Newcastle Falcons team to face Exeter Chiefs

Newcastle Falcons have named their team for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership trip to Exeter Chiefs as Steve Diamond takes charge of his first competitive game.

The consultant director of rugby presided over a 31-28 away win at Sale Sharks in a friendly match a fortnight ago, and starts Brett Connon at fly-half for Saturday’s encounter in Devon.

An all-English back line sees Tom Penny paired with Rory Jennings in the centres, with homegrown duo Adam Radwan and Ben Stevenson on the wings.

Eduardo Bello packs down at tight-head prop after spending part of last week in Argentina’s mid-season training camp, while Guy Pepper returns at open-side having trained with England in the lead-up to last weekend’s Six Nations finale.

Ben Douglas is in line for his Gallagher Premiership debut after last week helping England Under-20s to the Six Nations crown, with fellow age-group international Ben Redshaw missing out after suffering a head knock during the title decider.

John Kelly is poised to make his Premiership debut having been named among the replacements, while starting lock Philip van der Walt plays his 50^th game for the Falcons.

Relishing the prospect of his first Premiership game since joining the club, Steve Diamond said: “I think we’re organised. We’ve worked hard, we’re fit, which is always a challenge going to Exeter, and it’s a difficult place to play.

“Exeter are in a bit of a rebuilding phase and they’re doing a good job with it, but we’re looking for a performance. We’ve got an enthusiastic bunch, and as long as that enthusiasm lasts for the full 80 minutes then I’ll be delighted.”

Asked about his early impressions after six weeks in the North East, Diamond said: “It’s been great to bring Scott MacLeod back to help with the line-out, and the existing staff here have also been good. A lot of them have been here for a long time, they love the club and they’ve got a huge amount to offer.

“Even down to the off-field stuff like the analysts, the conditioners, team manager, the food, the new gym and all the rest of it – it’s actually a really good set-up and I don’t think the players have got any cause for complaint.”

As well as Premiership points the new boss admitted there were additional factors helping to drive his team’s performance, explaining: “We’ve got a group of lads who are motivated to play, for two main reasons.

“One, they’re bottom of the league and haven’t won a game all season, which isn’t nice, and secondly there are around 25 of them out of contract in the summer. They’ve got to put themselves in the shop window for Newcastle or any other clubs who might want to sign them, and that’s the reality. It’s not nice, but that’s professional sport.

“All the contract stuff doesn’t change how the lads will approach the games, because they’ll still want to do their best. There are a few players who have come through our academy and have chosen to leave the club, and they’ll continue to be selected as normal. It’s not personal with me. Yeah, I think they’ve made the wrong decision, but we are where we are and we’ve got to get some performances and wins between now and the end of the season.

“There’s no point going over old ground about them leaving because it’s already done, but the key for me going forward is to create an environment where lads like them don’t want to move.

“One of the ways you do that is by guaranteeing game time, and what those lads certainly won’t get where they’re going is game time. The way you progress in this world is, yeah, training with better players, but mainly it’s getting minutes on the field in the Premiership. I think the three of them for whatever reason – and it’s up to them, I respect that – they’re going into big clubs with massive squads, and they want to be careful they’re not just another name on the roster.”

Aiming to change the trend in the future, Diamond added: “Part of my conversations with the owner when I came here is about setting some ambition around the place, and if players are going to move on, then move on at the right time when they’ve got 100 or more appearances for us at the top level.

“I don’t think money has been the issue in these cases, if I’m honest, and we’ll also be owed some compensation from the clubs they’re going to. Yeah, it’s a loss, but there’s no point crying over spilt milk. We’ll just get on with it and put together a team of highly competitive players.

“And if you think I’m being foolhardy, then watch this space.”

Focused primarily on Saturday’s challenge at Exeter, the Falcons boss is looking no further than a first league victory of the campaign.

“We’re here to win games of rugby, and so far we’ve not been very good at it,” he said.

“Exeter are a team who tend to start strongly so we’ll have to match them there, and maintain our levels all the way through.

“They keep the ball on the field and try to run you off the park, and with the rain and a 35mph wind forecast for Saturday afternoon it’ll feel just like a home match!”

Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs (Saturday, 3pm, Sandy Park)

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Tom Penny, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Eduardo Bello, 4 Philip van der Walt, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 John Kelly, 20 Sam Cross, 21 Ben Douglas, 22 Cameron Hutchison, 23 Matias Moroni.

Not available for selection: James Elliott, Kiran McDonald, Hugh O’Sullivan, Ben Redshaw, Pedro Rubiolo, Michael van Vuuren.

Referee: Jack Makepeace.