mark smith
@markismith50
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Media manager at Newcastle Falcons, former Chronicle & Journal sports writer. But this is a purely personal account and these views are nowt to do with them
Joined November 2009
Is Freddie Steward meant to just vaporise and disappear?. Bloke ran in to him head-first and he was just bracing for impact. All for player safety, but what can he actually do there?.
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The wife emailed our local bike shop today to arrange a minor repair to our 4y/o’s bike. Guy not only replied on his day off but says he’ll do it for free as he wants youngsters to cycle. I’m quick to highlight bad service, only fair to do same here. Steeltown Cycles in Consett.
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How is that not a red?. I thought tucked arm meant ‘always illegal’ and therefore no mitigation can be applied?. 🤷♂️.
🟨 Yellow on first start in 🔟 for Sam Prendergast!. 📺 The TMO will review wether it needs to be upgraded 🫣. #AutumnNationsSeries | #IREvFIJ
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Wayne Barnes. How can we let this bloke retire? Refereeing with a cigar on. Best out there by a mile.
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To think, St James’ Park has staged 3 Rugby World Cup games, 4 Magic Weekends, 2 Falcons ‘Big Ones’, the European finals are here this weekend, England play here in September and we’re opening the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. And Newcastle isn’t a ‘rugby city’? Haha!! Classic!.
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@LukeEdwardsTele “Boris had a slice of birthday cake so I’m gonna chin a goalie.”. Feels like a bit of a stretch there, Luke.
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@LukeEdwardsTele My niece is a paramedic, finished her long shift and went to supermarket in uniform, huge queue outside; the crowd insisted she go straight to the front of the line. As you say, the little things. Apparently she was crying she was so grateful.
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To the bloke who tweeted me last night to say we’d get pumped by 80 and has since deleted the tweet, awesome reflexes mate. You know who you are 😉.
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Fair play to the silent assassin, Trevor Davison. From Blaydon 2nd XV to the England squad in less than than a decade is one hell of an effort. Never been in an academy, and five years ago was delivering beer for a living. Bravo, Trev.
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Yeah, yeah, people will say it's a Challenge Cup dead rubber. I totally get it. But in the context of our season, where we are and where we've come from, that is an absolutely HUGE result for us.
FT Perpignan 23 Newcastle Falcons 32. The Falcons' tries were from Hugh O'Sullivan and Ben Redsaw, with Louie Johnson kicking 8 from 8 off the tee. Thank you all the supporters who travelled, and everyone who believed in the lads. This is just the start!. #TrueNorth
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My heart bleeds. Try bussing it from Newcastle to Exeter!.
BREAKING: Man Utd's flight to Newcastle has been cancelled ❌ . Due to the cold weather, Erik ten Hag's squad will now take a three-hour coach to St James' Park ❄️.
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BT Sport’s production is excellent, but to only have 2 of our first 13 games on TV doesn’t feel especially fair when we’re top half of the league with a load of England players in our squad. Another three weeks of TV picks with no Falcons, and some teams have all their games on.
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Dear most people,. When you’re at an airport baggage carousel, just stand a metre or two back please. That way everyone can see the bags coming round. Then when you spot your bag, just calmly step forward and lift it off. Yours sincerely,. The rest of us.
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Inga and Blackie in the same week 😢. Life is just shit, sometimes.
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Glad that the rest of rugby is finally cottoning on to the whole Mark Wilson thing we’ve been droning on about for the last eight or nine years.
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One of the strangest things I’ve ever seen on a rugby field. Genuinely no idea if there’s a law regarding this?.
Think this is what's called getting on the wrong side of the ref! 😂. Manu - 19 years old or not - you're skipper!!. #PremRugby
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Pardon my French, but fuck me. That was unbelievable. 20 years I’ve been with this lot, and hard to remember a more gutsy performance.
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As long as it’s optional and away fans can still go wherever they like, then fine. But let’s not pretend it’s football. Genuine rivalry is ok, but the apparent desperation in some quarters to create animosity between teams and fans risks ruining one of rugby’s selling points.
Premiership Rugby wants to support clubs in setting up designated away ends to boost rugby atmospheres. @TimesSport .
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Thinking back to when Ben Stokes came in this year to speak to the Newcastle Falcons lads. Didn't want any fee for doing it. Came in on a rare day off for him. Stayed way longer than agreed. Talked absolute sense. England couldn't be in better hands for the Ashes.
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Looks like we’re entering the trash-talk era 🤷♂️. For what it’s worth, Radders was always a delight to work with and I can’t imagine him talking in disparaging terms about his former club.
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Stop using the spider-cam in live general play, please. You’re making it look like a computer game. Yes, for replays, of course. But be selective.
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Never envisaged celebrating promotion with a corned beef toastie and a packet of Quavers, but it tastes good! 🥪.
