PREM Cup: Newcastle Red Bulls coach Alex Dickens expects 'tough task' against Saracens

Dickens mentioned that “It was the first time in 12 meetings that we’d beat Northampton, which was positive, and it’s also the first game that they’ve lost this season, in all competitions. So, a lot of positives because I said before: they’re a dangerous side in Northampton, with regards to whoever they put on the pitch, you know how they want to play. And obviously we did pretty well at the weekend to stop how they wanted to play and so we capitalised in the second half.

“We’ve talked a lot about momentum swings this year, and because we’ve seen a lot of those within the Premiership, with various clubs, and we were fortunate to have one of those momentum moments on the weekend.”

Newcastle face Saracens next, a side they have already gone toe-to-toe with this season in the first round of the PREM Rugby season, losing at home. The Londoners have only picked up one win out of three in the competition so far, beating rivals Harlequins, but are currently sitting fourth in the league table.

Alan Dickens will hope to change the fortunes against Saracens this weekend: “I think if you go back to the first game of the season here in the Prem, we were very disappointed with the result. One of the positives we did take from that day was at 65 minutes in, we were in the game.

“So we know what Saracens will bring, they’re a physical side, they like to play the territory game. And also in terms of doing well in this competition, they had a fantastic performance on Sunday against Harlequins away at the Stoop. So, we know that it’ll be a tough task, but one that we’re looking forward to.”

Last week, Newcastle Red Bulls announced the addition of legendary former Welsh fly-half Stephen Jones to their coaching set-up. He joins as an attack and backs coach into Dickens’ team.

Since his retirement in 2013, Jones has held roles at Wasps, Scarlets, Wales with Wayne Pivac, and Moana Pasifika.

He will be welcomed at Red Bulls with open arms, as Dickens stated: “First and foremost, Stephens, somebody who’s got a wealth of experience, certainly as a player: over a hundred caps for Wales, British Lion, various jobs within the Isles in terms of Wasps, and then he’s recently been coaching in New Zealand. So, he’s going to bring a wealth of experience. Talking to some of the players, Hame Faiva knows some of the players that he coaches currently and all the chat is very, very positive.”

“The news was greeted here, and people were happy about it. Obviously, in terms of that, [I’ve got] no doubt that he will come in, make his mark and will improve as we go through the season.”

Stephen Jones will commence his role at the start of December, following the return to league action against Leicester on the 28th November.