Connect with us

Premiership

Adam Radwan confirms his future

Published

on


Tuesday 7 February 2023

Flying winger Adam Radwan has pledged his future to Newcastle Falcons, with the prolific try-scorer signing a new three-year deal.

Radwan has captivated Falcons fans with 46 tries in 86 appearances, including a number of electrifying solo scores and gravity-defying finishes.

“I love Newcastle, I think it’s the best city around and I love being at the Falcons,” said the 25-year-old, who scored a hat-trick on his England debut.

“We’ve got a great group of lads, there’s a real drive to push the club forward and we’re committed to achieving things. I want to be part of that, and the fact it’s my home club in professional terms means it’s extra special.

“My family are close by, and the way the fans get behind me and the team up here is just outstanding. It was a relatively easy decision because of how tight the group is and how well we support each other. We train hard and have a lot of fun around it, and it’s just a good place to be.”

Born and raised in North Yorkshire, Radwan took his first steps in rugby with Middlesbrough RUFC, going on to play for Billingham RUFC as well as Hartlepool Sixth Form College before joining the Falcons’ academy.

A try-scoring sensation for Darlington Mowden Park in National One, Radwan responded to his release from Newcastle’s squad by quickly earning a return to the senior academy, establishing himself as one of the most feared attackers in the country.

With top-end pace and the ability to change direction at high speed, he rapidly became a fans’ favourite among the Falcons faithful.

“I do get a lot of support from the fans here, and it means the world to me,” said Radwan, who was named in England’s training squad earlier this season.

“The way I play the game is that I want to entertain people – I want them to get off their seats and I always enjoy going over and meeting the fans after a game.

“A lot of the young supporters in particular really get behind me, and that means so much because I think back to when I was a kid myself.

“I remember coming up here with Middlesbrough Rugby Club and being in the guard of honour for a Falcons game. I was actually showing the photo to Will Welch, Mark Wilson and Alex Tait the other day because they were all playing in the game, and I was just thinking back to how much I was in awe of them.

“It’s crazy to think how much things have changed since then in terms of me being a Falcons player, but I’ll always have it in the back of my mind in terms of what it means to the supporters and what a difference you can make for them. I’ve also had great support from my sponsors, the Blackbirds, who are a group of Falcons fans, and their backing has been outstanding.”

Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder greeted news of Radwan’s new deal, saying: “Adam is an incredible attacking threat who gets supporters out of their seat, and he’s pure box office when he gets the ball.

“He is continuing to work hard at all aspects of his game, and the passion he has for Newcastle Falcons is infectious.

“Our supporters absolutely love him, and you can understand why when you see some of the tries he has scored. He must be a defender’s nightmare, and it’s great news for the club that he has committed his long-term future to us.”

Having already taken a number of notable scalps this season the Falcons are well-placed for a strong finish to the season, with Radwan predicting a bright future for the Kingston Park club.

He said: “We’ve got a really exciting squad with a lot of good players coming through, and there’s a real ambition to move forward.

“I’m not saying we’re going to win everything overnight, but we’ve got the talent and the commitment to compete and win things. I want to do that with Newcastle, and I’m really excited about what the future holds for us.”

Newcastle Falcons season tickets for 2023-24 are now available to renew, with reduced prices and a whole host of added benefits. Click here for details.

Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby


Premiership

Springbok World Cup winner to join Bath Rugby

Published

on

Bath Rugby can confirm the signing of Rugby World Cup-winning international tighthead prop Thomas du Toit.

The physically menacing front row, who featured in the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup title-winning campaign in Japan, will join the Blue, Black and White after the 2023 Rugby World Cup along with British & Irish Lion and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell.  

A devastating force in the scrum, du Toit provides another strong ball carrying option for the club following on from the recruitment of Alfie Barbeary, Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence.

He has featured 15 times for the Springboks to date and also has the ability to play loosehead prop, as shown during his time at The Sharks. 

Head of Rugby Johann van Graan said: “Thomas is a winner. He has experience of winning at the highest level, having reached the pinnacle of world rugby with the Springboks. 

“He is a world-class operator at scrum time. There are not many players in the world who can play on both sides of the scrum to an international standard, maintain control and have destructive power. He is another player we have added to our squad who also possesses fantastic carrying ability to get his side over the gainline.

“Thomas is a fantastic leader having been captain of The Sharks and South Africa A and we are delighted he has chosen Bath to continue his rugby journey.”



Hailing from Paarl Boys’ High, du Toit was a roaring presence as a ball-carrier and a scrummager in his teens, earning South Africa Schools caps in 2013. 

A year later he moved from Western Province to The Sharks in what proved to be a mammoth year as he represented his country at the Under-20 Junior World Championship, finishing as a runner-up, before earning his first Super Rugby caps.

