HAMMERSLEY
Ultra-confident Newcastle target play-offs after 5-game win streak
SIMON Hammersley insists there is a real belief within the Newcastle squad that a Champions Cup spot or even a play-off place are realistic goals.
Once the Falcons looked upon such lofty ambitions in vain hope rather than expectation, but a fivematch winning run in all competitions means confidence is running sky high at Kingston Park.
“Top four or top six looks achievable,” the 24-year-old said. “We’re fifth going into the New Year having played everybody and confidence is high. There’s an opportunity for us.”
Standing between the Falcons and their best run of results since they gained promotion back to the top flight in 2013 are the reigning champions and league leaders Exeter.
Hammersley added: “They’re on a great run and will come up here full of confidence. But, while we haven’t played quite as well as we’d have hoped in recent games, we’ve still won our last five and go into the game with lots of confidence ourselves.”
Hammersley lines up at full-back today for the tenth time in the league this season and knows Newcastle are in for a severe defensive test. On average this season, Exeter force Premiership opponents to make 174 tackles in a game.
“They’re playing a brand of rugby that no-one else can emulate in the Premiership at the moment. You know that you’re going to have to defend for long periods because they can easily keep hold of the ball for 20 to 30 phases and wear you down.
“Everyone is saying pretty much they can’t be beaten, but we’ll just throw everything at them and hope it will be a good day at the office.” The only time Newcastle defeated Exeter in the Premiership – 29-24 at Kingston Park in October 2014 – Hammersley was enjoying a breakthrough season.
Since then, the Yorkshire-born player, once compared to JPR Williams for his wiry frame and ability to ghost past defenders, has had his progress stymied by injuries. However, the former economics student is full of running now and enjoying his rugby.
“Last season I had a knee injury that kept me out for a long time so it’s nice to be playing every week and building some form up. We’re winning games and playing reasonably well so it’s been an enjoyable season up to now.”
Captain Will Welch and Sinoti Sinoti have both recovered from head knocks to take their place in the side, while the other changes see Michael Young and Josh Matavesi step in at scrum-half and centre.
Injuries sustained in last week’s bonus-point win over Leicester deprive the Chiefs of England trio Harry Williams, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jack Nowell.
Tomas Francis and Jack Yeandle come into the front row for Williams and Cowan-Dickie, while James Short is the man entrusted with filling the void left by Nowell on the wing. Other changes in personnel see Mitch Lees and Ollie Atkins come into the second row, Matt Kvesic and Sam Simmonds start in the back row, while there is a recall at scrum-half for Aussie Nic White and Ian Whitten in the centre.