We need to kick on after winning at last

Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run

Delight: Ethan Grayson celebrates after Newcastle’s victory over Exeter

PICTURES: Getty Images

THE end of Newcastle’s long wait for a victory in the Premiership created ripples that extended well beyond the north-east. The Falcons’ players were celebrating in the city centre when outside-half Ethan Grayson, who little more than a month ago was not thinking about playing in the Premiership as he prepared to return to the United States for a second season with San Diego Legion, received text alerts on his mobile phone.

They were from two Test centurions who between them appeared in four World Cup finals and who had been following Newcastle’s clash with Exeter at Kingston Park from thousands of miles away – former New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu and Matt Giteau, who played at outside-half and in the midfield for Australia.

For the first six months of the year, Grayson saw them on an almost daily basis with Giteau and Nonu, both in their 40s, lining up at 10 and 12 for the Legion and the 22-year old Grayson doing their running for them at outside centre.

“I learned the most I have ever done playing in San Diego,” said Grayson, who moved to the United States after London Irish collapsed two months after he had signed a contract having decided to leave his home club Northampton. “Playing outside those two was easy.

“I was there with my former teammates at Northampton Connor Tupai and Luke Green. We always got to the club early on training days, but no matter what time we arrived Ma’a was always there. We spoke to him about it and he said he went for an ice bath at 5.30 every morning and then had a sauna.

“We decided to join him, even though it meant getting up at 4.30, and it was time well spent. He had a fund of stories from his playing days and talked about the likes of Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga. More than that, he taught me so much, not least the value of hard work.

“Even at 42, he was the hardest working professional I had ever been around, the reason why he is still smoking people. Gits was good at explaining his game management and what he saw on the pitch with his ridiculous vision.

“I regularly check in with them both and they messaged me after the game. Gits said to make sure it was not a one-off and I have so much to thank them for. They looked after me and they are both some blokes.”

So how did Grayson, who was back in England after the end of the club season in the US and preparing to return to San Diego to prepare for the new campaign, end up playing for Newcastle and out of position at outside-half ?

“I bumped into Alan Dickens (Newcas-tle’s attack coach) and he asked me if I fancied coming down. Kieran Wilkinson had suffered an injury and they needed cover. Alan coached me for England Under-20s and I bit his hand off.

“I was there for the opening week of the Premiership against Bristol and was on the bench at Harlequins in the second round. Brett Connon was injured in the warm-up and I found myself starting after three training sessions. It was a baptism of fire, but at least there was no time to be nervous.”

Grayson started the next two matches, heavy defeats to Leicester and Sale, and took the field against Exeter, the team immediately above them in the table who were also looking for their first victory of the campaign. Newcastle conceded a try in the opening minutes, but their heads did not drop and Grayson dropped a goal and landed all three conversions as his side ended a 25-match losing run in the league.

“We celebrated well afterwards with a few beers,” said Grayson. “Sammy Arnold and Callum Chick spoke really well during the week. Everyone was writing us off and saying we were not worth our place in the Premiership. Sammy said screw the outside noise and go out there and show what we can do. Chicky pointed out that Exeter were struggling as well and he drove us mentally.

“ We showed real resolve and grit and the next thing we are out celebrating” 

“We showed resolve and grit and the next thing we know we know we are in Newcastle celebrating. Everyone showed up and the big players turned it on.

“It has given us something to build on and what struck me when I came into the club was the atmosphere generated by Steve Diamond (director of rugby). I expected the place to be quiet, even depressing, but it was anything but.

“Dimes keeps it lively and never wavers in his belief. They are some of the best lads I have worked with and it is a joy to come into work. We have to make sure that the victory over Exeter is a pressure valve release and that we kick on.”

Grayson, whose father Paul played at outside-half for Northampton and England and whose brother James is currently in Japan after spending seven years with the Saints, has fulfilled an ambition by playing in the Premiership but admits he was scarred by the London Irish experience.

“I left Northampton, my boyhood club, because they had a number of top centres and I felt I would keep being sent out on loan. I signed for Irish pretty late on in the April and at the end of the season went on holiday to Portugal with some mates to celebrate the move.

“I was having a few beers with them when I was told to join a Zoom call and heard the devastating news that London Irish would not be competing in the Premiership any more. We had been told buyers were coming in, but it did not amount to anything. I felt Irish were on the verge of something and a number of players who were there are going really well.

“I had played for Bedford on loan when I was with Northampton and Mike Rayer (director of rugby) invited me to come for a couple of months. I injured my ankle but they kept me on and rehabbed me, which was incredible on their part because they could easily have cast me off.”

Grayson then had a call from his agent. “He asked me how I fancied the USA. Alex Corbisiero was the Legion’s scrum coach and said they were looking for a centre. It offered the chance of a new beginning and I am so glad I said yes.”

The United States are hosting the 2031 World Cup and Grayson says the game there is gaining traction. A 40,000 capacity crowd watched the All Blacks take on Fiji at the Legion’s Snapdragon Stadium in the summer.

“I did not know much about the league. It is as physical as the Premiership with a lot of islanders and some massive Americans, but in terms of skill is on a part with the Championship,” said Grayson. “They are doing everything to grow the sport, getting into schools, and we had 13,000 for our first game. It is getting there. The weather in San Diego is somewhat better than in England. I only experienced two days of rain and it is hot all year round. The rugby is a good standard and it is getting better.”

Grayson has a second season on the west coast beckoning but Diamond has been impressed with the way he got stuck in at short notice and fought for the cause. The pair had a chat last week so could the move become permanent? “We will see what happens,” said Grayson. “My dream as a young lad was to play in the Premiership week in week out and I have really enjoyed it in San Diego. I will let my agent deal with it and focus on playing.”