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Next match Next two matches
Friday 18 January v Toulon at Kingston Park, 7.45pm
Sunday 3 February v Sale Sharks at AJ Bell Stadium, 3.00pm (Cup)
Last result: Montpellier 45-8 Newcastle Falcons
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Mermoz at last
15 Simon Hammersley
14 Alex Tait
13 Maxime Mermoz
12 Toby Flood
11 Adam Radwan
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Sam Stuart
1 Rob Vickers
2 Ben Sowrey
3 Trevor Davison
4 Will Witty
5 Sean Robinson
6 Mark Wilson (captain)
7 Gary Graham
8 Ryan Burrows
Replacements
16 Jamie Blamire
17 Adam Brocklebank
18 Scott Wilson
19 Glen Young
20 Will Welch
21 Ruaridh Dawson
22 Cameron Cowell
23 Chris Harris
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
15 Simon Hammersley
14 Alex Tait
13 Maxime Mermoz
12 Toby Flood
11 Adam Radwan
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Sam Stuart
1 Rob Vickers
2 Ben Sowrey
3 Trevor Davison
4 Will Witty
5 Sean Robinson
6 Mark Wilson (captain)
7 Gary Graham
8 Ryan Burrows
Replacements
16 Jamie Blamire
17 Adam Brocklebank
18 Scott Wilson
19 Glen Young
20 Will Welch
21 Ruaridh Dawson
22 Cameron Cowell
23 Chris Harris
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Hell of a team that is
Now that's a strong team! Not only that...look how many home grown players!!!
Can wait for tomorrow.
Can wait for tomorrow.
Wow! ...Radwan the flyer... Flood at 12...Mermoz starts. Hammer and the ever reliable Tait. Feed the backs, Feed the backs!!!!!
(Great to see Scott Wilson in the 23)
(Great to see Scott Wilson in the 23)
Falcbear....I COMPLETELY missed Scotty on the bench.
Now that is the best news of the lot! I genuinely pray that he gets a proper good injury free run now!
Now that is the best news of the lot! I genuinely pray that he gets a proper good injury free run now!
Do we really need to play Mark Wilson and Vickers?
Rest of the team looks good.
Rest of the team looks good.
I doubt they'll play the full game mannin. Mark is just there for some leadership, Welch will probably play in the next game.
Although Burrows offers a great leader now aswell.
Although Burrows offers a great leader now aswell.
As I expected a very EQP based squad. A good mix of youth and experience. Great to see Scotty Wilson back. Zach not fit?
As Mannin says, why are Mark and Bobby starting? Add Witty to that list as well. I would have expected that they would be rested
As Mannin says, why are Mark and Bobby starting? Add Witty to that list as well. I would have expected that they would be rested
Some genuine squad depth 
What a fantastic blend of experience and newcomers. Good luck to all the first time this season starters and all fingers crossed that this is the start of an injury free run for Scott Wilson.
I seem to remember us getting clobbered at KP before half time by the Dragons a few seasons ago. This squad is strong enough to turn the tables on them tomorrow.
I seem to remember us getting clobbered at KP before half time by the Dragons a few seasons ago. This squad is strong enough to turn the tables on them tomorrow.
Looks like Deano is taking the Challenge Cup seriously this year. Practice for 2019 when yhe final is at KP?
Quote:davietoon
Looks like Deano is taking the Challenge Cup seriously this year. Practice for 2019 when yhe final is at KP?
Hope not, as we want to be at SJP in Champions Cup don't we!
Aye true Just didn t want to get carried away and be too over optimistic, but what the he'll why not?
I think the Challenge Cup final is at SJP too, it's just the qualifying competition final that's at KP.
Good mix of youth and experience in our team there, very good!
Good mix of youth and experience in our team there, very good!
Like the look of that side very much. Got a mix of youth, newcomers and fringe players who will all be looking to impress. Just feed the backs!
Fantastic to see Scott Wilson back in contention. Wasn't expecting that! Thought Davey was the closer to contention.
