Falcons can’t rest on their laurels – Hogg

ALLY Hogg has warned his teammates no one is guaranteed a spot in the new-look Newcastle Falcons’ starting XV.

With a stack of summer signings, the former Scotland star is braced for staunch competition for places this season.

The double-header against Doncaster and Nottingham was an physical demonstration of the depth now at the Falcons’ disposal.

Just shy of three complete Falcons teams took the field over the course of Saturday’s two friendlies.

Now it is up to director of rugby Dean Richards to identify the XV he believes gives Newcastle the best chance of building on last season’s eighth-place finish.

Hogg played 15 times last season and has been a valuable asset to the club since joining in 2010.

But he knows even a player with as much savvy and experience as himself will have to stay sharp this season or face a stint on the substitutes bench with so many players on the books.

The 34-year-old said: “You look at the strength in depth at every position and no one is really guaranteed a place.

“You’ve got good competition throughout the whole squad, everyone is going to have to play well to stay in the team.

“It doesn’t matter who you are – if you’re not playing well enough, there’s someone at your position who can step in and take your place.

“It’s up to you to be on the top of your game all the time.” ■■NEWCASTLE Falcons will open their Anglo-Welsh Cup campaign against Wasps at Ricoh Arena on November 4 (kick-off 3pm).

That will be followed by a home game against Cardiff Blues on Saturday November 11, with the 4.30pm kick-off following on from a TV screening of England’s match with Argentina.

Rounds three and four are yet to be confirmed pending TV picks, with round three seeing the Falcons travelling to Bath on the weekend of January 26/27/28.

The fourth and final round sees Newcastle at home to Gloucester on the weekend of February 2/3/4, the Falcons being placed in a group with Leicester Tigers, London Irish and Ospreys.

Both Anglo-Welsh Cup home games are included in the 2017-18 season ticket membership package. To book call 0871 226 6060.