Consistency is needed, says Falcons chief

DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Richards was disappointed with the Newcastle Falcons’ decisionmaking during their 30-13 loss to Leicester Tigers.

In front of a capacity crowd of 10,100, the hosts struggled to develop the offensive fluency that has characterised their earlyseason form.

The defeat was the club’s second in a row in the league after the Falcons lost 34-24 at champions Exeter.

But results this weekend mean Newcastle are fifth after a third of the season, as well as winning their opening two European games.

The club’s impressive start has captured the interest of both the national press and, more importantly, fans around the North East.

But after Sunday’s defeat Richards admitted his side played below what they are capable of.

He said: “We get fans queuing up week in, week out, but the disappointment is down to our inaccuracy in certain areas.

“We talk about it week in, week out and it’s repeated actions, it’s about going out there and doing it time and time again.

“Too often this week, we didn’t quite get it right.”

He added: “It was that consistency that we struggled with in the first half that we struggled with again in the second half.

“That was the disappointing thing, the lack of consistency in our decision-making and our inaccuracy, whether it be at the set-piece or otherwise.”

The Falcons struggled to make an impact against an impressive Leicester Tigers side who have now won their last five league games.

Richards won four league titles and two Heineken Cups as a coach with Leicester and thought the visitors played to the peak of their powers on Sunday.

Arguably England’s greatest ever number eight, Richards was particularly impressed by the way their forwards operated, giving George Ford the opportunity to dictate the attacking flow.

The Falcons now have another break from league action with the return of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Saturday sees Newcastle travel to face Wasps in their opener before hosting Cardiff Blues a week later.

And Richards is keen to give some of the fringe members of the squad a run-out in the two games.