6:16PM, Fri Jun 22, 2012

Newcastle Falcons Hold Pre-Season Training Session On The Beach At Druridge Bay

By Neal Walker Location: Northumberland

Newcastle Falcons players have been put through their paces ahead of the upcoming season.

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The squad went to Druridge Bay in Northumberland for a training session on the beach.

The Falcons are in the second week of pre-season, and preparing for the arrival of new Director of Rugby Dean Richards, who will join up with the team in August.

Falcons back row Mark Wilson tweeted after the training session: "Had a nice but quick dip in the North Sea this afternoon after some tough sand dune sprints.. #ultimatequadburn"

The club have made big changes both on and off the field in the close season, with Peter Russell joining as head coach, Graham Steadman joining as defence coach, and forwards coach John Wells committing his future to the club.

On the pitch, the team have brought in eight players: Scott MacLeod, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Chris York, Rory Lawson, Carlo del Fava, Oliver Tomaszcyzyk, Alex Crockett and Andy Higgins.

The Falcons have announced a pre-season programme which includes matches against last season's Heineken Cup runners-up Ulster, Heineken Cup semi-finalists Edinburgh, Doncaster Knights and Leeds Carnegie.