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| Bates Delight At French Scalp |
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| A vocal away following celebrates victory |
| 24 August 2008, 11:02 pm |
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| Newcastle Falcons director of rugby, Steve Bates, was left to look back on a highly successful week, having watched his side dispatch French big-spenders Racing Metro 37-10 at Stadium Lille Metropole on Sunday. |
With the game forming the culmination of a week-long training camp in northern France, a delighted Bates said: “This is just what we needed.
“The week's camp has been first class, we have enjoyed superb facilities and the team has bonded considerably during this time.
“Our hosts at Lille Metropole Rugby could not have done a better job in accommodating us throughout the week, we have got through a lot of very high quality work in training and put in a very impressive performance against a strong side.”
Refusing to get carried away despite an outstanding 80 minutes from his team in their final pre-season friendly, Bates said: “There is still lots to work on, let's not pretend otherwise, but the effort and application from the boys today was a very positive step in the right direction as we prepare for Sale Sharks on September 7.
“The most pleasing aspect was that the players put in to practice the tactics we had discussed at length on the training pitch and in our meetings, some of which are a pretty big departures from our previous playing style, but they executed them very clinically and with effective results.”
Whilst refusing to single out star turns from what was a fine collective effort, Bates did take time to praise the contribution of England Under-18s fly half Rory Clegg, who played his second full 80 minutes for the Falcons in a faultless display.
“I thought he was absolutely fantastic, and we could not have asked any more from him,” said the director of rugby.
“To make his debut in tough circumstances last week at Leeds was a big test for Rory, and I thought he came through well, but today was a serious step up from that and he passed with flying colours.
“He was very creative in attack, solid in defence and kicked four goals from four, so naturally I was extremely happy with the progress he has made during a week when he, Rob Miller and Jonny Wilkinson have been working very closely together.” |
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