With the Falcons currently sitting atop the Aviva A League and enjoying an unbeaten start to the season, Back Row Dan Temm is hopeful that momentum will continue to push the team forward into their final game before the league break.

“I think that winning can become a habit. Even in the Sale game we were losing 10-0 but you ask any of those players and they’ll all say that they always thought they were going to win. And once you’ve won a few games on the trot you never really feel like you’re going to lose. Once momentum gets going it’s a hard thing to stop so hopefully it continues.”

Although missing from the on-field action last Monday, Kiwi-born Temm played a starting role in the first two games of the Falcons’ A-league campaign, including a try-scoring performance in the season opener, a bonus point victory away to Leicester.

“Fun is how I’d sum our first two games up; a bit of flowing rugby and getting the better of the teams we played. When you enjoy something like we’ve been doing in those games it makes it so much easier. You trust people, you’re willing to try things out and you’re always talking. I really enjoyed both games and to get the wins as well makes such a difference.

“The contrast between a winning changing room and a losing one after the game is huge; it’s nice to look around and everyone’s smiling, high fiving, singing or whatever so it’s good to be in a winning changing room at the moment and hopefully that’ll continue.”

Despite a flying start to the season, the Back Row recognises that his team’s upcoming fixture against Gloucester United could be their biggest test of the season so far.

“The game against Gloucester is going to be tough. My second ever game for Newcastle was against Gloucester A team down there and I think we’re very fortunate not to have to do that this year.

“Gloucester is a big rugby place and they carry a big squad with a few good players in their A Team; they’ve been doing well so far and they’ll be looking to join us at the top of the table and put one over on us so it’s going to be tough. From what I can remember of the game last year they’ve got a big pack and they bullied us around a bit. We won’t let that happen again but hopefully we can continue the form and get that result because another four points – and even a bonus point – would be good!”

With the club offering fans free entry to Monday’s A League fixture (ko 7pm), the team are hopeful of seeing a big crowd come along to watch the game. “It would be great to see a few people at the game and I think they’ll enjoy it just as much as we do. We like to keep the ball in play and get a few tries, and it’ll be good for fans to see some of the younger boys coming through and some of the guys off the bench.

“It’s promising for the club so if fans want to come down and see what the future is for the Falcons then I think they’ll be impressed. There’s a few guys pushing for first team spots too; Gonzo (Tiesi) was playing last week and he’s starting against Wasps this week, Brookesy was playing against Bristol then started against Northampton and again this week and there are a few others as well. Guys who are playing well are getting rewarded so that’s all that we can do if we want to play in that team, just keep putting in the performances, grinding out the wins and hope that it swings our way.”

Fit again after a knock to the shoulder, Temm hopes to see his name on the team sheet for Monday night’s game. However, refusing to sit back and watch aimlessly during last Monday’s 20-10 win over Sale, the 23 year-old stepped into the breach last Monday to man the club’s official Twitter account, providing the most entertaining match feed of the season so far.

“The Twitter was fun but it was hard work and a bit of a brain battle, I didn’t get to watch that much of the game! My thumbs have recovered now thought but I think my phone battery came off worst. I just tried to make it a bit of fun and write it how I would like to read it, or how I’d be saying it on the phone to someone.

“I managed to get a few New Zealand classics in there like up the jumper tries, meat pies and in the guts, and from the feedback it seemed like people enjoyed it. I even managed to pick up 42 followers new followers myself so that was OK too!”

With last Monday’s Twitter feed gaining the most positive feedback of any in the club’s social media history, Temm will be a tough act to follow as he looks to return to his playing duties. However he has volunteered to return to his new role as social media commentator whenever the opportunity arises.

Until then though there is one last matter to be settled for fans who stayed glued to last week’s A League match feed; the 15 song titles Temm snuck into his match commentary.

Although no one managed to spot all 15 songs, the club will be giving a pair of tickets each to next Sunday’s Aviva Premiership game against Exeter Chiefs to fans Rob Dixon and Dan Leather, both of whom managed to pin down almost all of the titles in the Dan Temm Twitter playlist!

The full list of song titles in last Monday’s Twitter feed was:

– Final countdown
– Watch this space
– Tunnels
– Tonight’s going to be a good night
– Let’s go to war
– Bring the tempo
– Boom boom pow
– Meet me halfway
– Pick up where we left off
– Don’t stop movin’
– All aboard
– Don’t stop believing
– It’s time
– Scream and shout
– Ain’t no stopping us now

This Monday’s Aviva A League fixture against Gloucester United will be played at Kingston Park, kicking off at 7pm. The stadium’s East Stand will be open for the game with both unreserved seating and terracing available.