Newport have a nightmare injury list at the moment. We must be aiming for a win.
Fantastic to see Scott Wilson back in contention. Wasn't expecting that! Thought Davey was the closer to contention.
Newport have a nightmare injury list at the moment. We must be aiming for a win.
Love the look of the back row.
Quote:davietoon
Looks like Deano is taking the Challenge Cup seriously this year. Practice for 2019 when yhe final is at KP?
Both finals are at st James park
That's a strong second string side we're putting out nowadays....
It's not really a second team, closer to half and half. Should be too strong for the injury-weakened Dragons. A good performance should match the big score Bordeaux achieved in Russia.
IIn Friday's Journal: ' Rugby is basically just hoying things around'. Trevor Davison.
In his case: people, balls - in that order. 😃
Not liking the commentary from the game too shouty today. We’ve been awful in the 2nd half as I type Dragons Score again 22-27 Dragons. Sam Stuart caught out for pace.
Try in front of posts by Mark Wilson. 29-27 on 63. If we play through the hands and brute strength in the forwards we could open up a cricket score but penalties are killing us in this second half.
An odd game. Trying out some new combinations, I guess, and a win is a win, with four try bonus added. Great to see Scott back, steadying the scrum. Although not flawless, I like the addition of Gary Graham and Ryan Burrows. Radian had some great moments. A little surprised that the electric Cameron Cowell didn't come on for an injured Hammersley. Noah secured some tricky kicks and Maxime M looked hungry for more ball with a couple of opportunities wasted. Crowd of 4,000 disappointing for a balmy October afternoon.
Was surprised to see that Gary Graham has a rather famous former falcon for a dad.
How did I miss that?
How did I miss that?
That wasn’t the perfect game by any stretch but there were a load of good things about that game.
That pack looked decent in places bearing in mind not regularly playing together.
Burrows and Graham looked good.
Scott Wilson was a boost as was Ben Sowery.
It’s was good to see Joel get a proper run and having Noah outside him seemed to help a lot.
Maxine Mermoze at 13 was interesting to say the least, there will be good things to come and Radwan is a racing machine.
That backline could play in the Prem quite easily.
I would like to see more of that side and not have a few changes just for the sake of it but I’m not in charge.
That pack looked decent in places bearing in mind not regularly playing together.
Burrows and Graham looked good.
Scott Wilson was a boost as was Ben Sowery.
It’s was good to see Joel get a proper run and having Noah outside him seemed to help a lot.
Maxine Mermoze at 13 was interesting to say the least, there will be good things to come and Radwan is a racing machine.
That backline could play in the Prem quite easily.
I would like to see more of that side and not have a few changes just for the sake of it but I’m not in charge.
Gary Graham was the best falcon on the pitch by some way. Really put some huge tackles in and was a physical nuisance all game. He also scored a try and set one up. I'm glad Dean singled him out aswell.
Flood was very good today I have to say. Not offensively but defensively. He put in some huge work in that area..some big tackles and was constantly talking and questioning the ref.
Radwanshowed glimpses of what he can do.
Joel showed to me that he is now behind flood and Willis.
The biggest problem for me was the lack of directness. To often we drifted from one side to the other with the ball just puttng it through the hands. You can defend that all day.
That's one area I expected to see more of Burrows and want to see Will witty improving in.
No one took the ball and went forward hard with pace running angles and lines.
Flood was very good today I have to say. Not offensively but defensively. He put in some huge work in that area..some big tackles and was constantly talking and questioning the ref.
Radwanshowed glimpses of what he can do.
Joel showed to me that he is now behind flood and Willis.
The biggest problem for me was the lack of directness. To often we drifted from one side to the other with the ball just puttng it through the hands. You can defend that all day.
That's one area I expected to see more of Burrows and want to see Will witty improving in.
No one took the ball and went forward hard with pace running angles and lines.
Ps I did enjoy watching the lads play in green and white hoops
Sounded like Graham had a solid game a long with others hope he gets more game time.