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In all my 15 years working in professional rugby that’s the first time the home stewards have ever helped us unload the kit van and sort the changing room. Top work @ExeterChiefs.
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Completely disagree with this. Having free-to-air highlights is huge for the sport and Flats & Topsy do a great job catering for casual viewers and rugby fans alike. Not an easy balance.
Rugby desperately needs an intelligent analysis show - 'Flats and Topsy' simply does not fit the bill. ✍️ @CRichardsonTel. #TelegraphRugby.
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Feels like BT Sport are missing an open goal not having any live rugby on tonight. Surely could have had one Champions Cup pool finishing on a Friday, or show some Challenge Cup?.
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10.20pm and the team hotel has ran out of beer. This is not a drill. Repeat. Not a drill.
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Not suggesting anything sinister, and none of them have been shockers. But still feels like TV directors have a big influence on games. An incident being replayed or not replayed on the big screen often seems to be the difference in a penalty being awarded or not awarded.
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I can’t be the only person who sees this and thinks ‘M6 Northbound’. Stop off at Tebay Services for some top scran! 🍽️.
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Not wanting to split hairs, but for the avoidance of doubt Mark Wilson should be listed as a Newcastle Falcons player. His loan move to Sale Sharks doesn't kick in until after the World Cup, so for the purposes of all England team lists and tournament comment, he's a Falcon.
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Well done @ITVRugby for not being too graphic with their replays on the Jack Willis injury 👏.
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📺 EVERY other club has at least DOUBLE the amount of TV picks. This is starting to feel a little personal now, guys. We only lost once last season on TV and delivered some cracking games to the viewing masses (BP win v the champions, beating Glos with 14 men). #growthegame.
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Have to admit this passed me by at the time, but doing Ibitoye on the outside whilst wearing only one boot is quite something.
Racing through 🏎. Adam Radwan spots his chance to pull a try back for @FalconsRugby 🦅. Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺. #GallagherPrem | #BRIvNEW
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I do enjoy the Rugby Review on TNT Sports, but Newcastle scored five tries today and not a single one of them was shown. A couple of absolute beauts as well. C’mon, guys.
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Well, that's the end of season 2023-24 for us. I won't pretend it's been anything other than shit, but we've got the right man in Dimes to sort it out. Of that I am sure. Thanks as always to everyone for their input and good humour throughout the year. See you in 2024-25.
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And of course he stayed on the field to finish the game. Absolutely mental!.
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To the mystery person who de-iced my car while I was working, I am more grateful than you will ever know 🙏🏽.
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Still no TV replay of that decisive ‘no-arms tackle’. Well played Monsieur Directeur!.
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🏆 Not a single word of Prem Cup coverage in any of the national newspapers’ digital versions today (that I can find). Despite many of them having vast staffs of dedicated rugby writers, and no other men’s professional rugby being played in England this weekend. Come on, guys!.
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Had some lovely messages tonight from all corners of the game, the media and fans in general. Too many to reply to. But thank you, I’ve read them all and you are very kind.
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Just watched the game back on TV, absolutely loving Dimes’ exchanges with this Chiefs fan over the course of a good few minutes. A certain section of people sneeringly take the piss out of #RugbyValues these days, but to me this sums it up perfectly.
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Things are obviously very raw after a big defeat which nobody is happy with, but some of the external hot takes regarding the club’s finances are massively OTT. We’ve had to cut our cloth and manage things responsibly. And yes, that brings short term challenges. (1/2).
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All hail the referee in the Edinburgh v Glasgow game for actually implementing the five-second “use it” law during the tedious caterpillar ruck formation. Give the lad the man-of-the-match award.
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Also worth saying, credit to Exeter for their reaction on what was clearly a very crappy night for them. Without exception, every one of their players, staff and supporters were very generous in their praise towards us. I’ve done that long bus journey many times after a loss.
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It's that time where I needlessly make myself look stupid with some weekend predictions. NZ to poop the French party. England to beat Argentina reasonably comfortably (shocker!). Wales to beat Fiji. Boks to overpower Scotland. Screenshot and rub my nose in it on Monday.
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Feels like the reporters at these No.10 pressers are interested chiefly in personal granstanding and pathetic attempts to try and humiliate the government, rather than seeking any genuine insight or providing any public service. Gradually becoming a major turn-off.
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It’s a genuine education sharing an office with Dimes and watching how he operates every single day. I’ll admit I had my preconceptions. Many do. I’ve told him. But as a strategic thinker, motivator, man-manager, salesman - even magician. I’ve honestly not worked with better.
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17 years I’ve been covering the Falcons, and that today from Toby Flood was one of the best goal-kicking displays I’ve ever seen. Kicked 100% in an absolute gale, bang down the middle from both touchlines. Credit where it’s due.
