Premiership
Adam Radwan confirms his future
Tuesday 7 February 2023
Flying winger Adam Radwan has pledged his future to Newcastle Falcons, with the prolific try-scorer signing a new three-year deal.
Radwan has captivated Falcons fans with 46 tries in 86 appearances, including a number of electrifying solo scores and gravity-defying finishes.
“I love Newcastle, I think it’s the best city around and I love being at the Falcons,” said the 25-year-old, who scored a hat-trick on his England debut.
“We’ve got a great group of lads, there’s a real drive to push the club forward and we’re committed to achieving things. I want to be part of that, and the fact it’s my home club in professional terms means it’s extra special.
“My family are close by, and the way the fans get behind me and the team up here is just outstanding. It was a relatively easy decision because of how tight the group is and how well we support each other. We train hard and have a lot of fun around it, and it’s just a good place to be.”
Born and raised in North Yorkshire, Radwan took his first steps in rugby with Middlesbrough RUFC, going on to play for Billingham RUFC as well as Hartlepool Sixth Form College before joining the Falcons’ academy.
A try-scoring sensation for Darlington Mowden Park in National One, Radwan responded to his release from Newcastle’s squad by quickly earning a return to the senior academy, establishing himself as one of the most feared attackers in the country.
With top-end pace and the ability to change direction at high speed, he rapidly became a fans’ favourite among the Falcons faithful.
“I do get a lot of support from the fans here, and it means the world to me,” said Radwan, who was named in England’s training squad earlier this season.
“The way I play the game is that I want to entertain people – I want them to get off their seats and I always enjoy going over and meeting the fans after a game.
“A lot of the young supporters in particular really get behind me, and that means so much because I think back to when I was a kid myself.
“I remember coming up here with Middlesbrough Rugby Club and being in the guard of honour for a Falcons game. I was actually showing the photo to Will Welch, Mark Wilson and Alex Tait the other day because they were all playing in the game, and I was just thinking back to how much I was in awe of them.
“It’s crazy to think how much things have changed since then in terms of me being a Falcons player, but I’ll always have it in the back of my mind in terms of what it means to the supporters and what a difference you can make for them. I’ve also had great support from my sponsors, the Blackbirds, who are a group of Falcons fans, and their backing has been outstanding.”
Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder greeted news of Radwan’s new deal, saying: “Adam is an incredible attacking threat who gets supporters out of their seat, and he’s pure box office when he gets the ball.
“He is continuing to work hard at all aspects of his game, and the passion he has for Newcastle Falcons is infectious.
“Our supporters absolutely love him, and you can understand why when you see some of the tries he has scored. He must be a defender’s nightmare, and it’s great news for the club that he has committed his long-term future to us.”
Having already taken a number of notable scalps this season the Falcons are well-placed for a strong finish to the season, with Radwan predicting a bright future for the Kingston Park club.
He said: “We’ve got a really exciting squad with a lot of good players coming through, and there’s a real ambition to move forward.
“I’m not saying we’re going to win everything overnight, but we’ve got the talent and the commitment to compete and win things. I want to do that with Newcastle, and I’m really excited about what the future holds for us.”
Newcastle Falcons season tickets for 2023-24 are now available to renew, with reduced prices and a whole host of added benefits. Click here for details.
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that fly-half George Ford suffered a tear to his right quad during the early stages of the Gallagher Premiership round two game at Saracens on Saturday. Following a positive consultation with a specialist it was decided that George does not require surgery and he will now begin his rehab ahead of a busy period for club and country.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Alex Sanderson has made six changes to his starting XV to face Gloucester Rugby in the first game of the season under the Salford Stadium Friday night lights, while summer signing Le Roux Roets appears in a matchday squad for the first time (Discovery+, 7.45pm KO).
Josh Beaumont, Ernst van Rhyn and Rouban Birch come into the pack following the round two defeat at Saracens, while Sam Bedlow, Will Addison and Arron Reed are picked in the backs to face George Skivington’s men.
In total, 12 of the XV and 19 in the matchday 23 have come through or spent time in the Sharks Academy.
The Sharks front-row remains intact from the trip to the StoneX as England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie lines up once again between 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour and loosehead Si McIntyre.
Al has picked a towering second-row as Ben Bamber teams up with Josh Beaumont.
With Ben and Tom Curry as well as JL du Preez all missing as they undergo their return to play protocols following head injuries, Ernst van Rhyn returns alongside fellow flanker Sam Dugdale and Birch at number 8.
Gus Warr starts again at scrum-half but with George Ford injured (quad) he’ll have skipper Rob du Preez for company at half-back. After coming on as a replacement against Saracens, Bedlow starts alongside Addison, who makes his first start since re-joining the club in the summer.
Speedster Arron Reed makes his first appearance of the season alongside Tom Roebuck and full-back Joe Carpenter.
Hooker Ethan Caine, and props Tumy Onasanya and James Harper cover the front row from the replacements bench with England U20s lock Tom Burrow and summer signing Le Roux Roets covering the rest of the forwards. Nye Thomas, Tom Curtis and Waisea Nayacalevu cover the backs.
Sale Sharks starting XV:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Will Addison, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Josh Beaumont 6. Ernst van Rhyn, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Rouban Birch.
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. James Harper, 19. Tom Burrow, 20. Le Roux Roets, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Waisea Nayacalevu.
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Injuries have forced Alex Sanderson to make three changes to his starting XV to face Saracens at the StoneX on Saturday (3.05pm KO, Saturday 28th September, live on TNT Sports).
Si McIntyre replaces last week’s Player of the Match Bevan Rodd (hamstring), while Ben Bamber and Sam Dugdale come in for Ernst van Rhyn and Tom Curry who are both undergoing their return to play protocols after leaving the field during the round one win over Harlequins.
With Sam Bedlow returning to the bench to make a 5-3 split, the matchday squad features 16 players who have come through or been involved with the Sale Sharks Academy.
In the front-row, England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie lines up between 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour and returning loosehead McIntyre.
Al has picked a towering second-row as Bamber teams up with Hyron Andrews.
Openside flanker Ben Curry captains the side again and he and Dugdale will pack down either side of Jean-Luc du Preez at number 8.
The backs are unchanged from the narrow win over Quins, with Gus Warr starting again at scrum-half alongside fly-half George Ford, and Rob du Preez and Waisea Nayacalevu outside them in the centres.
Alex has picked a familiar back three once again with Tom O’Flaherty, Tom Roebuck and full-back Joe Carpenter hoping to provide the spark.
The replacements bench is an exclusively Sharks Academy affair with hooker Ethan Caine, and props Tumy Onasanya and James Harper covering the front row. Josh Beaumont and Rouban Birch make up the rest of the forwards, while Nye Thomas, Bedlow and Will Addison cover the backs.
Sale Sharks Starting lineup:
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Rob du Preez, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. George Ford, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ben Bamber, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Sam Dugdale, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Jean-Luc du Preez.
Replacements:
16. Ethan Caine, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. James Harper, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Rouban Birch, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Sam Bedlow, 23. Will Addison.
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