Welch backs fan assisted Falcons to tame Tigers
“Get yourself down!” is the message from Newcastle Falcons captain, Will Welch this week, ahead of Sunday’s Aviva Premiership match against Leicester Tigers at Kingston Park, which is on course to be the club’s best attended game since 2008.
Sunday’s game is already assured to be the fourth match of the season to see in excess of 6,500 people in attendance and could possibly be the first 10,200 capacity crowd since the Falcons took on Wasps, in a rearranged mid-week fixture seven years ago.
It is a return to the days that Welch used to enjoy as a fan in the stands and one that he says can play a key role in helping the side to a first win over Leicester since a 14-10 victory in 2009.
“I used to go along when we used to have sell-out crowds and it was awesome. It makes a huge difference, even last week against Wasps when it was three quarters full, that South Stand and West stand get pretty noisy, especially when it’s a close game and you can’t underestimate how much difference the crowd can make.”
Heading into the game following a draw and a narrow loss to two teams in the Premiership’s top four, the Falcons are a team that are now competing against some of the league’s top teams and in the captain’s eyes, there are only a few details to sort until these performances start to yield a greater points haul.
“It’s little bits of indiscipline when we don’t need them, in exit areas or around the half way like that kill you, things like not rolling away. We need to make sure we get out set piece right as if you do get all the little things right, then you always push top teams you are really in games against the top sides.”
“On the whole, our set piece was good at Sarries, there were just times when it needed to be good that we came unstuck and we just need to be more consistent from start to finish.”
Facing up to a Tigers side who are starting to stake a claim for a top four play of position and will travel to Kingston Park within striking distance of second, Welch has already identified where he thinks the Tigers will try to undo his side.
“Our set piece is going to have to hold up next week. Leicester will look at our game against Saracens and they will come up here and try and scrum us or maul us like Sarries did.”
“We played Tigers at the start of the season and we played pretty well against them in fairness. There were some little decisions that didn’t go our way, but now, I think we are much better at controlling our game and have a better understanding of what we are about.”
“If we can have our set piece hold up and the backing of a big crowd, I think we are capable of beating them.”
Tickets for Sunday’s game are selling quickly and supporters wishing to attend are being encouraged to take advantage of in advance ticket prices and book early rather than wait until match day, when availability is expected to be extremely limited.
To book your tickets, [click here][1] call 0871 2266060 or visit the Kingston Park box office.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2721
