Diamond became the Falcons’ consultant director of rugby at the start of the year, the fifth person to lead the Premiership’s bottom, winless club in two years. He was confident they would not finish the campaign without a victory, but it did not materialise, although it should have against Leicester at Kingston Park.
Newcastle’s 40-point defeat last weekend to the team immediately above them in the table, Gloucester, meant their losing streak in the top flight stretched to 21 matches.
Their only success in the last 26 came at home to Gloucester in March last year and with a crop of young, homegrown players leaving for top four clubs in the close season, Diamond is facing the most formidable challenge of his coaching career.
The salary cap is going up to £6.4m next season, but Newcastle will be nowhere near the old mark of £5m and will rely on Diamond’s expertise in identifying players who will make a difference without blowing a hole in the budget.
He will look to turn Kingston Park into a ground where opponents are wary of treading. Newcastle’s average margin of defeat on the road this season was 29 points. At home it was 13 with only Saracens meeting with little resistance. They conceded 40 points or more away from home in five of their nine matches.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 26, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 26, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
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McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
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Trinity aim to get the culture right
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YOUNG GUNS
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The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
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A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
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McParland keen to shine for England A
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Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
