Aviva Premiership: Richards wants Falcons to implement new ideas

Dave Richards is eyeing Newcastle Falcons’s friendly against Bayonne as a vital chance to implement some of their new attacking ideas ahead of the Aviva Premiership campaign.

The Falcons have named a 25-man squad for the match in south-west France, including summer signings Rob Hawkins and Calum Green, as well as 7s stand outs Sean Brown, Simon Hammersley and Lee Smith.

We are looking at our own game and developing our own game and this is the first time we will be able to implement some of Dave Walder’s new ideas in attack

Dave Richards

Bayonne are set to start their domestic campaign next week – and Newcastle director of rugby Richard feels it is a vital chance to see how the squad is progressing ahead of the new season.

“It has been a long summer and the coaches and players have been working extremely hard to prepare for the new season and it will be good to get out onto the field and play a game,” Richards said.

“Bayonne are going to provide a bit of an unknown quantity, they have side a number of new players and are in a bit of a transition with the number of players they have signed. However we are looking at our own game and developing our own game and this is the first time we will be able to implement some of Dave Walder’s new ideas in attack.

“Playing a team like Bayonne is a benefit for us as we are playing quality opposition. They have some good players in their side and like all French sides; they operate a slightly different structure to their game and will attack you at virtually all elements of the game.”