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The 3 things Richards looks for when unearthing Newcastle talent
Dean Richards has explained his three-pronged criteria when scouting potential recruits for Newcastle, the Gallagher Premiership club who this week celebrated having four players from the region called into the England squad by Eddie Jones. Whereas previously during the Australian’s tenure back-rower Mark Wilson used to be the sole Falcons pick for England Test duty, the club’s fortunes have been transformed in recent times.
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Monday’s latest 34-strong squad picked by Jones featured the inclusion of a Newcastle-based quartet, a level of representation that was just one player less than the five which the chart-topping Leicester managed and it was on a par with the contributions Exeter, Northampton and Bath will give to the national team cause.
It was July when Adam Radwan, the 23-year-old winger from Teesside, Trevor Davison, the 29-year-old prop from the city of Newcastle, Jamie Blamire, the 23-year-old hooker from Cumbria, and Callum Chick, the 24-year-old back-rower from Ponteland, all made their England debuts.
At the time, Jones had enthused to RugbyPass about the forensic work being done by Richards towards getting a certain type of player to play consistently well in the Premiership. “Dean has got an uncanny eye to pick out talent,” explained the England boss.
“They usually come through unusual pathways, not the usual way with (England) 16s, 18s, the 20s. They usually come through a more diverged pathway and he has got an eye for that talent. They have played consistently well and they are being rewarded for their performances.”
Eddie Jones has explained why Newcastle were the club that provided the biggest contingent of uncapped players in his latest England squad https://t.co/4kmMRe25d6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 10, 2021
What does that ‘uncanny eye’ involve, though? Asked by RugbyPass, Richards outlined what he looks for when he goes out unearthing unheralded talent for Newcastle… and ultimately for England. “First of all whether they have got the physical ability, whether they have got the right mental approach and mentally whether they are able to take things in to carry out what is asked of them. It’s pretty simple really.
“They don’t have to tick all three boxes. They might only tick two of the boxes, but if they tick one they will find it incredibly difficult unless they are just an unbelievable physical specimen in which case they would probably be a prop.”
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With Newcastle having started the season encouragingly with three wins from their five matches so far, there would have been an expectation that their best players would be involved in next month’s three-game England campaign. It meant there was no massive training ground celebration last Monday when Jones confirmed his latest squad. The reaction, though, was much different in the summer when the Newcastle contingent got its first call-up.
“The biggest buzz was going into the summer series and the boys getting the call-up,” added Richards. “There was Sean Robinson as well and everybody was just delighted for them. It’s just a shame that Sean got injured when he did, otherwise the England boys would have seen a bit more of him. He has been exceptional as well this year.”
His devastating Harlequins exit, his new life up north in Newcastle, working again with Richards and who'd win a race between Radwan and May…????
– @mikebrown_15 held nothing back at his first media briefing as a @FalconsRugby player, writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/hAo3NVOP9o
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 16, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments