Newcastle

The relegation battle in the Aviva Premiership is really starting to heat up, with London Irish, Newcastle Falcons and Worcester Warriors all involved in a tense race for Premiership survival.

Fifteen points from James Hook kept Gloucester in contention for Aviva Premiership play-off and Champions Cup places with a convincing 32-6 victory over Newcastle at Kingsholm.

Wayne Barnes taking a shine to Andy Goode during a Aviva Premiership game at Kingston Park...table for two.

Newcastle gave their hopes of beating the drop a boost as the Falcons survived a Northampton fightback to record their fifth home win in succession.

The Newcastle University student talks of his playing days in BUCS, representing England and life in National One with Blaydon.

Newcastle breathed life into their hopes of avoiding relegation with a stunning victory over Leicester Tigers at Kingston Park.

The 2015/16 Aviva Premiership season has now reached the halfway mark, with all teams besides Bath and Sale having played 11 of their 22 matches.

A Rob Vickers try two minutes from time helped Newcastle snatched a 26-19 victory over Harlequins at Kingston Park to give them their second Aviva Premiership win of the season and move the Falcons up to 11th in the league standings.

Robbie Henshaw handed Ireland an RBS 6 Nations fitness boost as Connacht thrashed Enisei-STM 47-5 to qualify for the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Zach Kibirige has thrived when he has been given the opportunity to play for Newcastle Falcons this season, but wants to achieve more personally with the north-east club.

Boks job, returning to Europe, a Fijian/French interest and heading North

London Irish head coach Tom Coventry has admitted to breathing a sigh of relief at the final whistle of their 20-15 Aviva Premiership win over Newcastle on Sunday.

Newcastle's biggest home crowd of the season saw Craig Willis kick two late penalties against Bath to secure the Falcons' first Aviva Premiership victory of the season.

The festive season continues to linger on and while it is a time of merriment and goodwill for most, it’s a time of worry and concern for Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons.

Andy Goode has been lured out of retirement on a short-term contract with Newcastle Falcons, providing injury cover for Mike Delaney.

Leicester shrugged off some poor finishing and a nightmare start to see off a gritty Newcastle side 22-10 at Welford Road to cement their place in the Premiership's top four.

Newcastle Falcons put themselves back in contention for the European Challenge Cup’s quarter-finals with a bonus point victory over Connacht on Sunday.

The latest whisperings, murmurs and rumours from the world of rugby union, picking up bits and bobs from the written press, online and social media.

Cardiff staged a stunning comeback to claim a 37-27 bonus-point win over Montpellier to keep hopes of qualifying for the European Challenge Cup's knockout stages alive.

Ulster boss Les Kiss has described French heavyweights Toulouse as "predictably unpredictable" ahead of Friday's European Champions Cup clash in Belfast.