Youth and Experience combine in Euro squad.
A trip to France begins the Falcons European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign this weekend, with the club nominating a 41 man squad with a focus on young and English qualified talent.
This season’s cross border competition sees Russian champions Enisei-STM, Guinness Pro 12 leaders Connacth Rugby and French Top 14 play off chasers Brive join the Falcons in Pool 1 with the Kingston Park based once again blending youth and experience.
After making breakthroughs with impressive performances in last season’s competition, Tom Catterick, Chris Harris, Tom Penny, Sean Robinson, Craig Willis and Will Witty are all included in the wider roster with the likes of Callum Chick, Joe Craggs, Ruaridh Dawson, Dan Marshall and Adam Redman all looking to earn game time this time around.
Mourtiz Botha, Mike Delany, Ben Harris and Marcus Watson are among the club’s new additions that are included in the squad, while further English qualified experience is provided by players like Simon Hammersley, Mark Wilson, Michael Young and club captain, Will Welch.
With the club now home to a host of internationals, additional valuable experience is provided by Argentine international Juan Pablo Socino, Samoa’s Kane Thompson, Scottish stars Ally Hogg and Scott Lawson and Tongan duo Tane Takulua and Taione Vea .
Following a season that saw the club qualify from a strong pool for the quarter finals for the first time in six years, the challenge posed this time around will be no easier, providing the players with a platform to shine away from the Aviva Premiership.
**European Rugby Challenge Cup squad
Newcastle Falcons**
**Forwards** – Mouritz Botha, Callum Chick, Joe Craggs, Andrew Foster, Calum Green, Ben Harris, Rob Hawkins, Ally Hogg, Scott Lawson, Richard Mayhew, George McGuigan, David Nelson, Sean Robinson, Alex Rogers, Daniel Temm, Kane Thompson, Taione Vea, Rob Vickers, Will Welch, Jon Welsh, Mark Wilson, Scott Wilson, Will Witty
**Backs** – Belisario Agulla, Tom Catterick, Ruaridh Dawson, Mike Delany, Simon Hammersley, Chris Harris, Zach Kibirige, Dan Marshall, Tom Penny, Adam Powell, Adam Redman, Juan Pablo Socino, Alex Tait, Tane Takulua, Ruki Tipuna, Marcus Watson, Craig Willis, Micheal Young