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I remember asking to interview his dad Henry when I worked at Leicester Tigers back in the day when he was playing there. Me: Hi Henry, can I grab a quick interview please?. Him: Not speak English [shaking head]. Me: Henry, I know you speak English. Him: Oh, Ok then…😂.
The Tuilagi international rugby story continues with Posolo on the bench against @IrishRugby for @FranceRugby.
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About to start my 20th season working in Premiership rugby. The job has changed beyond all recognition, but still get a massive buzz from a busy match week. Falcons predictably written off by pretty much every pundit. Just the way we like it!. Have a good season, everyone 👊.
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The city of Newcastle, you have absolutely smashed it this weekend. Well played! What a privilege to host this great event and to see two years of hard work and planning pay off.
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The Gallagher Premiership must be one hell of a bloody league if we’re bottom of it. Absolute class, this lot.
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I’ve never understood the problem with stadium naming rights being sold. RFU gets loads of much-needed cash. Fans can and will still call it Twickenham. Win win.
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🔮.
Tonight’s the night.
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Huge respect to @mateocarreras_ tonight. Barely spoke a word of English when he landed, and has just aced a live TV interview on @btsportrugby. The Julio Geordio of rugby! . The ‘little radgie’ is some talent.
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I know he gets a lot of stick but I always like Austin Healey on comms. Also think Sara Cox is one of the better refs around now on the Prem circuit.
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But the club is more financially stable now than it has been for ages. There’ll be an interview with the ownership coming out in the press this week (done before today) which should help dispel some of the unfounded doom-mongering doing the rounds on social media & elsewhere.
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Fair play to Santi Socino, all set to make his Argentina debut at hooker today against the Wallabies. Came to Newcastle Falcons as a flanker from Hull Ionians five years ago. Some story.
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Newcastle No.1 forces a late change of direction (a la Jamie George), Newcastle 3 makes head contact as a result but is still sent off and banned for three games 🤔. #consistency.
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Reminder to all national sports desks and rugby podcasts. The Prem Cup continues this weekend. Tens of thousands of people are paying to watch it. I'm sure some of them would love to read or hear about its progress. Even an acknowledgment of its existence would be nice! 🙏.
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Steady six-hour stint on the Falcons team bus and just arrived in Bath for the freeest of hits tomorrow. Nobody on the outside is giving us a prayer. Absolutely perfect!.
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Fans and media: Rugby desperately needs money and can't even sell its TV rights. What a shambles. Rugby gets new TV deal. Fans and media: Oh no, another TV deal. What a shambles. 🤷♂️.
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The most ridiculous piece I’ve read in quite some time. What an absolute 🤡.
Stench of testosterone as constant rugby victory songs leave a bad smell. ✍️ @thomgibbs. #TelegraphRugby.
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Jesus I feel like crying. That’s what this game can do to you. What a day.
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Obviously not condoning violence, and I’ve no idea what actually happened yesterday. All I’ll say, when we played down at Bath our coaches took a load of abuse from some of their ‘fans’ mid game. And they really don’t like it when they get a bit back. Respect works both ways.
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Not a fan of this 20-minute red card malarkey. Absolute cheat’s charter.
Tuesday’s Daily Telegraph sport: World Rugby to trial 20-minute red-card ruling #tomorrowpaperstoday
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New rule to improve Masterchef. Anyone who mentions a dead relative gets their hand put in the deep-fat fryer for 30 seconds. That’ll larn’em.
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Rob Baxter makes a great point here. The rumour-mongering about clubs being ‘in trouble’ is incredibly damaging and can become a self-fulfilling prophecy when potential sponsors, signings, fans etc hear it & believe the worst. Think before you spread it.
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Obviously just showing myself as a dinosaur here, but I can't be doing with this announcing teams numbered 1-15. Should be 15-9 then 1-8, surely. And 'replacements' thereafter (no other gimmicky words for them please). Yes. I know, I'm a relic. I'll go back to my museum now!.
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And so begins my 22nd season with Newcastle Falcons. Let’s prove them all wrong and make it a good’un!.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 👊. Good luck to all players and staff starting pre-season training tomorrow with Newcastle Falcons. The class of 2024-25. This is where it all begins!. #TrueNorth
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Some of these Leinster forwards have the old Maro Itoje cloak of invisibility on today. Getting away with absolute murder at the breakdown.
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Some of these TV pundits need to realise the referee can only use the laws as they are today, not the laws as they might like them to be in future. By the laws as they are today, direct contact with the shoulder to the head, with force, that’s a red card all day long.
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The day when Micky Ward wears long trousers, I’ll know the apocalypse is here.
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Rarely have I seen a series drop off a cliff as badly as ‘Killing Eve’. Really enjoyed season 1. Season 2 was poor, and season 3 has been absolute s@&*e. God knows why I perservered til the end. Don’t bother.
