Dan backing Falcons to marshal their skills

Monday 22 August 2016 Written by: Adam


Newcastle Falcons academy winger Dan Marshall says nine tries against Gala RFC offered a glimpse of what the team will be trying to achieve this season, as the opening Aviva Premiership Rugby fixture against Sale Sharks draws ever closer.

Marshall helped himself to two five pointers during the excursion to the Scottish Borders and made a general nuisance of himself in both attack and defence, as he continued to seize the opportunities that have been presented to him this summer.

And the 19 year old believes the side’s ability to execute expansive plays in what were slippery conditions augurs well for the upcoming campaign.

Marshall said: “It’s something we want to do, play an exciting and expansive game and if there is space on the outside then we want to get the ball there. We’ve been working on the skills we need to do that in training so to be able to do that in a game and in those conditions, then its happy days and its paying off.

“It wasn’t the best of conditions last Friday, but we managed to get the win and score a few tries and make it a good run out with a good result.”

Heading into his second full season as part of the club’s senior academy, the youngster who grew up in the metaphorical shadow of Kingston Park Stadium has enjoyed plenty of game time this summer, having featured in the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s series and in the friendly’s against Doncaster and Gala.

And with a season’s worth of experience behind him, including his senior team debut during the 2015/16 European Rugby Challenge Cup, Marshall says pre-season has been a different experience this summer and that he is ready for the season to start.

He added: “I’m feeling good and I’m looking forward to the start of the season. Obviously everyone has been working hard over the summer and we’re at the stage now where everyone is feeling a bit edgy. We’re wanting to get on the games and finish pre-season and get away from all the hard shifts with all the running and fitness and looking forward to getting onto the games.

“This year I am lot more comfortable, I know what to expect and what will be happening. Last year I was coming into a new environment and I was a bit on edge not knowing what the environment would be like. It’s not easy, but knowing what to expect makes it a bit easier.

“The challenge this year will be to build up the game time. I’ve had a few games already so hopefully I’ll be able to push on for that and that is my target for the year.
“If I get the opportunity, I’ll just be trying to play well and push forward for positions in the first team by continuing to do what I am doing, but push myself a bit harder.”