Why Newcastle and England should follow this Bear
MARK Wilson has bear-like strength, the sort of hold that is almost impossible to break once he latches on. What’s more he could not have a better mentor than Newcastle Falcons boss Dean Richards when it comes to making the most of it. If sheer grappling power is one attribute that England and Newcastle flanker Wilson shares with the former Lions and England No.8, the other is the uncanny instinct to be in the right place at the right time, sniffing out opportunities to make telling contributions in attack and defence.
The difference is that where Richards used to cut corners because speed was not his stock in trade, Wilson is every bit the finely-honed athlete. The rugged blindside’s influence in Newcastle’s impressive start to the season with the club in third place in the Premiership after four wins from six – the only defeats coming against Saracens and Exeter – earns a ringing endorsement from Richards.
“He is an incredible athlete who is extremely strong. He is very hard to get off the ball. His big work-on is when to go in, and when not – and he has improved massively when it comes to not going after lost causes.”
If Wilson’s playing credentials have played a significant role in Newcastle’s rise up the ranks, Richards contends that his character outweighs it. “I like straight-talking people, and Mark’s a no-nonsense guy who puts his head on the line for the team. He’s every coach’s dream.”
On top of that there is an avalanche of match statistics from last season that simply cannot lie when it comes to work-rate. Last season Wilson was the Premiership’s top tackler for the third year in succession with a record 258 tackles, not to mention scoring six tries and making nine clean breaks.
These qualities helped Wilson win effectively with teenage openside Tom Curry, homing in on the ball to win crucial turn-overs or penalties from the youngster’s chop tackles. Although Chris Robshaw returned to start the second Test, Wilson made another notable contribution from the bench, and, by the end of the tour, England coach Eddie Jones was sufficiently impressed to name-check the Newcastle man. Jones paid Wilson the highest tribute in his back row book by comparing him with Robshaw, saying that England had discovered another selfless “glue” player in the same mould. This made Wilson’s exclusion from the first England squad of the season a surprise omission. However, if Jones is looking for resilience, and an unbending sense of purpose, it is there in the Newcastle blindside’s attitude to not making the cut.
Wilson acknowledges that it gave him a bit of a jolt, but that he has raised his game since then.
“Obviously, I was very disappointed, but I had no qualms because I had a slow start in the first two or three games – and that was my feedback (from the England coaches). However, the last four games I hope I’ve got back to my form, and feel I’ve been playing well.
“The England coaches and Dean identified the same areas. Over your career you have occasional dips. I don’t think I played badly at the start of the season, but was just not quite at my best.”
Richards says that while the 6ft 3in, 17st (108kg) Wilson is in good company he has not always had the recognition he deserves: “The back row is a really competitive area and England have a lot of very good players. Mark is a six who can play seven and eight, and Jack Clifford and Chris Robshaw are the same. They didn’t go down Mark’s route when that initial squad was picked, but over the last four games he has really improved.”
Richards adds that he believes Wilson has made enough of a statement to earn a recall when the England squad for the Autumn series against Argentina, Australia and Samoa is announced on Thursday.
“I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t make it, but what Eddie Jones looks for may not be what we at Newcastle look for. Some players appear to have curried favour over a number of years, while we felt Wilson has consistently performed over other players in the position. A lot of our conditioning reflects the need to adapt to a fast pitch like ours, and Mark’s got all those attributes.” Wilson says that being in the England training environment in Argentina was an eye-opener for him. “It was really good. I enjoyed the environment. It was intense on the training field, but also the England camp was a good, positive place. The big thing I took away from the tour was the fine detail – as well as the maximum effort that everyone put in to get the result we wanted.”
Wilson has come a long way since starting at Kendal in his native Cumbria, and joining the Newcastle academy while taking a sports science degree at Northumbria University. After joining the Falcons on a senior contract in 2010 Richards says Wilson’s progress has been inexorable.
“When I first arrived at the club it was in a bit of strife and had been relegated, but Mark, and others, got a lot of confidence playing on a regular
“It was intense on the training field, but also the England camp was a good, positive place”
basis in a Championship-winning side. The beauty for Mark is that in the Premiership the following year he kept on improving.”
Richards continues: “Then the salary cap changed, and we were chasing the impossible dream. However, now it’s slowed down, and Newcastle have been able to show our worth thanks to players like Mark.”
