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Newcastle Falcons Gallery -


Challenge Cup Squad
Discussion started by NorfolkFalcon , 09 October, 2017 07:42
Challenge Cup Squad
NorfolkFalcon 09 October, 2017 07:42
[www.epcrugby.com]

Blamire Jamie
Burrows Ryan
Cavubati Tevita
Chick Callum
Cowell Cam
Davison Trevor
Dawson Ruaridh
Flood Toby
Fonua Opéti
Graham Gary
Green Calum
Hammersley Simon
Harris Chris
Hodgson Joel
Ilnicki Jake
Kibirige Zach
Lawson Scott
Matavesi Joel
Matavesi Josh
Mavinga Sami
Mermoz Maxime
Orr Harrison
Payne Jack
Radwan Adam
Robinson Sean
Socino Santi
Sowrey Ben
Stuart Sam
Tait Alex
Takulua Tane
van der Merwe DTH
Vickers Rob
Welch Will
Welsh Jon
Willis Craig
Wilson Charlie
Wilson David
Wilson Mark
Witty Will
Young Glen
Young Micky

Looks like we are taking the competition seriously and with that squad we have a good chance of progressing into the latter stages. Considering we have rested a few key players for the competition (mainly Juan Pablo Socino and Goneva) and it still looks a very strong squad says a lot. The new players who have lacked game time have all been included.

Notable Absentees - Vereniki Goneva, Kyle Cooper, Ali Hogg, Nili Latu, Evan Olmstead, Sinoti x2, Juan Pable Socino,

Notable inclusions - Davey Wilson, Micky Young, Callum Chick, Opeti Fonua (looking like these are closer to returning). Great to see some youngsters such as Adam Radwan, Charlie Wilson, Jamie Blamire, Ruaridh Dawson etc. getting a deserved opportunity to impress.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/10/2017 07:43 by NorfolkFalcon.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Falcons_Thunder 09 October, 2017 08:31
It's great to see us take the competition seriously for a change

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
DeceptivePace 09 October, 2017 10:03
This forum is all about opinion I know, but the posted squad might well be as much of a reflection of the depth of quality within the club now as it is a measure of our ambition in the ECC.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
AFalcon24 09 October, 2017 10:59
Looking good I do like the mix there of young and experienced players. smiling smiley

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Kingkiko2 09 October, 2017 11:25
No Penny or Waldouck

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Monkey1 09 October, 2017 13:08
Last season at a Supporters Club evening I asked Mike Delany why we didn't compete in the cup competitions. His very blunt reply was that our squad just wasn't strong enough yet, and by the time you rested players who needed rest from the Premiership and stuck players into the 1st team to replace injuries, we just didn't have the numbers.

Looks like that has changed.

I would like to think that this season they can treat the cup games as a trial run for perhaps the big boys cup next season.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Falc Dancer 09 October, 2017 13:33
I expect a team with a high number of English qualified players in it for funding purposes
The likes of Burrows, Zach, Sowery, Robinson to all get some much needed game time
If we did manage to get to a point where we could win the tournament we then have enough depth to compete against most teams

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Geordie 09 October, 2017 13:56
Now that we have a stronger squad as a whole, it becomes a bit of conundrum.

I like the idea of using this competition to blood the kids. Players like Robinson, Witty etc etc have all been given exposure in these games.

However there does come a point where you change from development competition to one you take seriously and genuinely try to do well and possibly even win.

I suspect we'll see a bit of both. Much stronger squads however Dean will still use this to give a few of the kids more experience and exposure.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Geordie 09 October, 2017 14:18
For Newport on Saturday how about something like this? Or would you prefer a few more 1st teamer starters in there?

1 Davison
2 Sowery
3 Ilnicki
4 Cavubati
5 Robinson
6 Graham
7 Orr
8 Burrows

9 Stuart
10 Flood
11 Radwan
12 Josh Matavesi
13 Charlie Wilson
14 Tait
15 Cowell

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
NorfolkFalcon 09 October, 2017 14:56
I personally think it should be a blend of youth and firs team experience.

1. Mavinga
2. Sowrey
3. Ilnicki
4. Young
5. Cavubati
6. Robinson
7. Graham
8. Burrows
9. Stuart
10. Flood
11. Radwan
12. Matavesi
13. Mermoz
14. Kibirige
15. Hammersley

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Wensleydale Falcon 09 October, 2017 14:58
Is Mavinga not out for a while?

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
markismith50 09 October, 2017 15:03
No, Sami is fit. He was 24th man last weekend

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Leipziger 09 October, 2017 17:00
See Scott Wilson's not listed. Possibly not a good sign.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
markismith50 09 October, 2017 17:44
Scott’s not far away, and front rowers are dead easy to swap in and out of the squad.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Monkey1 09 October, 2017 18:25
I am with Norfolk on this one. Much as we need to compete, we also need to get as many younger players into these games as we can, with really experienced players such as Flood, Tait, Lawson & Vickers mixed in with them. Our whole future plan is based on developing a strong squad, especially featuring our own Academy players coming through. Not giving these guys meaningful game time with our most experienced players alongside them will be a step backwards.

Like most things in life it is about getting the balance right I suppose.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
NorfolkFalcon 09 October, 2017 18:47
It'll be interesting to see how Deano and the staff approach both games. On paper, Bordeaux away is the toughest game in the pool stage (with the Russian team away a close second) so you'd think that we may prefer to give some first team lads a rest for Newport and allow them to play against Bordeaux. However in the past we have given younger players exposure to these difficult away games and arguably the 'backs against the wall' mentality has aided their development.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
mannin 10 October, 2017 10:53
There's a lot of players who I'm sure are desperate for some meaningful gametime. Back rowers particularly i'd have thought seeing as Latu, Welch and Wilson have those spots nailed down. Orr, Graham, Fonua and Burrows should be a useful group of 4 in a squad. Same with Sowrey who I really like but seems 4th choice.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Geordie 10 October, 2017 11:11
I think its essential that certain players get some gametime. Definitely the back row.
We are very reliant on Wilson, Welch, Latu and Calumn Chick getting loads of gametime.

I think we need to see how some of the others can go...Definitely Burrows. Has he been injured? And I think Graham, maybe Harrison orr.

On a separate note..is anyone going to the Russia away game? Im very tempted depending on where and how long the travel would be.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
mannin 10 October, 2017 11:26
Quote:
GeordieFalcon
I think its essential that certain players get some gametime. Definitely the back row.
We are very reliant on Wilson, Welch, Latu and Calumn Chick getting loads of gametime.

I think we need to see how some of the others can go...Definitely Burrows. Has he been injured? And I think Graham, maybe Harrison orr.

(Sm128)

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
mannin 10 October, 2017 11:27
Great minds...

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
Geordie 10 October, 2017 11:32
ha ha indeed.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
DeceptivePace 10 October, 2017 12:08
Burrows captained the A side against Sale three weeks ago and most definitely looked fit. He carried himself with an air of confidence and has this knack of accelerating into the contact yet keeping control of the pill....take note Fonua.
As a newbie to the club he may have to bide his time, but I expect him to feature at some point in the Prem 23.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
markismith50 10 October, 2017 12:16
Ryan is fit at the moment, he was among the 24th men at the weekend down in Exeter.

Re: Challenge Cup Squad
AFalcon24 10 October, 2017 12:37
What I like the look of is the size we will have in the back row. smiling smiley


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