Newcastle not at the races admits Dean Richards
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Dean Richards, Director of Rugby of Newcastle Falcons looks on ahead of the European Rugby Challenge Cup Quarter Final match between Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road on April 10, 2021 in Leicester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE boss Dean Richards gave a blunt assessment of Newcastle's scrum problems.
“We weren't at the races,” he said, admitting his team failed to adapt to referee Romain Poite.
He added: “We couldn't do anything in the eyes of the referee at scrum time.
“I thought they were pretty dominant in that area and deserved the plaudits. They are very well drilled and they do the simple things well.”
Richards said he felt Newcastle had shown their attacking ability in parts. “Give us a little bit of ball and we can play.
We have the ability through our attacking shape to do something but we just did not have the platform.”
Leicester's Steve Borthwick said: “In any game, you have to find a way to create an advantage and we certainly did that in the scrum today.”
Borthwick refused to comment on reports that he has turned down the chance to be in Warren Gatland's Lions coaching team this summer.
“I will happily talk about what's happening at Leicester all day long but not about other things.”
