AFTER a season of imbalance the Newcastle Falcons team will be freshening-up in the coming months, as new exciting imports eye up their fortunes here in the North-East, while others venture away in search of new challenges elsewhere.
The biggest of all speculation however has to be the whereabouts of Jonny Wilkinson next season, with a move to French side Toulon well and truly on the cards.
Tom May is one definitely making the trip across the channel, ending his tenure with the club in the position injury struck Wilko used to entertain the Geordie faithful.
Captain Dowson signs the deal that sees him become a Northampton Saint next season. Andy Buist will be at London Irish while Geoff Parling becomes a Tiger, and Russell Winter calls it a day announcing his retirement to a proud career which saw the former South African A captain join the Falcons back in 2006.
Amid the departures of those named and the possibility of a few others to follow, Steve Bates hasn’t resigned to leaving the side short in numbers next term.
Samoan captain Fellipo Levi joins Tongan flanker Josh Afu at the Falcons for the next two years, strengthening the back-row with an abundance of experience and a massive physical presence.
“I’ve always admired the Premiership,” Levi said. “My eyes have been opened to European rugby with my time at the Ospreys, a level I believe the Newcastle Falcons can achieve hopefully in the next year or two.”
James Hudson reciprocates the move of Buist, joining the Falcons from London Irish as Steve Bates seeks to build power up front as well as strength in depth ahead of next season.
“We believe the players we have signed have a big future at the club,” Falcons’ Rugby Director announced. “We’ve lost a great servant in Phil Dowson but at the same time have acquired an international captain with great experience.
“However, we’re not changing the team wholesale. We’ve had a good season just gone, especially in the games away to Wasps and here to Bath. These games stand out I feel since our performances prove we are capable in competing with teams at that level.”
After the indecent start to the season, the Falcons came into the new year with an improved confidence, winning seven out of their last eleven, which include victories over the league’s top two finishers Leicester and Harlequins, and a win at Franklin’s Gardens to end Northampton’s two-year unbeaten streak at home.
The returning Carl Hayman was inspirational too, finding some of the form he played with as an All Black. But the biggest story would definitely have to be of make-shift fly-half Tom May, proving he has the composure of boot as well as the sleight of hand in the season’s final months.
After admitting to a few tears before his last outing at Kingston Park, May wishes the team all the best and expresses his desire to possibly play again for the club sometime in his rugby future.
“Newcastle has been a fantastic club to me and I’ve had an unforgettable experience growing up with the guys here.
“Hopefully the wife and I can make the most of a few years abroad and maybe make a return one day. I’ve been married into the Geordie race so I would love to come back.”
Another season has come and gone and players’ futures are again in the balance.
But with fresh-blood in the Kingston Park side, a revolutionised Falcons team can breathe renewed success come September; in a new Guinness Premiership season that is never far away.
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