Flying Season For Falcons Predicted

Over 240 caps worth of Test match experience have been added to the squad over the summer, with Wallaby legend Matthew Burke joining the likes of Wales captain Colin Charvis and Samoan skipper Semo Sititi in moving to Kingston Park

'The core group of first team players, with the signings that we've made, I feel is the strongest squad we've ever had, and we now have more depth than when we won the league,' said Andrew, who formed an integral part of the side which claimed the 1997/8 Premiership title.

'What we did that year was get away with using only 17 or 18 players throughout the whole season. With the demands of the league and the Heineken Cup, you just can't do that these days.'

Andrew stated that the Falcons will almost certainly not name an official club captain for the season as a whole, but will approach it on a game-by-game basis.

'I think that's the route we'll go down, just naming a match captain in the week before a game. We have so many natural contenders already here, and with the likes of Charvis and Sititi both adding to that, we have the luxury of having a number of great leaders in the squad.'

'We have a massive season ahead, and with injuries and international call-ups, it's realistic that some of the senior academy players will see some action. We think they're ready for it, and that's what they should be aiming for.'

Andrew heralded the competitive fight for places at the club, saying: 'For all of the players there's now massive competition.

'If you look at somewhere like fullback, we've got Matthew Burke who can play there, Joe Shaw who started the Cup final there, as well as Dave Walder and Michael Stephenson who have all played well in that position.

With the Falcons known more recently for free-running back play, Andrew said: 'The back line over the last two or three years has always been regarded as being the strength of the club, and the way we play the game has meant that we've perhaps played to the backs quite a lot.

'The biggest thing we've done in the forwards is try and increase the level of experience. Even excluding Matt Burke, we've signed around 170 caps in the forwards since the end of last season.'

With the Heineken Cup draw due to be made this Tuesday, Andrew said of the campaign ahead: 'I think the fans are really excited about our prospects for next season, judging by those I've spoken to.

'I think as a club we've grown up, and we're much more ready for the Heineken Cup.

'We've got a stadium to grace the competition, and now we think we have the squad to match it.'

Andrew also revealed that 10 Academy squad players will join the full squad next season.