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Controversial wing Arscott 'desperate' to prove himself in Premiership after French exile
Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of controversial former Premiership player Tom Arscott from next season.
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The former Sale Sharks players says he’s ‘desperate’ to prove himself after his last stint in the Premiership ended in controversy.
Arscott joins from French club Rouen where he has been playing under the tutelage of Richard Hill, the man who was at the helm when he made his Premiership debut for Bristol back in 2007.
Going on to play top-flight rugby with Worcester Warriors, London Welsh and Sale Sharks, the Plymouth-born player adds further finishing power and experience to a Falcons squad which has been making great strides in recent years.
However, Arscott was sacked by Sale Sharks after meeting his brother Luke on the eve of Premiership match between Sale and Bristol in early 2017.
Arscott’s contract with the club was set to run out at the end of the season but the winger always denied giving his brother any information that could have proved detrimental to his team.
Excited by the prospect of joining the Premiership’s most northerly club, Arscott said: “It’s a league I always wanted to return to, and I feel I have something to offer Newcastle.
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“With the way things were left at Sale Sharks I was desperate to get the opportunity come back to the Premiership and prove myself a little bit, and thankfully Dean has given me that chance.
“Newcastle are having an awesome season on the back of an encouraging one the year before, the club is going in the right direction and I’ve enjoyed watching their games on the TV from over in France.
“The players who have been brought in and retained over the last three or four years firmly suggest that this is a club doing the right things, and that was a massive attraction. I’m ambitious, I want to push myself with some of the best back three players in the Premiership and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
A regular try-scorer for Rouen during his time with the French club, Arscott said: “With the way things finished up at Sale it was good to get away from the UK and just put things to one side, but I’ve been desperate to come back.
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“It has been bittersweet in the sense that Rouen has been great and I’ve enjoyed my time there, but I always knew the Premiership was where I really wanted to be. I’m desperate to be in that environment, I have a massive hunger within me to prove myself here and I know I’ll be alongside great players.
“I can learn a huge amount from the guys who are here, I feel I also have a bit to pass on to some of the guys and overall it’s just a move which feels right. I’m joining a club who are doing the right things and it’s also a lovely part of the world.”
Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Tom is a proven performer at Premiership level over a long period of time, he knows his way to the try-line and he suits the way we want to play.
“Whether that be at wing, full-back or even outside centre doesn’t matter, but it’s great news for the club that we have been able to bring him on board.”
The 30-year-old has scored 29 tries in his 104 Premiership appearances, playing predominantly at wing and full-back but with the ability to also slot into the centres.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments