Epi - Back Among the Backs?

By Ridley
August 23 2002

Epi Taione is named among the backs in the Falcons squad to take on Edinburgh. It may be a mistake or it may be that new forwards coach Andrew Blades has made his first big decision. We'll find out soon enough.

It's a strong looking Falcons squad which will only be missing Dave Richardson and Matt Wilkinson with Richard Arnold also doubtful with a shoulder knock.

Falcons: Walder,Taione, Botham, Stephenson, Godman, May, Shaw, Noon, Wilkinson, Grindal, Charlton, Ward, Makin, Thompson, Brotherstone, Peel, Isaacson, Hurter, Grimes, Vyvyan, Hamilton, Springgay, Devonshire, Dowson, Dunbar, Otuvaka.

Jonny starts his first game and the new skipper will be keen for his squad to put the memory of the lacklustre livener against Borders behind them.

The front row with Brotherstone in it looks srong enough, Grimes and Vyvyan in the second row are as good as most, but its the back row which looks somewhat weak withput the name of Arnold or Mower in there.

Any prospect of Andrew Mower and Rob Andrew seeing eye to eye look to have completely disappeared. The official word is that the openside is still training with Falcons and a "squad member" while being available for transfer. I gather the reality is that he is no longer seen at KP.

It would not have surprised me if he had been in the Edinburgh line up to face us. But they do have plenty of talent of their own including Todd Blackadder, Martin Leslie, Scott Murray, Simon Taylor, Duncan Hodge and Craig Joiner.

It will be a hard test.