Fixture list serves up perfect start – Dean
Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards is looking forward to beginning the new Aviva Premiership season with home comforts as his Falcons side host Gloucester Rugby on Friday 16 October.
Following the eagerly anticipated announcement of the new season’s fixtures, the Falcons boss is welcoming the opportunities offered by starting the league campaign at Kingston Park.
Richards said: “It is always an exciting day when the fixtures are released, and the realisation that the start of the season is not a million miles away starts to kick in for the players, coaches and off-field staff.”
“Starting at home shortly after the city has hosted its Rugby World Cup games gives us almost a perfect start to the new season.”
“We had two very entertaining games against Gloucester last season and I would expect the opening game to be more of the same.”
With a number of big clashes to look forward to, an immediate stand out comes in the shape of Wasps in March 2016, which subject to television requirements, is in line to offer another Easter Sunday extravaganza and the associated big vocal crowd in support.
Richards added, “Big crowds at Kingston Park create a great atmosphere that the boys play off as we saw last season and the marketing team here tell me that Easter games are good for getting people down, so I hope that is the case this season.”
“There is plenty of hard work to do to make sure we are ready for the start of the Premiership season.
We have made a good start and I’m looking forward to when we start our playing programme, with the Georgian national team first up.”