Newcastle Falcons have confirmed their playing squad and management team for the 2017-18 season.
The playing group includes 13 new signings: Ryan Burrows (Yorkshire Carnegie), Cameron Cowell (England 7s), Tevita Cavubati (Worcester Warriors), Trevor Davison (Blaydon), Toby Flood (Toulouse), Gary Graham (Jersey), Joel Matavesi (Redruth), Josh Matavesi (Ospreys), Sami Mavinga (Lyon), Maxime Mermoz (Leicester Tigers), Adam Radwan (Darlington Mowden Park), Sam Stuart (Richmond) and DTH van der Merwe (Scarlets), while England Under-18s centre Charlie Wilson has been promoted to the senior academy squad.
The only change to the coaching set-up is the promotion of Dave Walder to head coach, with John Wells taking up the position of defence coach.
Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “It was highlighted when Dave started with us what his role would evolve into, but it was important that he served his apprenticeship as backs and attack coach prior to stepping up into the head coach position.
“John was aware of this, understands the decision and remains a very important part of our coaching team. It has been a seamless transition and everyone here is hugely excited by the season to come.”
The Falcons are aiming to build on last season’s eighth-place finish, their highest Aviva Premiership placing in 11 seasons. Season ticket memberships are already at a nine-year high, with the league campaign starting at home to Worcester Warriors on Friday September 1.
Season ticket memberships are available by calling 0871 226 6060, with adult prices starting from just £339 seating and £198 standing. Under-11s go free (up to two per paying adult), this offer extended to under-15s for those children registered with an RFU-affiliated club.
NEWCASTLE FALCONS FIRST TEAM SQUAD: Belisario Agulla, Ryan Burrows, Tevita Cavubati, Callum Chick, Nick Civetta, Kyle Cooper, Andrew Davidson, Trevor Davison, Toby Flood, Opeti Fonua, Vereniki Goneva, Gary Graham, Calum Green, Simon Hammersley, Chris Harris, Joel Hodgson, Ally Hogg, Zach Kibirige, Nilu Latu, Scott Lawson, Sam Lockwood, Joel Matavesi, Josh Matavesi, Sami Mavinga, Maxime Mermoz, Evan Olmstead, Harrison Orr, Tom Penny, Sean Robinson, Sinoti Sinoti, Juan Pablo Socino, Santiago Socino, Ben Sowrey, Sam Stuart, Alex Tait, Sonatane Takulua, DTH Van der Merwe, Rob Vickers, Dominic Waldouck, Will Welch, Jon Welsh, Craig Willis, David Wilson, Mark Wilson, Scott Wilson, Will Witty, Glen Young, Michael Young.
SENIOR ACADEMY SQUAD: Jamie Blamire, Adam Brocklebank, Brett Connon, Cameron Cowell, Max Davies, Ruaridh Dawson, Adam Radwan, Ben Stevenson, Simon Uzokwe, Josh Williams, Charlie Wilson.
MANAGEMENT TEAM: Dean Richards (director of rugby), Dave Walder (head coach), John Wells (defence coach), Micky Ward (forwards coach), Scott MacLeod (lineout coach), Mark Laycock (skills coach and academy manager), John Stokoe (team manager), Kevin McShane (head of athletic performance), Lewis Williams (strength and conditioning coach), Tim Payne (strength and conditioning coach), Steve Bremner (head performance analyst), Matt Hodkinson (performance analyst), Simon Pope (head physiotherapist), Stephen Miller (physiotherapist), Toby Banfield (sports rehab specialist), Rachel Scurfield (lead doctor), Dean Shipsey (matchday doctor), Andy Ramshaw (matchday doctor), James Ponton (academy head coach), Aiden McNulty (academy coach), Jack Hayes (academy performance analyst), Phil Maguire (head academy strength and conditioning coach), Martin McKiernan (academy strength and conditioning coach), Dave Rusby (academy physiotherapist), Kyle Mortland (assistant academy physiotherapist), Roz Lyall (academy and medical administrator).