Adam Radwan Interview: "We just need to iron out a couple of bits - It's on the players to do that"

While attentions turn to European action this weekend, Round 12 in the Gallagher Premier was dedicated to Restart. Restart is the official charity of The Rugby Players Association (RPA) and they are committed to supporting professional rugby players suffering from serious injury, illness or hardship.

Recent events with Wasps and Worcester Warriors have made this campaign all the more important and last week, players across the Premiership all wore the Restart charity t-shirts during their warm-ups and some clubs donated signed jerseys to help raise money.

One player heavily involved with the charity is Newcastle Falcons winger Adam Radwan: “I’ve been an ambassador for Restart Rugby for the last two years," he tells TRU's Elizabeth Cartwright.

"It’s a charity for the players. It’s one of those things that you hope you won’t need but they are a charity for us when unfortunately things do go wrong, whether that’s injury or regarding mental health. I'm sure they have done a massive amount around the current Worcester and the Wasps situation.

"I think as players, we put our bodies through so much and it's important to have something there when things aren't going well and when unfortunately bad things happen. My role is to support the charity by offering and organising signed shirts for raffles. I just try and raise awareness where I can. I want to raise as much money for the charity as it’s so important."

It is clear the 24-year-old is passionate about the sport both on and off the field and when talk turns to Newcastle's fortunes this term, Radwan is honest and happy to tell it like it is. 

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The Falcons currently sit ninth in the Gallagher Premiership having won three out of a possible nine matches. The winger agrees that his squad have had a mixed bag of results but believes they are building towards something special up north.

“Yeah it has been a fairly up and down season so far with inconsistencies from us," he says. "There's been a lot of change since the start of the season with personnel and coaching staff. I think long term, things are looking really good. We just need to iron out a couple of little bits. That's probably on the players, guys coming out of the squad whether that's when people are away on international duties.

"We've got three Argentinians, we've got some players who play for the USA. It's probably just the squad getting time to play together. I think it'll come, though.

"Things are positive. Despite the result not being great at the weekend against London Irish [Newcastle losing 39-17 in the capital], I think things are looking good. We've had some young guys come through who are putting their hands up for regular game time which I think is really exciting. The league is more competitive too. Every year, it's getting a little more intense and I think anyone can genuinely beat any team on the day so I think there's no calling it now. I think it would be impossible to call the top four. I think it's a brilliant league and a great one. It's nuts really”.

This weekend, the Premiership takes a break with the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup taking centre stage. Newcastle travel to Connacht in the latter competition and Radwan is relishing the chance to play: “I think it's exciting. It always is. I've never played at Connacht. I don't know what we're doing selection wise but hopefully I'll be involved. I've never played there but Connacht have got some brilliant players. It's always exciting and there's always a slightly different feel to it playing in the Challenge Cup. I think every team wants silverware so it's an opportunity to get that."

The final point to press Radwan on is his England ambitions ahead of the Rugby World Cup that kicks off in France next year. Having made his international debut last summer against Canada as well as scoring a try against Tonga in October 2021, the Newcastle speedster knows his club form will be key if he is to catch the eye of any potential new England head coach.

“Obviously my long-term goals are to always play for England but I think you can't get too wrapped up in that and other things. You need to stay pretty focused on doing things week by week. Ultimately I want to play for England but I do that by playing well for Newcastle week after week so I think that's kind of my biggest focus at the minute - making sure I'm playing well and playing consistently. That'll put me in the best spot possible to play for England."