Exiles encounter excites Socino
Juan Pablo Socino says he and his teammates are looking forward to this weekend’s Aviva Premiership Rugby fixture against London Irish, with a positive mood throughout the camp this week.
After starting the New Year in the best possible style, the boost provided by the 19-14 win over Bath has carried forward into the week with the Argentine centre hailing the work done by the team.
Speaking with Falcons TV Socino said: “We’re feeling really well, we had a really good week in training, we’ve been working really hard in the last few weeks and I think we showed that last weekend when we beat Bath. We know it’s a big game and an important game and we’re looking forward to it.”
In a fixture that has thrown up some tight matches, the Falcons travel knowing the Exiles are in form on their home patch, having beaten Edinburgh and Northampton at the Madjeski stadium in recent weeks, with Socino highlighting set pieces as the main battleground.
“The set piece is going to be key. We know they can attack there and we want to be really strong and be able to deliver the ball we want, to attack and give us a platform to expose them. We know they like to slow the ball down but we have been playing well in those areas and don’t think there should be anything really to worry about.”
With changes to the team at a minimum, Socino again forms a midfield combination with Chris Harris at outside centre and Craig Willis in the Fly Half channel, with 20 year old Willis growing in stature with each game.
During last weekend’s game in particular, the man from Buenos Aires was noticeable in offering advice and counsel to his 20 year old team mate and it is something that Socino is pleased to be able to be offer.
“We’ve been working really well, Craig is really young and coming through and I think he has been playing really well. Obviously we try to help him as much as we can when he does something well to encourage him and if something goes wrong to put him off that and think about the next job .”
“The more time we spend playing together we will show more what we can do.”
For more from Juan, including his thoughts on the win against Bath and adjusting back into life at Kingston Park following the Rugby World Cup, [click here][1] for Falcons TV.
Sunday’s game against London Irish is a 1pm kick off with the match broadcast live on BT Sport. The Falcons club house, The Tap & Tackle will be open and screening the game while for those unable to watch, BBC Radio Newcastle will be providing live radio coverage via 1458 AM, DAB digital radio and online.
Live text commentary will be carried by the official Falcons twitter feed and official supporters app while highlights of the game will feature on ITV’s Aviva Premiership Rugby highlights show on Sunday evening.
[1]: https://youtu.be/27hBbtwr1rw
