Newcastle confirm 15 leavers, including Mulipola, Fearns, Robinson
Respective USA, Samoa and Scotland internationals Greg Peterson, Logovi’i Mulipola and Gary Graham have been included on the list of 15 players leaving Newcastle this summer, a group that also includes Carl Fearns and Sean Robinson. The Falcons are undergoing a wholesale revamp ahead of the arrival of new head coach Alex Codling and the confirmed departures file has emerged following the recent signing of 10 new players for the 2023/24 season.
A statement read: “Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the players who are leaving this summer as the club looks ahead to the 2023/24 season. A total of 15 first-team squad members depart with the thanks and best wishes of the club, with ten new signings already announced.
“The players leaving Kingston Park this summer are: Conrad Cade, Connor Collett, Matthew Dalton, Carl Fearns, Gary Graham, Conor Kenny, Pete Lucock, Tom Marshall, Logovi’i Mulipola, Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, Greg Peterson, Sean Robinson, Alex Tait, Will Welch and Michael Young.
“Double centurions Tait and Welch have already announced their intention to pursue a career in finance after retiring from the game. Scrum-half Young departs after reaching the 200-appearance mark during his two spells at Kingston Park, captaining the club on a number of occasions and providing vital leadership on and off the field.
“Lock-forward Sean Robinson moves on after playing 135 times, nine of them this season, while Gary Graham’s six seasons with the Falcons have seen him appearing 95 times, seven of which came during 2022/23.
“USA lock Greg Peterson leaves with 75 games to his name, while Samoan prop Mulipola departs having played 79 times over five seasons. Five senior academy players will also leave the club during the summer, with James Blackett, Jeremy Civil, Ewan Greenlaw, Chidera Obonna and Charlie Smith all moving on.
“Newcastle have so far announced 10 new additions to the first-team squad next season under incoming head coach Alex Codling (Oyonnax), with the signings of Josh Bainbridge (Coventry), Louis Brown (Coventry), Bryan Byrne (Bristol Bears), Tim Cardall (Melbourne Rebels), Cameron Hutchison (Edinburgh), John Kelly (Doncaster Knights), Ollie Leatherbarrow (Exeter Chiefs), Murray McCallum (Edinburgh), Kiran McDonald (ex-Munster) and Hugh O’Sullivan (London Irish). A further first-team signing will be announced at the upcoming fans’ forum on Monday, June 12.
“Five players have been added to the senior academy squad in the form of England U18s internationals Finn Baker, Isaac Keller, Jacob Oliver and Ben Redshaw, as well as Newcastle University’s Adam Scott.”
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “I would like to thank all of the guys who are moving on during the summer and wish them all the best for the future. They have given great service to the club, some of them for well over a decade, and I hope they go on to have great success wherever they decide to go.”
Latest Comments
In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to commentsI’d be fascinated to see what other candidates you all might have for the Lions captaincy role. Let me know, below 👍
Go to comments