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'He's a big unit': Worcester sign Garvey, Newcastle bring in Dalton
Worcester have made experienced lock/flanker Matt Garvey their 13th signing for the 2021/22 season while Newcastle have signed ex-Ulster back five forward Matthew Dalton on a two-year deal. Garvey, 33, will bring plenty of Gallagher Premiership experience to Sixways having started his career at London Irish, spent seven years with Bath and the past season with Gloucester. Garvey also skippered Bath between 2017 and 2019.
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“We said that we had a couple more signings to make and one of them was a six/lock,” said Worcester boss Jonathan Thomas about his recruitment of Garvey. “We have a lot of good, young back five players but Matt’s experience and leadership will add real value to the squad. It’s important that you have good a balance between youth and experience and Matt can be a mentor to those young guys.
“But his real point of difference as a player is his experience and his knowledge and ability around the scrum and maul which are areas for growth for us. The Premiership is the most physical league in the world and Matt has got lots of experience. We are looking forward to working with Matt. Everyone who we have spoken to speaks highly of his leadership, his experience and his physicality as a player.”
Garvey added: “Worcester have always proved to be a tough challenge every time that I have played against them, and after having spoken to JT I was impressed with the plan and vision he has for the squad for next season and for the future. There are some very talented young players coming through and establishing themselves, and I look forward to joining up with the squad and playing my part next season.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle have unveiled the signing of ex-Ireland U20s player Dalton, a 6ft 6in forward who weighs 115kgs and has already been settling in on Tyneside. “I wasn’t supposed to start until July 1 but I had a bit of a chat with the coaches and we thought it would be best if I came over early,” said the 22-year-old who played for Ulster on ten occasions.
? @MattGarvey5 brings plenty of power to add to the pack ? pic.twitter.com/dfb6x0GcVz
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) June 22, 2021
“I arrived a few weeks back and have been working hard with the strength and conditioning coaches. It’s a chance to meet everyone, see the lay of the land and put in some graft ahead of the start of pre-season. It’s been great so far, and I’ve made some big gains.”
A former international pentathlete for Ireland schools, with high jump and hurdles as his stronger events, Dalton, who is mainly a second row, added: “I like to bring some speed to the game with the way that I play. Looking at the pitch here and the way the Falcons go about their game, that could be a good fit.
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“Coming into a Premiership team from the PRO14, there are definitely a lot of differences, but also a few similarities. Newcastle have got a very fit and dynamic pack and with the style of rugby I play, it will marry well.
“I have had a bit of time off to do some growing up and self-reflecting and this is definitely a good move for me. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity presented to me over these next two years, and I’m just incredibly glad how it’s worked out.”
SIGNING!
Former Ulster back-five forward Matthew Dalton has joined Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal.
Standing at 6 foot 6 and weighing 115kg, the ex-Ireland U20s international is already on Tyneside, aiming to hit the ground running for pre-season https://t.co/DeRlRr6zXa pic.twitter.com/meIwJa695C
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) June 22, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Bulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to comments