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'People move on': The reception expected for Chick's Newcastle return
By Chris Jones
Callum Chick is guaranteed the most emotional welcome any visiting captain will receive from the Newcastle Red Bulls faithful when he leads Northampton Saints out against the club he captained during its darkest days before he opted to move to the East Midlands in the summer.
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Chick is a genuine local hero on Tyneside having joined Newcastle as a 12-year-old and delayed his decision to finally join the seemingly endless exit of key players from the club as long as possible while they tried to find a new owner. Unfortunately, Red Bull’s arrival came too late to keep the England No.8 after more than 170 games over nine seasons for English rugby’s northern outpost.
Now, Chick is back as the Northampton captain which only proves just how good a leader and player he is, and the Newcastle squad will have to ignore the loyalty they used to give their former captain and try to end their winless start to the season. Northampton, in contrast, arrive unbeaten and Chick’s form will have been noted by Steve Borthwick, the England head coach. Compounding the Red Bulls fans’ frustration will be the presence in the front-row of England prop Trevor Davison and hooker Robbie Smith, who also left Newcastle to join the Saints.
Alan Dickens, the Red Bulls head coach, used be part of the Northampton management and is acutely aware of the danger the Saints pose with their mix of established stars and academy products headed by Lions star Henry Pollock who starts on the bench tomorrow night.
Dickens said: “Callum was the heartbeat (of the team) and we have seen what a talisman he has been for the club. He hung on for as long as he could and Northampton came in for him late and the situation we were in at the back end of the season meant he had to make a decision. I am sure Chicky will get a great reception from our supporters, and it’s well deserved after the way he led the side over the past few seasons. Callum is a fantastic ball carrier and has good ball skills as well. He’s performing well for Northampton and is the captain.
“He was integral in keeping the group (at Newcastle) together, however, people move on in sport. But we’ve moved on as well, we’ve welcomed some new talent into our own group and it’s all about looking forward.
Hooker George McGuigan has returned to the club as captain and was one of Chick’s leadership group but that has been rebuilt following the No.8’s departure with Japan No.8 Amanaki Mafi now a key figure on and off the pitch. Dickens added: “It can’t all fall on one person and you must have a leadership group. Amanaki Mafi has come in and done a great job with his carrying and turnover ability, but we need to spread the load. That’s what we’re working hard on now and the attitude from the guys has been really positive.”