Browne has to learn dark arts

Feb 7 2010 by Nick Purewal, Sunday Sun

Elsewhere Falcons rugby director Steve Bates has handed last week’s hat-trick hero Alex Walker another chance to impress, while Blaydon back-rower and England Students cap Mark Wilson slots into the back-row.

Grimes said: “Pete has done well when called upon this season and has shown up well in all competitions when selected.

“He’s probably a No 8 naturally, and that’s his favourite role, because he’s quick off the base and that gives him the chance to get a jump on the defensive back-row off the base of the scrum and around the park in the loose too.

“But all back-rowers need to be skilled in the more physical grunt work, the tougher, more physical aspects and certainly the darker arts of rugby.

“And you look at the likes of Martin Corry and guys like that, and they all shifted backwards and forwards between second row and back-row.

“You’ve got to have that ability and you have to have an all-round game to be able to operate at the top level with consistency and to be able to deal with any situation that’s thrown at you.

“So that durability and adaptability is vital, and if he can add elements to his game that will improve his all-round ability and potential, and it will benefit the team too.”

FALCONS: Alex Tait, Danny Williams, Rob Vickerman, Tane Tu’ipulotu, Charlie Amesbury, Rob Miller, Hall Charlton (c), Micky Ward, Alex Walker, Matt Thompson, Peter Browne, Filipo Levi, Mark Wilson, Brent Wilson, Josh Afu. Substitutes: Kieran Brookes, Carl Hayman, Grant Shiells, Will Welch, Alex Gray, Chris Pilgrim, Jimmy Gopperth, Tom Biggs.