Kingston Park needs a revolving door fitted to the home changing rooms given the massive turnover of players over the past few years.
Tough season ahead for the Falcons
Kingston Park needs a revolving door fitted to the home changing rooms given the massive turnover of players over the past few years.
This summer has seen just one shy of a full team arrive, while 12 have left, as Alan Tait looks to shape the squad ahead of his first full season.
However Tait perhaps should heed the lessons of his predecessor Steve Bates, who brought in 16 players ahead of last season and ultimately struggled.
Tait is clearly trying to make his mark on the Falcons side, but the quality of those leaving look to dwarf those coming in. A total of 10 players have come from below top-flight level.
Losses
There is no questioning the class of Ally Hogg and Andrew Henderson, while Jeremy Manning has proved to be a valuable squad member at Munster and Tim Ryan has impressed in France.
However Carl Hayman, Mark Sorenson, Adam Balding and Peter Browne are big losses from the pack, while the pace of Tom Biggs and guile of Rob Miller will weaken the backs.
The Falcons will be hoping the hunger of the likes of Luke Eves, Redford Pennycook and Luke Fielden to succeed in the top-flight can drive them forward.
Newcastle's home form last season was woeful - just two wins and three draws from 11 league games - and they will need to improve on that if they are to avoid being dragged in to the relegation fight.
Skysports.com prediction: It won't be a popular decision among the Falcons faithful but it is difficult not to fear for the side this year. Their home form was particularly poor last season, while the comings and goings is enough to make you dizzy. Tait faces an uphill battle to keep the side in the top flight and they risk following Worcester into the Championship.
12th.
