Connon aims to keep up good Falcons work
FLY-HALF Brett Connon will be a Newcastle Falcons player next season, having signed a contract extension to remain at Kingston Park Stadium.
The 24-year-old last weekend became the first Falcons player to kick seven conversions in a Gallagher Premiership match – the Carlisle native recording 100% goal-kicking stats for the second week running.
Connon has amassed 188 points in his 45 first-team outings, saying: “I am really happy to have signed with the club for another year.
“I have had a lot of game time this season – more than I could ever have hoped for really – and I have enjoyed it.”
Kicking eight from eight in the 52-27 triumph, Connon said: “We are building as a squad and we are slowly getting there after a good year in the Championship leading into this season.
“We know we need to get back into the kind of form we were in at the beginning of the season on a more regular basis but it is just nice to know I will be a part of that.”
He added: “From a personal point of view it was also great to be reaching those sorts of levels, because even when we were winning games at the start of the season my own individual performances were not necessarily where I wanted them to be – off the kicking tee especially.
“I expect my level to be much closer to where I was against London Irish and if I can be doing that on a consistent basis then the team will be in a much better overall position.”
Keen to maintain that momentum during the remaining four games of the season as he prepares for Monday night’s visit of Northampton Saints, Connon said: “We are getting there as a team and we all share the supporters’ frustrations in knowing we have missed out on a few wins or a few try bonus points during the season when it was within our reach.”
Monday’s visit of Northampton sees a welcome return of supporters, with a maximum of 1,750 permitted to attend the Kingston Park test event.
It represents a major milestone in the return to normality, the former Ireland Under-20s’ star saying: “It has been massively different having empty grounds for the whole season and as much as it has been great to have the games played I don’t think anyone has enjoyed the complete lack of an atmosphere around the stadium. “The reason we enjoy playing is to hear that crowd involved in the game and feeding off that energy. “It is the most enjoyable thing about being a rugby player and I have missed it so much you would not believe. “Playing a Premiership game on a Monday night is going to be a bit weird - but if it means we can get some supporters back then it is more than worth it.”
I have had a lot of game time this season – more than I could ever have hoped for really Brett Connon