'We do get overlooked quite a bit, the RFU, RPA, agents, whatever'
Long-serving Newcastle boss Dean Richards has touched on the isolation within rugby that is felt by the Falcons and Sale, their northern neighbours, as the two teams try to keep the professional game going in that area of England. Friday night’s Gallagher Premiership meeting between the clubs in Manchester isn’t your typical derby experienced by other top-flight teams in congested areas such as London or the West Country.
It requires a three-hour spin down the A19 to get from Kingston Park to the AJ Bell compared to the 19-minute spin Bath will have from The Rec to Kingsholm to play Gloucester on Saturday, but that distance up north only embellishes how far removed the Sharks and the Falcons are from the hubbub of the pro game.
For sure, the pair of clubs are an outpost compared to the clusters found elsewhere, a situation that does have its drawbacks. Richards has encountered them all during his decade in charge as the Newcastle director of rugby, but he insisted it wasn’t all doom and gloom either being so far removed by the cut and thrust of the industry elsewhere.
“There is a good friendly fondness between the two clubs because we are the most northern sides but that doesn’t affect how we approach each other on the field,” explained Richards when asked by RugbyPass to set the scene ahead of Friday’s ‘derby’ between teams that have about 160 miles of road between them.
“We do get overlooked. These teams get overlooked quite a bit by various factions, the RFU, the RPA, agents or whatever, they don’t come up quite this far and that is just the way life is. But that’s life and we accept that and we both suffer the same sort of situations on a year by year basis but it’s not a hardship at all and we quite like it sometimes if we don’t get certain business from certain people.
“It has always been the case. When Dimes [Steve Diamond] was over in Sale we used to joke about it. You wouldn’t necessarily get the referees coming up or the England coaches coming up or the agents wouldn’t go north of Leicester. But it is a long way to travel if you are based down in London and you don’t want to come but it didn’t bother us, it doesn’t bother us at all. We are a bit of an outpost, as Sale are, and you take it as it is really.
“What I will say is it’s an incredibly beautiful city and its outreach to the Northumberland coastline is absolutely stunning. It’s a very small city with everything happening. The countryside, inland in the moors is again wonderful if you want to lose yourself up there, fishing, shooting, you can do anything you like.
“So in terms of being someone that is quiet, out of the way, you can have every facet that you want within your life up here. It’s a little bit of an outpost but it’s a wonderful part of the world and what you tend to find is if you turn around to the players, they can’t speak highly enough of the area.”
One thing that has changed in the past twelve months is that Newcastle are no longer overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones. For years, Mark Wilson was their sole representative but that has now changed with Adam Radwan, Jamie Blamire, Trevor Davison and Callum Chick all capped by the Australian.
“It has been really refreshing having Eddie paying a lot of attention to the players so from the coaching perspective with England, they have paid a lot more attention to ourselves and to the northern teams than in previous years which has been really pleasant to see,” admitted Richards, whose Newcastle team are now in a three-way battle with Worcester and Bath to avoid finishing last in this year’s Premiership.
“From our point of view, we don’t want to finish bottom. That is a motivation in itself to win the last three games. If we win two out of the last three games we will be delighted.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Blackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 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.
9 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.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
9 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
9 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
9 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
9 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
9 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
9 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
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