Lockwood can’t wait to get stuck in to Grenoble
SAM LOCKWOOD admits his first taste of European rugby was no more than a fire-fighting exercise, a role he has performed for real in one of his former jobs.
Newcastle lost 45-0 – the first time they have failed to score a point in any competition for nearly three years – in their opening Challenge Cup fixture.
And former fireman Lockwood, a second-half replacement, was powerless prevent a scratch Falcons side crashing and burning at the Liberty Stadium.
“I played about 35 minutes and it was a tough game to try and change much,” said Lockwood, who is due to become a father for the first time in just over a week. “I just came in and tried to do what I do, which is be physical in defence and try and lock down the set piece.
“It was really disappointing because everyone on that pitch wants to play in the Premiership and be involved in what people view as the first team. It was disappointing to be beaten by such a large margin because we did start the game quite well but then it got away from us, which was a bit disheartening.
“But we’ve bounced back from a big defeat against Bath with a good performance the week after, and that’s what we’ll be looking to do again, especially at home. You need to win your home games if you want to progress in Europe.”
Lockwood, 28, makes his first Newcastle start against Grenoble today after only getting limited game time in the Premiership.
“I was due to get my first start earlier in the season, against Leicester, but picked up a knock in training which was obviously disappointing. Thankfully I’ve got another opportunity this weekend,” he said.
“You always hear about how the French like to scrummage but it’s something I like doing too, and I am looking forward to having a go at their pack.”
A late starter to professional rugby, Lockwood spent his late teens as a firefighter in Suffolk before heading north.
He was picked up by Leeds Carnegie while studying in the city and then moved on to Jersey, where, under the watchful eye of scrum guru, Steve Boden, he developed into the best loose-head in the Championship.
“I owe Steve a lot, he put a lot of work into me in the two-and-a-half years there. He’s gone over to Yorkshire and they are six from six and I’d imagine his influence in the set piece is massive for them as it was for myself.
“It’s taken me a bit of time to get to the top flight but now I am here, I intend to make the most of it.”
Captain Will Welch is one of ten changes to the Falcons lineup as boss Richards looks to get a kick-start for when the Premiership resumes.
He said: “We have a far more experienced side out than we did down at the Ospreys. For us, the Premiership is our bread and butter and the Chellenge Cup is useful in driving competition for places.”