Hogg signs on to help Falcons’ revival
STALWART Newcastle back rower Ally Hogg believes the club’s startling summer transfer activity will kick-start a return to European rugby’s top table.
Tyneside’s revivalists came within one win of Champions Cup qualification last season before finishing eighth and former Scotland No.8 Hogg expects the arrival of Test trio Toby Flood, DTH van der Merwe and French ace Maxime Mermoz to up the ante.
The Falcons kick off the season at home to Worcester Warriors, and Hogg, who revealed he is extending his Kingston Park stay to an eighth year, told The
Rugby Paper: “I’ve signed for another year and it’s obviously pleasing to be getting some top guys in like Toby, Maxime and DTH.
“You want to play with the best players and somebody like Maxime has got a very good track record with France and all the clubs he’s played at, while Toby and DTH are proven players at international level who will add to our strength-in-depth.
“There’s been highs and lows at Newcastle since I signed in 2010, with relegation in 2012 a big low point. But there’s been steady improvement since then and we’ve built a team around a good core of people like Will Welch and Mark Wilson.
“We set out to reach the top six last season but fell just short after letting a few games slip, but the fact we came so close gave us a lot of encouragement. Confidence amongst the squad is growing and we know we can compete for that top six.
“There’s competition throughout the squad now and when you look at the quality of our wingers like Sinoti Sinoti, Niki Goneva, Marcus Watson, Zach Kibirige and DTH, if we can feed Mermoz as much as possible we’ll cause real damage in attack.”
Hogg reckons flanker Wilson’s call to England colours for the tour of Argentina has added to the lustre surrounding the club, adding: “I’m delighted for Mark, who doesn’t do the flashy stuff but plays to international standard every week.
“Now he’s been in that England environment he’ll really kick on and it’s good that Eddie Jones has seen him and now knows he can trust him. Hopefully, he’ll stay in the squad this autumn because that will
send out a message to all our guys.
“It’s great that Eddie is prepared to look outside the top four clubs and Will Welch is another who would be capable of making the step up. Will Witty, with his size and ability to get around the park, also possesses some serious Test potential.”
Meanwhile, Hogg, 34, is ready to take on a dual role after agreeing to succeed Micky Ward as director of rugby at National Two side Blaydon.
He explained: “I was attack coach at Blaydon last year and Wardy’s taken a step up at Newcastle so they asked if I wanted to do it.
“It was disappointing getting relegated last season but hopefully we can rebuild. Matt Thompson will be in charge of the forwards and Mark Wilson’s helping with our defence, so it’s a good opportunity to gain more coaching experience.
“I enjoy coaching and can combine it with playing, so I’ll see how it goes with a view to getting into the professional coaching environment.”