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Unlike me they’re too modest to tweet their #humblebrags, but thank you to Channel 5’s @MarkDurdenSmith & @davidflatman for becoming the first TV presenters to help me pack down the Kingston Park press room. Some seriously impressive table folding and seat stacking. #grafters.
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Names on shirts is a start, if 20 years too late, but I'd go the whole hog and just have squad numbers in rugby. Opens up way more marketing opportunities (Radwan14, Itoje32 etc), and the reality these days is the notion of 'position' is fairly obsolete.
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Still makes me smile. Newcastle Falcons played a friendly at Munster back in 2004, hundreds of kids afterwards waiting for Jonny. Kid to me: Is Jonny Wilkinson in there?. Me: Yeah, he’ll be out shortly. Kid: Can you ask him to get me Mossy Lawler’s autograph please!? . 😂👏.
Mossy Lawler is open to taking on more responsibility for Munster’s attack if Mike Prendergast is promoted as head coach.
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Another tough one tonight, but can’t fault the effort and spirit of the lads. People love to kick you when you’re on the floor, but in times like these you find out who your real friends are. Luckily we’ve got lots of them. Merry Christmas to all followers. HoHoHo! 🎅🏻.
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Falcons' Japanese arrival is big news in Newcastle. @FalconsRugby @03hatake @JRFURugby @FreemanrugbyJPN
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You’ve got to be an utterly pathetic individual to ‘@‘ somebody on twitter with abusive criticism. I just can’t even begin to understand the weasel mentality of these arseholes. And twitter clearly aren’t bothered. Too busy concocting stupid ideas of how to ruin the platform.
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Elbow to the face, about 30 seconds before the winning try. Not even reviewed.
🗣️ "I don't think there's any mitigation there.". @IamAustinHealey and @dannycare discuss the controversial ending to the Exeter Chiefs vs Newcastle Falcons game. #GallagherPrem
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A titan of North East sport. And what a bloke. His "Blackie's Banter" page in the Falcons programme still has me in stitches 19 years later!. RIP Blackie!.
All at Newcastle Falcons are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend and former colleague, Steve Black. Blackie, you were a true one-off. A Falcons legend who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.
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The rumour about Newcastle is categorically not true. We told the journalist this yesterday and he still ran the story.
Separate stories about voluntary relegation and monthly salaries not being paid in the Gallagher Premiership have been published in England on Wednesday. #GallagherPrem
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🔮.
All logic says otherwise, but I’ve got a weird feeling England might win today. Don’t ask me to justify it. I can’t.
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@Sonjamclaughlan I heard the Farrell interview driving home after our own game, and it was absolutely fine. You did your job, he didn’t want to answer, which is a shame, but it’s tough after a disappointing loss. I can’t see the problem. There are some vile arseholes on twitter. Hope you’re ok.
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It’s the little things that stick with you. The one time I met Ed Slater I was carrying way too much kit through the Kingsholm entrance. Even as the oppo captain he held the door and ultimately ended up offering to carry half my gear up to the press room
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This might just be my favourite photo ever. Sam Lockwood’s son Otis leading the team back in last night on his third birthday. Brilliant.
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This time next week it’ll be 20 years I’ve worked in professional rugby, 16 of them in this seat! Wouldn’t change a thing.
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Another frustrating one tonight, but I genuinely feel this club is ready to take off. So much good work going on in the background. I don’t think people realise. We’re getting closer. Thank you to everyone who’s sticking with us. Your rewards will come.
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Tough day, but the lads did themselves proud. We will be back.
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Just had a nice message from my oppo at Newcastle United wishing us all the best for this evening’s return of fans. Always been a very supportive relationship behind the scenes with the region’s other pro sports teams, and we all know what a milestone tonight represents.
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Ok, we fell just short today, but after months of being told how shit the Premiership is that’s 8 wins out of 10 for our clubs in Europe this weekend. Including some massive scalps, too. Right, onto Joburg we go. Full day of travelling tomorrow ✈️🇿🇦.
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So he said one swear word in a calm fashion to the officials as they walked past him. And gets the same length ban as someone who got done for eye-gouging the following week. Nothing wrong at all with rugby's disciplinary system.
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Boom. Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership semi-finals. Happy days.
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No Mark Wilson again for England. Even on the bench, surely he’s exactly what you want in such a pressure game. Baffling.
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First Prem game on ‘proper telly’ for a while. Have to say, the @rugbyontnt team are a dream to work with, and run a very impressive operation. We gave them good access and served up a decent enough game, so hopefully they’ll come up and see us a little more regularly 🤞🙏🏽.
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Tweet of the season!. Big mic-drop 🎤.
⏱️ 52m | That's 65% of the match played. So we are clocking off for the night and heading back to the ranch.
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