Falcons to face old foe

Jun 23 2007 By The Journal

Newcastle Falcons will face Irish province Connacht, French club Brive and Spanish champions Cetransa El Salvador in next season's European Challenge Cup.

Yesterday's draw handed the Tynesiders a tough pool assignment, with the clash against last season's quarter-finalists Connacht of particular interest as Falcons old boys Robbie Morris and Mike McCarthy are now in the Galway-based team's ranks.

Brive are well known to Kingston Park players and fans as they are included in the same section for the third succssive season.

The Falcons, meanwhile, have announced their squad for the 2007-08 season, with 40 first-team players and 14 senior academy squad members making up the group. England Saxons No 8 Phil Dowson will captain the Falcons, with England centre Jamie Noon installed as vice-captain in a squad whose new additions include All Blacks prop Carl Hayman and Border Reivers fly-half Steve Jones, as well as coaching and technical director Steve Bates.

Director of rugby John Fletcher said: "This is a squad with quality right across the field, and one which we believe will provide a strong challenge.

"Last season saw us beat all four Heineken Cup semi-finslists and all four Guinness Premiership semi-finalists, as well as going six months unbeaten at home in all competitions.

"Adding consistency to that equation is the key, and with a settled squad now a year older with some key additions, we firmly believe we are on the right path."

The Falcons kick off the new season at home to Sale Sharks on the weekend of September 15. Season tickets are available from £168 and can be obtained by calling 0871 226 6060.

Newcastle Falcons first-team squad

FORWARDS (23): Ross Batty, Ross Beattie, Andy Buist, Phil Dowson (captain), Eni Gesinde, Jon Golding, Carl Hayman, Andy Long, Joe McDonnell, Jason Oakes, Geoff Parling, Andy Perry, Mark Sorenson, Matt Thompson, Sean Tomes, Rob Vickers, Micky Ward, Johnny Williams, Ed Williamson, David Wilson, Brent Wilson, Russell Winter, Ben Woods.

BACKS (17): Matthew Burke, Hall Charlton, Lee Dickson, Tom Dillon, Toby Flood, James Grindal, James Hoyle, Steve Jones, Tom May, Mark Mayerhofler, Jamie Noon (vice captain), Ollie Phillips, John Rudd, Joe Shaw, Mathew Tait, Tim Visser, Jonny Wilkinson.

Senior Academy squad (14): Phil Dawson (flanker), Stuart Walker (lock), Greg Irvin (No 8/flanker), Oliver Tomazszcyk (prop), Robbie Kalbraier (prop), Rupert Harden (prop), Peter Browne (No 8), Tim Swinson (lock), Micky Young (scrum-half), Rob Miller (fly-half), Alex Tait (centre/full-back), Adam Dehaty (centre), Gavin Beasley (fly-half), Ross Samson (scrum-half).