Post by Communications Team on Oct 3, 2012 12:31:04 GMT
Falcons stars come to Moseley in David v Goliath battle
For immediate release Wednesday 3rd October 2012
Issued on behalf of Moseley Rugby
Moseley welcomes Newcastle Falcons this Saturday for a first visit to Billesley Common this Saturday 6th Oct (3pm kick off) in what in terms of funding will be a David v Goliath battle.
Newcastle retained most of its premiership level star studied playing squad - assisted by the parachute payment following relegation from the Aviva Premiership last season - and will be looking for immediate promotion from the Championship. New director of rugby and former England legend Dean Richards’s experience with Harlequins in 2006 when he guided the London club back at the first attempt is likely to stand both him and Newcastle in good stead.
In Kiwi fly-half Jimmy Gopperth, the Falcons possess a prolific points scorer who won the Aviva Premiership's Golden Boot award in both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. Indeed the Falcons appear to have strengthened with the signings of Italian lock Carlo Del Fava, Scottish scrum half Rory Lawson from Gloucester and powerful centre former Junior All Black Tane Tu’ipulotu who signed for a second stint at the club.
Newcastle’s impressive squad includes internationals such as Ally Hogg (Back Row - Scotland), Alex Crocket (Centre - England Saxons), Jimmy Gopperth (Fly Half - 350+ points in Super 15 with The Blues), Matt Thomson (hooker – England Saxons), Taiasina Tu'ifua (Back Row – Samoa), Waisea Luveniyali (Fly half/centre – Fiji), Scott MacLeod (Lock – Scotland), Jonny Golding (prop – England), James Hudson (Lock – England Saxons) ……….and scrum half Jordi Pasqualin of Moseley fame and ever present threat from the bench!
Latest news is that Mr. Richards is even considering adding former Wales scrum-half Warren Fury to the roster. He played in the club’s Monday night A team fixture against Gloucester this week and could be taken on as cover for Rory Lawson should he be called up to the Scotland squad for the autumn internationals
However a visit to Moseley has always been a test for the newly relegated club. 32 points were scored against Leeds last season and Bristol lost 30-25 in the first year after relegation in 2009/10. Even All Black influenced Northampton Saints were given a stiff examination before Moseley eventually went down 18-27 in the 2007/08 season.
On the back of an outstanding performance at Bristol last Friday evening (Bristol 21-22 Moseley) the home side will be full of confidence - but be in no doubt about the difficulty of the task ahead.
Over the last few games Moseley’s newly assembled young squad has continued to improve with performances which have allowed a potent back division to convert possession and territory into points. Wins at newly promoted Jersey and Bristol last weekend, coupled with narrow losses to Nottingham and Plymouth means that home support can anticipate a keenly contested game.
The question is, will Moseley’s young Davids have any real chance against the Newcastle’s Goliath and its star studded team?
****ENDS****
For immediate release Wednesday 3rd October 2012
Issued on behalf of Moseley Rugby
Moseley welcomes Newcastle Falcons this Saturday for a first visit to Billesley Common this Saturday 6th Oct (3pm kick off) in what in terms of funding will be a David v Goliath battle.
Newcastle retained most of its premiership level star studied playing squad - assisted by the parachute payment following relegation from the Aviva Premiership last season - and will be looking for immediate promotion from the Championship. New director of rugby and former England legend Dean Richards’s experience with Harlequins in 2006 when he guided the London club back at the first attempt is likely to stand both him and Newcastle in good stead.
In Kiwi fly-half Jimmy Gopperth, the Falcons possess a prolific points scorer who won the Aviva Premiership's Golden Boot award in both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons. Indeed the Falcons appear to have strengthened with the signings of Italian lock Carlo Del Fava, Scottish scrum half Rory Lawson from Gloucester and powerful centre former Junior All Black Tane Tu’ipulotu who signed for a second stint at the club.
Newcastle’s impressive squad includes internationals such as Ally Hogg (Back Row - Scotland), Alex Crocket (Centre - England Saxons), Jimmy Gopperth (Fly Half - 350+ points in Super 15 with The Blues), Matt Thomson (hooker – England Saxons), Taiasina Tu'ifua (Back Row – Samoa), Waisea Luveniyali (Fly half/centre – Fiji), Scott MacLeod (Lock – Scotland), Jonny Golding (prop – England), James Hudson (Lock – England Saxons) ……….and scrum half Jordi Pasqualin of Moseley fame and ever present threat from the bench!
Latest news is that Mr. Richards is even considering adding former Wales scrum-half Warren Fury to the roster. He played in the club’s Monday night A team fixture against Gloucester this week and could be taken on as cover for Rory Lawson should he be called up to the Scotland squad for the autumn internationals
However a visit to Moseley has always been a test for the newly relegated club. 32 points were scored against Leeds last season and Bristol lost 30-25 in the first year after relegation in 2009/10. Even All Black influenced Northampton Saints were given a stiff examination before Moseley eventually went down 18-27 in the 2007/08 season.
On the back of an outstanding performance at Bristol last Friday evening (Bristol 21-22 Moseley) the home side will be full of confidence - but be in no doubt about the difficulty of the task ahead.
Over the last few games Moseley’s newly assembled young squad has continued to improve with performances which have allowed a potent back division to convert possession and territory into points. Wins at newly promoted Jersey and Bristol last weekend, coupled with narrow losses to Nottingham and Plymouth means that home support can anticipate a keenly contested game.
The question is, will Moseley’s young Davids have any real chance against the Newcastle’s Goliath and its star studded team?
****ENDS****
