Cardall set to fire for the Falcons

AS Tim Cardall reflects on the eventful last nine months for the career, his hope for the new Premiership season is that it will command attention for the richness of its rugby rather than more clubs collapsing under a debt pile.

- PAUL REES

The 26-year-old second row was on the field at the end of Wasps’ home defeat to Northampton last November. No one knew then that the final whistle had also blown on the club’s time in the Premiership, days before it went into administration.

Cardall, like all the squad, management team and staff, was left looking for a job in a market that also included Worcester’s players following that club’s demise the previous month. He ended up in Australia playing Super Rugby for the Rebels and last month arrived back in England for the start of Newcastle’s pre-season training having signed a two-year contract with the Falcons before he flew Down Under.

“I am really excited about the next two years,” said Cardall, who passed 50 appearances for Wasps last season. “I got an early release from my contract with the Rebels to ensure I was in Newcastle for the first day of pre-season.

“I felt it was important to be there from the beginning, to be there for the first day of Alex Codling (the Falcons’ new director of rugby) and meet the players immediately, rather than arrive a few weeks in, because that is when relationships are forged.

“We had meetings about the aims and intentions for the new season and then the club gave me 10 days off to get over the jet lag and the fact I had come off a season. It also gave me and my partner time to find a flat.

“I met Alex when he was appointed. I reached out because I wanted to get to know him early and I have been really impressed by his ideas for the club going forward. His presence will be beneficial for me as a former second row and lineout caller and there is a lot of energy in the coaching group.