Bricks and Mortar Not Forwards and Backs


Master Planner

By Ridley
August 29 2002

Rob Andrew is quite happy to admit that he is a long term planner. His goal is to make Newcastle Falcons one of the leading clubs in the country playing a highly attractive "brand" of rugby and providing a steady stream of young talent for England.

His plan began when he left Wasps and dipped into Sir John Hall's pocket to assemble a squad of tried and tested players who hit the ground running. They established the virgin club as one of the top sides in England and put some silverware on the mantelpiece of Wynyard Hall.

But you can't throw money about forever and now Rob and co. are concentrating on phase two of the project. Almost £20m is being spent on building a ground to attract the masses, and the corporate sponsors, as well as on an Academy to hone the talents of the future generations of Falcons and England and, to a lesser extent, Scotland.

What you may be asking has this history lesson got to do with a preview of the forthcoming season? Well, after seeing every other club make hordes of talented signings, and our less than impressive displays in the pre-season friendlies, I thought we might all need cheering up.

We've lost international talent in Tuigamala, Lam, Weir, Armstrong and Graham. Shown the door to another in Andrew Mower but will Gareth MacLure come back into the fold now that Dave is out for six months?

Joe Shaw has come into the back division and Soakai Otuvaka into the back row. Jonny's brother Mark has moved up the A1 from Mowden Park, where he wasn't guaranteed a game at centre, and James Grindal is fighting Charlton for the 9 shirt. We have an accomplished prop in Andrew Blades but he wants to be forwards coach and won't play unless its a dire emergency.

That is hardly like for like.

So what will be our first choice line up? The team to start against Wasps alamost picks itself. My guess would be: Botham, Shaw, Noon, May, Stephenson, Wilkinson [capt], Grindal, Peel, Brotherstone, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes, Arnold, Taione, Dunbar.

Cover in the backs is thin but would include Hall Charlton, Phil Godman and Dave Richardson. Forward replacements could be Matt Thompson, Craig Hamilton, Andrew Springgay, and Rob Devonshire.

Will that team beat a rejuvenated Wasps? Nope!

As hard as I try I can't see this being anything other than a season of consolidation for Falcons. All the good things are happening in bricks and mortar and that isn't a bad thing. Fortunately, like many others, I can't see the investment in a new stadium and Academy being rewarded with relegation if we did finish bottom [which I don't think we will].

So gird your loins for this season. Your rewards will arrive in due course.

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