Since then, the behemoth prop has developed into a world-class operator, playing for the Springboks during their 2019 Rugby World Cup title-winning campaign, just a year after his international debut against Wales. He has also grown into a leader which has seen him captain The Sharks and South Africa ‘A’.

Du Toit, who is a Sharks centurion and is also capped by the Barbarians, has experience of playing outside of South Africa, joining Munster for a brief stint in 2016.

The 27-year-old said: “When I spoke to Johann and heard his vision for Bath, I was excited and knew it was the place I wanted to be. 

“I want to challenge myself and develop my game in an environment which has a desire to progress and achieve.

“Everyone talks about how iconic a place The Rec is to play at and I’ve heard that supporters pack it out every time which is special. I can’t wait to meet everyone and contribute to the club’s future success.”


SEASON TICKET RENEWAL WINDOW NOW OPEN

It’s time to ‘Come together for Bath’ as the renewal window for 2023/24 season is open. Now is your opportunity to purchase at our lowest price in the earlybird window, saving you up to 30% compared to buying on a match-by-match basis!

Join Thomas, Finn, Ollie, Alfie, Ted and more at The Rec next season!

MORE INFORMATION


 

Content & Images from – Bath Rugby


Continue Reading

Premiership

Skosan to leave Saints at the end of the season

Published

on

Northampton Saints can today confirm that Courtnall Skosan will leave the Club at the end of the 2022/23 season. The winger – who has scored 19 tries in Black, Green and Gold – departs the Club after making 37 appearances in a Saints shirt to date.“Courtnall is a very good man and I feel very strongly about him and his time at the Club,” said Saints’ Director of Rugby Phil Dowson.

“It’s fair to say Courtnall’s made a significant impact on the field too, his ability to score tries has been an incredible asset but his work rate in all the other areas of his game is just as impressive.

“He is an absolute professional and I know he will continue to give his all as we fight for a play-off place, after that Courtnall will leave with our very best wishes.”

Joining Saints from South African side Lions, Skosan arrived in Northampton with 12 Springbok caps to his name, as well as over 100 appearances across the Super Rugby and Currie Cup competitions with the Lions.

The winger also played for South Africa at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2011, and South Africa ‘A’ in 2016, before his full international debut for the Springboks in 2017. 

And Skosan hit the ground running after touching down in Northampton – with the 31-year-old scoring an impressive hat-trick of tries on debut against Worcester Warriors in 2021 before adding a further ten tries in his first term.

The former Springbok has made 16 appearances so far this season and having added a further six tries to his tally already, is determined to end this term positively.

Skosan said: “Thank you to Saints’ management, players, and staff for the last two seasons. And to the fans – thank you for the support. You really are a force to be reckoned with, there’s no better feeling than to play in front of a packed Franklin’s Gardens. 

“For now, though, I’m looking forward to finishing this season off on a high. God bless.”

Content & Images from – Northampton Saints Rugby


Continue Reading

Premiership

Gloucester Rugby sign Cardiff star

Published

on

Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of centre Max Llewellyn, who will arrive at Kingsholm this summer ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Llewellyn, who qualifies for both Wales and England, moves to the Cherry & Whites from United Rugby Championship side Cardiff Rugby, where he has made 40 appearances, scoring five tries.

The 24-year-old also spent time with Cardiff RFC in the Welsh Premiership and represented Wales U20s 14 times between 2018 and 2019.

At 6’5’’ and 105kg, Llewellyn brings a significant physical presence into Gloucester’s midfield options.

Max comes from impressive rugby stock, his father, Gareth Llewellyn, having won 92 caps for Wales.

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach, George Skivington, says the young centre is a welcome addition to the squad.

“Max is a young player that has a huge amount of potential and we’re excited about him seeing him in Cherry & White. He’s been really impressive for Cardiff over the last couple of seasons and we know he’s relishing the prospect of challenging himself in the Gallagher Premiership.

“He’s obviously a big lad and he enjoys that physical side of the game but that’s not the only string to his bow.

“Max will have some experienced Premiership backs to learn from here in addition to the coaching staff, so he’s in a great place to develop, and we’re looking forward to seeing him in Cherry & White.”

“I’m really excited to be coming to Gloucester” commented Llewellyn.

“It’s always been an ambition of mine to play in the Premiership and to do that for a club like Gloucester, it’s something I’m really looking forward to.

“I was fortunate enough to play at Kingsholm in pre-season and the atmosphere there was amazing; it’s somewhere you look forward to playing every week.”

Max is in for 2023/24, are you? Get your 2023/24 Club Membership before 5pm today (Monday 20 March) HERE to secure your early bird discount.

Content & Images from – Gloucester Rugby


Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending