Welch at full gallop again for trip down memory lane
WILL Welch is no stranger to injury, nor to Welford Road, the next venue on his comeback trail.
Concussion and ankle and calf injuries have prevented Welch taking to the field in anger since November last year so last Friday was a significant day on two counts.
The back rower played the full 80 minutes in the Falcons’ narrow defeat to Wasps, seven hours after birth of his second son Max.
Max is brother to 14month-old Rex, named after Welch’s grandad, Rex Skelton, who made nearly 200 appearances at tighthead for today’s opponents Leicester, from 1956 to 1970.
“Dean (Richards) knows him because he used to do some academy stuff and run the bar. One of my earliest memories was getting into the players’ bar as a young lad with him,” Welch recalled.
Welch’s mum grew up in Leicester and that side of the family still live there, but there’s no split loyalties for the Newcastle-born player who has put in a decade of service at the Falcons.
“They tried to push a Leicester shirt on me early doors but I was always a Newcastle supporter,” the proud Geordie said.
Welch expects a big challenge from a Tigers side that appear to be reverting to basics, and the bygone era of Richards and Skelthe in being a formidable force up front.
“They are going back to the old traditional Leicester with a strong set-piece and lineout and maul. They’re a big set of lads who are very abrasive and they’ve got half-backs that control the game really well,” Welch pointed out.
Yellow cards and penalties killed Newcastle last week so an improvement in that area will be needed if Newcastle are going to win at Welford Road for only the second time under former Tiger Richards.
Falcons surrendered an 18-6 half-time lead against Wasps, to lose 20-18.
Welsh says: “We got ourselves into a rut second half in terms of discipline and bits of inaccuracy when we had opportunities to relieve the pressure.
“I think we had 20 per cent possession in the second half and if you are doing that, then at some point they are probably going to sneak a few points, which they did.
“In terms of the energy of the lads, it was outstanding; we just need to tighten up in other areas.”
Welch admits his own energy levels were tested after so long out. “It was good to be back, my lungs didn’t enjoy it quite as much though, I never got my second wind. The body ached for a couple of days after it but it’s been good to get back on the horse and play 80. Hopefully, I can stay fit for a while now.” ton,