Steve Diamond wary of the 'hawks' that are 'picking on' Newcastle

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond has revealed rival Gallagher Premiership clubs are already trying to cherry-pick his squad as he starts contract negotiations in a bid to stop talent leaving the bottom club in the league, who are on a 25-game losing run.

Last season, Newcastle lost prop Trevor Davison to Northampton Saints and saw Guy Pepper, the highly rated flanker, join Bath over the summer, and now four more players are being targeted with Diamond revealing the club is putting a significant transfer price on their heads.

Key targets include England internationals Adam Radwan, Jamie Blamire, Callum Chick and youngster Ben Redshaw. Falcons also have Pumas Test lock Pedro Rubiolo.

Diamond, whose team faces second-from-bottom Exeter at home on Friday night, told BBC Sport: "We have had approaches for four players this week. We can't be doing so badly if four of the big clubs want our players. The hawks are picking on us at the moment.

"I am getting several calls this week about 'can I buy X player off you'. Once I tell them how much I want, they seem to go very quiet on the phone. It's business. We would do the same if we had the resources to do that.

"But I am amazed where some of the clubs who have approached me get their money from. You think they would be capped up.

"The players are very professional. They understand me, they understand the club, they've got an affection for the club because most of them have been there a long time. They are not in the habit of jumping ship.

"At this moment, we don't want to be putting our wares in the shop window in October when there is a hell of a battle to be done through the season. If recruitment and retention goes the way I want I would hope not too many will be leaving.”