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England prop Trevor Davidson quits Newcastle with immediate effect

(Photo by Alex Davidson/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Twice-capped England prop Trevor Davidson has exited Newcastle with immediate effect to permanently join Northampton, with Irish prop Oisin Heffernan moving in the opposite direction on loan until the end of the season. The Saints also confirmed the permanent departure of Ehren Painter to Exeter.

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Front-rower Davidson was capped on two occasions by Eddie Jones in 2021, debuting off the bench versus the USA and then featuring again some months later versus Australia. A statement read: “Northampton Saints have signed England international Trevor Davison from Newcastle Falcons, with the 30-year-old prop arriving at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens with immediate effect.

“Primarily a tighthead but able to play on both sides of the scrum, Davidson has made over a century of appearances for Falcons since joining Newcastle from Blaydon RFC – with 79 of those coming in the Gallagher Premiership.

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“The 6’2”, 122kg front rower had represented hometown club Blaydon since the age of 11, also being selected for England Counties on multiple overseas tours before making the step up into the full-time professional game.

“Davison’s impressive form within Newcastle’s imposing front row earned him an England call-up in June 2021, and he made his Test debut off the bench against the USA at Twickenham the next month. He has since earned one further cap against Australia in the 2021 Autumn Nations Cup and was included in Steve Borthwick’s wider training squad before this year’s Six Nations championship.”

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Northampton boss Phil Dowson said: “We are absolutely delighted to sign a player of Trevor’s calibre for the remainder of this season and beyond. We are excited about what he can bring to our squad; he’s an international tighthead, he’s a top-quality operator in the Premiership, and crucially he’s another player whose attitude is all about improving his game.

“Trevor brings his reputation as a tough, competitive player with him to Northampton. He is someone who wants to be dominant in the set-piece, but also brings some real quality around the park as well as that toughness, so we’re confident he will be a great fit for us.”

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Davison added: “I’ve really enjoyed watching Saints over the past few seasons – I like their style and the brand of rugby the team is playing, which is really entertaining. I’m at the stage of my career where I feel like I need a change; I’ve been in Newcastle my whole life, so when the opportunity arose to come to Northampton, I wanted to give it a shot.

“I have spoken to Robbie Smith, Joel Matavesi and all the boys I know from England camps about the Club, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the environment and the coaches here. The team is always there or thereabouts in the Gallagher Premiership’s top four come the end of the season, so I’m really looking forward to competing for some silverware and hopefully I can earn myself some more opportunities at international level as a result as well.”

Newcastle Falcons’ chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “It’s a shame to see Trevor go, especially mid-contract, and we were very much looking forward to having him as part of our squad next season. That being said, we have accepted his request to move on and will not stand in his way. It’s been a pleasure having him at Newcastle Falcons and we wish him all the best as he joins up with the Northampton Saints team.”

Northampton also confirmed that fellow props Painter and Heffernan have departed, Painter joining Exeter on a permanent deal and Heffernan loaned to Newcastle Falcons until the end of the season. Dowson explained: “Ehren has always been someone with a ‘Saints First’ attitude. He is a top man to have in the squad, but he has struggled this year for opportunities in the first team and he is desperate to try and find some more game time.

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“Exeter wanted him immediately and with Trevor coming in, that worked out well with Oisin also moving in the opposite direction to Newcastle to cover for them. Oisin is still contracted with Saints next season and is another who needs more game time and an opportunity to show what he can do in the Premiership, so we will follow his progress with interest.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
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CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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