Vickers commits to Falcons
Relegation-threatened Newcastle Falcons have been boosted by the news that 30-year-old hooker Rob Vickers has signed a new two-year deal.
Vickers, who returns to the front-row following suspension said that he is delighted at having committed his future to the North East outfit.
“Newcastle Falcons is a club that I have been at my entire professional career and it is a club that I love. There have been a lot of changes at the club over the years and the ambition that Semore Kurdi has shown since he got involved with the club has really impressed me,” said the Yorkshireman.
Vickers made his Falcons debut during the 2006/07 season, having come through the club’s successful academy system while a student at Durham University.
His impressive form in a black jersey was enough to see him named in the England Saxons squad which won the 2010 Churchill Cup. Vickers made it a century of appearances against Harlequins in the Falcons last home game to underline his tag as a firm fan favourite.
Returning to the starting line-up after serving his one week ban for an altercation during the Harlequins game, Vickers admits he is itching to bounce back in positive fashion.
“Things happen that you are not necessarily proud of within the heat of the battle in response to something that has happened to you,” he explained.
Despite tasting a humbling 45-9 defeat at home to high-flying Saracens last week, Vickers is expecting very physical and direct clash with Steve Diamond’s Sale Sharks team on Friday.
He said: “They will have had a kick up the backside from last week and we are expecting them to be very direct.
“They have had a change within their coaching staff and with that they will have a different philosophy. We just have to control how we play, defend hard, carry hard and play our game with heart and passion.
“We have got four games to go and we will do everything we can in those games – I know it is a cliché but we are just focusing on ourselves,” he added.
Falcons Director of rugby Gary Gold said: “I am delighted for Rob that he has signed a new two-year deal. He has been a fantastic servant for the club and this is great news for the future of the club.”