Wilson repays the compliment saying that Richards has galvanised the Falcons. “He took over the team when me and (current captain) Will Welch were youngsters coming through. Dean is a winner, and that’s what rubs off. He’s given us belief that we are good players in a good team.”
Wilson, who is now in his prime at 28, says those Tests in Argentina have opened his eyes to what he is capable of achieving: “As a player you always have to have belief that you can play at that level – and it gave me confidence that I could. It was a great booster.”
Ask Wilson what he considers to be his point of difference and ball-winning comes out on top.
“The reason why I was chosen was my ability at the breakdown – but you have to show that physical dominance at the clear-out as well, and also on the carry.”
For the moment Wilson is concentrating on putting those skills in practice for Newcastle. The push to capitalise on their early season gains is on in the Premiership with a home game to come against Leicester next weekend, followed by Wasps away and Gloucester at Kingston Park. There is also a European Challenge Cup doubleheader against main Pool 1 rivals Bordeaux-Begles this weekend – with the return leg on December 9.
Wilson says that the advance made this season is the fruit of hard labour: “It’s a build on of what we’ve had over a couple of seasons. Last season was the kick-start, and now we’ve had our most (early) wins for 15 seasons.”
He adds: “We were genuinely disappointed when we only got a bonus point at Exeter a fortnight ago, and it was just the same when we won at Bath. In years gone by if we had beaten Bath away from home there would have been a party atmosphere afterwards, but this time we were more matter-of-fact about it because we had the belief beforehand that we could win.”
Wilson says the Newcastle renaissance has been a squad effort, with some players making an indispensable contribution. “The guys who stand out are players like Will Welch. He puts his body on the line and is a great inspiration and leader – I really like playing in the same side as him. There are also promising youngsters like No.8 Callum Chick, plus core players like Rob Vickers (200 plus games), Alex Tait, and then the likes of Toby Flood, Joel Hodgson and Mickey Young coming back, and Vereniki Goneva joining. It’s a real good mix, and I don’t want to put anyone down by missing them out!”
Given that the Falcons are flying, I asked Wilson if, in hindsight, he would rather have had Saracens at Kingston Park in the league instead of in front of 6,000 fans in Philadelphia?
He treads the middle path: “Look, it was a great experience to go to America. It might be the only chance to do so as a player – but I was disappointed with the result. I know a lot of the fans were disgruntled at losing a home game, especially against Saracens. However, this is a tough league wherever you play, and I understand why they want to promote the sport overseas.”
However, Wilson is clear-cut about his preference for the new 3G artificial playing surface installed at Kingston Park three years ago. “I know there is a massive debate, and a lot of players don’t like 3G pitches. I played ‘A’ team games for Newcastle on an all-weather pitch, so I enjoy it.”
He continues: “In terms of what it’s done, our pitch was horrendous – a terrible surface, terrible for spectators, and terrible to play on very often. It used to be a bog, and if there was heavy rainfall you knew you were in for a nightmare afternoon. It’s not great when your own coaches referred to parts of the pitch as ‘porridge corner’!”
Wilson sums-up: “With the players we have brought in, for the last four seasons it’s been great for us. I enjoy it because when you put your foot down there is a spring in your step.”
Suggest to Wilson, who is in his eighth season with the Falcons, that he has the hallmarks of a one-clubman about him, and he responds: “The way the club is going I want to progress with it. I’ve been with Newcastle through relegation and promotion, and during that time we were always scrapping. Now I’d like to see us challenging for silverware. The building blocks are in place in terms of the coaches, the squad, and the support base.
“Look at what’s happened at Exeter. We are a different club, but you can still learn from what they do successfully. Things have happened gradually with them, and likewise at Newcastle. It’s just a case of making sure that you progress every season.”
Richards says that Wilson puts that mantra into practice every time he puts on his boots. “He is always learning, striving to be a better player, while other guys sit on their laurels and think they’ve made it. Mark improves and adapts accordingly – that is the nature of the beast.”
It’s also why Mark Wilson could become a regular England fixture as the build-up to the 2019 World Cup gathers pace.
“I was chosen for my ability at the breakdown - but you have to show physical dominance at the clear-out as well”