a Tongan rugby union footballer who currently plays for London Welsh. He normally plays at centre but can cover wing or back row forward.-Rugby career:... Colin Charvis Colin Charvis Colin Charvis is a former captain of the Welsh national rugby union team and also played for the British and Irish lions. A back row forward, Charvis was equally adept as a flanker or as the no... |