- England Saxons play Scotland A at Kingston Park on February 1
- Chance to impress on eve of England Scotland in RBS 6 Nations
England Saxons will meet Scotland A at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park on Friday, February 1, the second of two internationals taking place in the North East this winter.
After the Falcons have played a Tonga VX on Tuesday, November 13 – part of the Pacific Islanders’ four-game European tour this November – England’s second-string will have the chance to impress in their only home game of the season.
Rob Andrew, former director of rugby at the club and now professional rugby director at the RFU, is excited about the prospect of top-class rugby in Newcastle and pointed to the important developmental aspect of these games.
Andrew, who won 71 England caps, said: “The Saxons play an important role in our player development and this, our only home game, will be a good gauge of where the next level of players below the seniors are at.
“Kingston Park is a fantastic ground with passionate supporters and I’m sure they will come out in force.”
The match, which kicks-off at 8pm, is on the eve of the RBS 6 Nations opener between England and Scotland at Twickenham, with a string of high profile names in the Saxons Elite Player Squad looking to stake their claim for involvement later in the tournament.
The announcement of the two internationals comes on the back of the Falcons’ blistering start to their RFU Championship campaign, spearheaded by director of rugby Dean Richards. Winning all of their first seven games in all competitions, there is a real feel good factor for rugby in the North East and Cumbria at present.
And with the homecoming of former Falcons player and current Chairman and President of the Tongan Rugby Union Epi Taione providing a fitting backdrop to the fixture, Richards said: “It is fantastic that Kingston Park will be staging two high profile internationals and I am very much looking forward to both occasions.
“It will be great to welcome Epi back to the North East with Tonga next month, and it is the perfect opportunity for families to come to Kingston Park and enjoy top class rugby.
“Tonga will provide us with a strong challenge as we look to continue our momentum in the RFU Championship.”
Ticket details are available on the Newcastle Falcons website.
