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A Newcastle development side with six Americas players in the starting lineup suffered an embarrassing 35-29 defeat Worcester Cavaliers in Aviva ‘A’ League action on Sunday. Newcastle had named an experienced team with seven full internationals against a Worcester side composed almost entirely of academy players. The result will not sit well with Falcons supremo Dean Richards who will have at the very least expected a win.
Three Canadians, two Argentines, and one USA Eagle took part in the match. Santiago Socino and Jake Ilnicki were in the front row with Evan Olmstead and Nick Civetta partnered at lock. On the wings were DTH van der Merwe and Belisario Agulla. Former Ohio Aviators center Dom Waldouck also played.
Socino has broken into the senior side this year and impressed with his mobility but is up against stiff competition from South African Kyle Cooper and Scottish international Scott Lawson at hooker. Ilnicki has made just one senior appearance as a replacement and with both David and Scott Wilson now back to fitness Ilnicki’s opportunities look limited.
For Olmstead and Civetta the season has been frustrating. After featuring heavily last year Olmstead has yet to play a game in the Premiership this season despite showing good form in the ‘A’ league. He was again named as a standout on Sunday. Civetta was recalled from Doncaster where he has been on loan and playing regularly. Both second rows are out of contract at the end of the season and likely to be looking elsewhere.
van der Merwe is in the first of a three year deal but has played only three times for the senior side since joining from Scarlets. His path has been blocked by Samoan stepper Sinoti Sinoti and Fijian ace Vereniki Goneva, with academy flyer Adam Radwan also impressing. Agulla is in the same boat though his utility value has seen him selected in seven senior matches between the Premiership and the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
