Falcons’ camaraderie reminds me of Quins
Jon Newcombe talks to Nick Easter about his new job as Falcons defence coach
NICK EASTER is loving life in the north east in his new role as Newcastle defence coach, even though he has been denied a famous Geordie night out.
The thought of ‘old-school’ rugby types, Easter and Falcons DoR Dean Richards, hitting the Toon is enough to make the city’s publicans long for the day that the Covid restrictions are over.
And one can only imagine how big a party it will be if the Falcons go one better than their current position of second and emulate their only Premiership title win to date in 1998.
Should they imitate Rob Andrew’s heroes of yesteryear, Easter’s appointment will be seen as hugely influential in transforming them from relegation favourites to the kings of English rugby.
The Falcons’ defensive effort this season has been outstanding and 42-year-old Easter sees comparisons with the Harlequins title-winning side of 2012 that he was very much a part of, in terms of its collective desire within the squad.
Easter said: “I think going in there in pre-season was important, because a lot of the techniques and systems I use are very different to what they have had in the past. I did need that time to bed in and work with the players.
“To be fair, they are a fantastic group of boys, are very, very coachable and have a tremendous work ethic and ability to help each other out and work as a team, and that certainly makes it a lot easier.
“I think it is pretty in-built here. There are a lot of local guys, guys from just over the border, and guys that have been away and experienced other environments and come back – people like Micky Young and George McGuigan.
“If you are playing for something bigger than just the rugby you signed for i.e. your hometown, local area, or the boys you’ve known for a long time, it makes that bond even stronger.
“It reminds me a lot of the Championship-winning Harlequins side; we loved each other’s company and we had a clear identity of what each other was about and training reflected that.
“On the back of that, we had some really good socials, which obviously we’re not allowed at the moment, and we knew each other really well.
“It makes a big difference when you are willing to put it all in for each other out on the field. Rugby is an emotional game still. You can analyse until the cold light of day and yes, you have to work on tactics and improve technically but, ultimately, with the physical nature of the teamwork you need a big emotional buy-in to achieve success.”
Newcastle’s never-say-die spirit was never more evident than at the start of the season against Sale when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-minute try.
Easter says moments like Toby Flood’s winner are massive in the overall scheme of things.
“People talk about confidence, unity and environment and all that, but ultimately for you to get anywhere, those lastminute wins are probably the most valuable part of it.
“We know there is a performance to come first but everyone likes winning and you obviously enjoy it a lot more when you are winning. Those last-minute wins cement the seed you are trying to plant as to what you are about as a group.
“Hopefully, they are few and far between because otherwise it wouldn’t do the stress levels or the heart rate any good as a coach. When they come though, they mean a lot and as far as the growth of the team is concerned, they probably accelerate it as much as anything else.”
Talking to The Rugby Paper after another morning clearing the snow from the Kingston Park pitch, Londoner Easter is glad to have laid down some roots in the north east after months of tortuous commuting.
“I got the family up here the first week in Jan, and we are all settled in. It makes it a lot easier as I was doing that drive here and back twice a week beforehand, so I know the A1/M1 like the back of my hand, for sure!”
“It makes a big difference when you’re willing to put it all in for each other”