‘Proud’ McGuigan 100 not out for Newcastle
The 26-year-old made his 100th appearance for the club during last Saturday’s 43-14 win at Doncaster Knights, saying: “It’s a massive honour – a privilege, really.
“I think it’s a big deal to play 100 games for any club, and doubly special when it’s the club where I came through as an academy player.
“Hopefully I’ve still got a good few games left in me yet, and we’ve got a good challenge this Saturday against Jersey.”
As well as coming though the famed Falcons’ academy McGuigan was also the first player on the Falcons’ AASE scheme to progress through to the first team, this season being handed co-captaincy honours alongside fellow homegrown star Michael Young.
Winning all 11 of their games this term, the hooker said: “There’s definitely more to come because we’ve not put in the complete performance yet.
“The Coventry home game was probably the closest we’ve came, but we’ll keep building and try to peak for the key games like Ealing away next weekend.
“Some people have been billing that one as a bit of a cup final and there’s clearly a big focus on it, but the best way to prepare is by putting together a big performance on Saturday against Jersey.”
The Falcons have already defeated Saturday’s visitors twice this season, winning 21-8 away from home in the cup on the opening day of the season and 42-19 in the league at home in November.
Not for the first time this season that game saw a late surge of tries, McGuigan stating: “We’ve found quite a lot this year that we’re breaking teams down in the last 20 minutes, and a lot of that must be down to the strength and conditioning element.
“We’re a very fit team, our S&C coaches have done a great job and we’re in a really good place with all of that. It just means that when games are close going into that final 20 minutes we seem to be a bit better at pushing on, and it’s happened quite a few times.
“In terms of Jersey, it’s unusual to have played against the same side three times by mid-December but you’ve just got to get on with whatever the fixture list throws at you. I missed the start of the season through injury so I’m just grateful of whatever opportunities I get for game time, and I’m looking forward to every outing.”
The Reds sit second in the Falcons’ cup group and fourth in the league, McGuigan identifying them as a credible threat going into Saturday’s 2pm kick-off.
“Jersey are a very good team and are rightly regarded as one of the contenders in the Championship,” he said.
“They’re well-drilled, they have good coaches and they’ll be coming here on Saturday to give us a proper battle. I’m looking forward to it – I’m sure all the boys are – and it’s another opportunity to try and extend this run that we’re on.”
Tickets for Saturday’s game are available by [**clicking here**][1], calling 0871 226 6060 or by visiting the ticket office in person.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Event/Index/1496?