I expect big things from Graham. He has all the attributes to become a top flanker.
Apologies if I was too shouty today alnwickfalcon. I will listen to the recording, I actually didn't think there was a lot to shout about so maybe it was the pre-match coffee. It was nice to get new players on the field and head to next weekend with a win
Very good to see Scott Wilson back on the pitch and the Dragons contributed well, especially in the third quarter. However, like the Irish game, it was another Jekyll and Hyde showing from the Falcons. Side to side without going forward first, turnerd over a lot of ball and some scruffy set pieces. Will need to be a lot better and a lot more consistent against Leicester.
There is no doubt that Radwan is s speed merchant but I think he should ditch the hitch kick when he receives the ball because it gives the opposition time to line him up for the tackle. I think he has enough flat line speed to beat the tackler and leave them grasping at air.
Jekyll and Hide is the correct description. Lacking bite with a touch of complacency, it seemed for long periods that the Dragons wanted it more, especially when we went back to our old habit of having a nap after half time. Unusual for a player on the losing team to win MOM, but their fly half deserved it.
Graham Jnr looked very good as did Scotty Wilson and Rob Vickers put in another great age defying performance. Flood played his heart out and kicked beautifully but not sure about Mermoz being a team player.
When we did grit our teeth and punch forward, we looked a class above the opposition and should have won by a wider margin. Nevertheless, happily we emerged with five points in the bag and head to France for our most challenging group game level with Bordeaux. Fingers crossed the boys reproduce our league form there.
Graham Jnr looked very good as did Scotty Wilson and Rob Vickers put in another great age defying performance. Flood played his heart out and kicked beautifully but not sure about Mermoz being a team player.
When we did grit our teeth and punch forward, we looked a class above the opposition and should have won by a wider margin. Nevertheless, happily we emerged with five points in the bag and head to France for our most challenging group game level with Bordeaux. Fingers crossed the boys reproduce our league form there.
Quote:iansmith1956
Apologies if I was too shouty today alnwickfalcon. I will listen to the recording, I actually didn't think there was a lot to shout about so maybe it was the pre-match coffee. It was nice to get new players on the field and head to next weekend with a win
Cheers Ian, I think your commentary partner not Mr Gray was a little enthusiastic.
Great win for the boys thoroughly enjoyed listening whilst watching the game we all have a different take on things.
I'm not really that fussed about Europe this season. Obviously it's nice to to maintain performance levels but I think Europe should primarily be used, at least these first games, to look at players with the view to promoting good performances to the premiership team.
I'd happily take a top 6 finish over winning the challenge cup. Following on that I hope we can see Graham Jr in the premiership 23 at some point soon. Sowrey is another who hasn't really let us down but appears to have been overtaken by Socino Jr. Just nice to have the depth we have at hooker when you consider how depleted we are in the other front row positions.
I'd happily take a top 6 finish over winning the challenge cup. Following on that I hope we can see Graham Jr in the premiership 23 at some point soon. Sowrey is another who hasn't really let us down but appears to have been overtaken by Socino Jr. Just nice to have the depth we have at hooker when you consider how depleted we are in the other front row positions.
Cantab, MOM vote in Europe is voted for by the press, and there were more Welsh press than English. Also for operational reasons the vote was taken on 67 minutes, when Dragons were ahead.
My vote went to Gary Graham, for what it’s worth. As did Deano’s.
My vote went to Gary Graham, for what it’s worth. As did Deano’s.
Thanks for the info Smithy. As others have said, I couldn't have argued either and would have been delighted if Gary Graham had got MOM.
67 mins seems v early to decide MOM. I wish ERC had a game clock, you get used to it in the Prem and towards the end when you look how long there is to go you suddenly realise you should have checked your watch when the 2nd half kicked off.
67 mins seems v early to decide MOM. I wish ERC had a game clock, you get used to it in the Prem and towards the end when you look how long there is to go you suddenly realise you should have checked your watch when the 2nd half kicked off.
