Newcastle Falcons - 4th

STORY OF THE SEASON: An early run of four wins out of five including an opening day victory over Worcester and away wins at Sale and Bath made it quite clear that Falcons would not be involved in any relegation fight and that they were aiming much higher. A defeat at Exeter heralded a run of three defeats on the trot but they got back to winning ways at Saints in Round 10 and that signalled the start of a gradual climb into play-off contention with a home win against Exeter in Round 13 really hinting at their potential. It was a tense run-in but that memorable last-minute win at Leicester, courtesy of a last minute try by Ally Hogg sealed the deal. STAND-OUTS: The world class strike power of Vereniki Gonova and Sinoti Sinoti out wide can terrify teams if Falcons can just secure enough possession for them, while Chris Harris has been the key man defensively. Up front Callum Green with 99 takes is second only to Chiefs’ Jonny Hill in the line-out stats. STRENGTHS: The firepower of Gonova and Sinoti would concern any opponents but Newcastle can hit you elsewhere. Their scrum is consistent, and their forwards are very strong on the driving maul. Scrumhalf Micky Young is one of the best tactical kickers in the league. The Falcons are also very strong mentally and if opponents don’t put them away they will strike back with a vengeance – seven road wins is testimony to that. WEAKNESSES: Newcastle can struggle to keep the scoreboard ticking and their total of 55 tries for the regular season is way down on the other three semi-finalists – Wasps are next with 76. Their defence can also become loose on occasions and they conceded more tries (60) than the other three teams – considerably more in the case of Chiefs (42) and Saracens (40). COACH’S CORNER: DOR Dean Richards has done an incredible nurturing job in bringing Newcastle on but he would be the first to point out that most of the actual coaching is done by John Wells, Dave Walder and Micky Ward. Together they make a formidable backroom team. MIRACLE MAN: Gonova, left, is capable of operating on another planet when the force is with him, reducing class players and great athletes to statues. PREDICTION: Exeter away will be one hurdle too many to clear this season but the Falcons will only get better.