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England backrow Wilson pledges future to Newcastle
By Online Editors
England international back-rower Mark Wilson has pledged his long-term future to Newcastle Falcons by signing a new four-year deal with the Kingston Park club.
The 29-year-old has made 221 appearances for the Falcons and enjoyed a breakthrough year with the national side, being voted England’s Man of the Series during the recent autumn internationals.
A product of the Falcons’ academy, the Cumbrian spoke of his delight after committing his long-term future to his one-and-only professional club.
Wilson said: “This is the club that I love and I’ve been here for 14 years of my life, so it’s great to be able to extend that. My family is here, I class Newcastle as home and I enjoy being part of the whole club.
“We get really well looked after here as players, the off-field support is great and I enjoy the coaching every day. It means I can just focus purely on getting things right on the field, and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing over the next four years.”
Determined to help the Falcons rise up the Gallagher Premiership after last season enjoying a 20-year-high league position and featuring in three semi-finals, Wilson said: “We had a fantastic season last time round, and while this season has been disappointing I’m determined to help play a big part in getting us back up to where we know we can be.
“I’ve got absolute faith that we will turn things round this season in what is an incredibly tight league, and it will just take a win or two to get that confidence flowing again. We’re working hard in every department and I fully believe we have it in us to push back up the Premiership table, and Kingston Park is definitely where I want to be.”
Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards was similarly enthusiastic about the news, saying: “Mark is an outstanding player operating at the very top level of the international game, and the fact that he sees his future here at Newcastle Falcons speaks volumes about the club.
“As well as his tremendous playing ability Mark brings real leadership to the group, and the way he conducts himself day to say serves as an outstanding example to the many talented players coming through our academy system.”
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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