EPCR do have a game clock, Cantab, the Tissot clocks in each corner and on the West Stand
Another "senior moment" Thanks Smithy
Quote:aidanb
Was surprised to see that Gary Graham has a rather famous former falcon for a dad.
How did I miss that?
It' s an age thing, Aidan. George Gragam will long be remembered for, amongst other things, running half the length of the pitch to score away against London Scottish. This was at a time when the main function of the pack was to trundle between set pieces. George was a Cumbrian who escaped to RL before Rob Andrew recruited him for us.
Quote:dick gQuote:aidanb
Was surprised to see that Gary Graham has a rather famous former falcon for a dad.
How did I miss that?
It' s an age thing, Aidan. George Gragam will long be remembered for, amongst other things, running half the length of the pitch to score away against London Scottish. This was at a time when the main function of the pack was to trundle between set pieces. George was a Cumbrian who escaped to RL before Rob Andrew recruited him for us.
I loved George Graham, what a player he was.
Was much much more than a prop, anyone who at 5foot and some who can scrummage against Os De Rant of South Africa and still run around the park is a legend. He explained it as cheating like .....
But in the Prem he was excellent as a very mobile prop who could do his job at loosehead.
He wife was great company when she would stand in the west corner of the old south steps and hold court. Very colourful character.
A curate's egg game for me - I didn't think apart from Graham anyone put their hand up for a league start.
I Would be tempted to have Graham and Scott Wilson at least on the bench for our next league game.
Re: George Graham Senior - he's still plying his trade as a coach, having just taken over at Hawick (Darren Cunningham resigned following seven straight losses...) GG Senior coached at Gala for many years, seeing them (sadly, for Scottish Borders rugby) relegated to BT National League 1 last season. Gary Graham and George Graham Junior both played for Gala for a time, where Doddie's two brothers, Tom and Chris, still play. Small world...
I didn't know if it was a bit soon for Scott Wilson - our scrum is still a worry for me
The two new lads to the Falcons front row this season need to be given as much game time as possible to bring them up to Prem speed asap
I, of course, am talking about Scott Wilson and Trevor Davison.
I, of course, am talking about Scott Wilson and Trevor Davison.
Quote:Bedlington Lad
I didn't know if it was a bit soon for Scott Wilson - our scrum is still a worry for me
Its still a massive worry for me aswell. We got smashed a couple of times on Saturday.
Scotty looked like he was grasping at thin air on Saturday at times, but that's simply a lack of gametime. He's barely played a regular stint in years.
If he can stay injury free and get a real good run of games under his belt he'll look much better and have match sharpness.
Mermaid just tweeted a pic of himself in the Euro top and linked it to the falcons account.
Just looked odd - as if he was trying to remind them that he plays rugby or maybe remind himself
Just looked odd - as if he was trying to remind them that he plays rugby or maybe remind himself
Max did a big interview in L’Equipe this week which used that photo, he was just sharing the pic with his twitter followers.
What's going on with Maxime, Smithy? Would you be able to give us an update? I just hope it's a niggling injury that has kept him out of contention. He's pulled out at least twice last minute.
He has been having some ongoing issues with an inner ear problem, and is continuing to work with the medics
Quote:Leipziger
Mermoz's career's not over.
for some reason google translate doesn't even offer an option
it must be proper French today
Quote:markismith50
He has been having some ongoing issues with an inner ear problem, and is continuing to work with the medics
no balance will destroy your running
if only I'd worked out that it was my ears stopping me from running all those years ago, or maybe it was just cos i was lazy and fat
Maxime was sitting a couple of seats away from us with his wife and son in the East stand at Quins game but didn’t want to be cheeky and ask when he was likely to play .
He probably wouldn’t have been able to tell you anyway. Funny old problem, but it’s being looked at by experts.
Thanks for the clarification Smithy. Let's hope that the problem is sorted properly so he can get back into his best.
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