>> Blindside revelations

DEAN RICHARDS has sent out an SOS for injury replacements in a bid to save Newcastle Falcons from a potential drop.

Even though there is a chance that the Premiership will be ring fenced Richards, right, isn’t taking any chances as the league’s basement dwellers.

A player who could be heading to Kingston Park on a short-term deal is Philip van der Walt, a South African No.8 who can also play flanker. Van der Walt, 29, right, plays Super Rugby for the Sharks and in Japan for Cannon Eagles. He played in Europe earlier in his career, spending a season with Biarritz.