Hutchison and McCallum on joint session with Edinburgh

08/29/2023 06:30 AM

Supporters were invited along for the free event to watch both teams fine-tuning their preparation for the coming campaign. The afternoon began with both teams training separately on the main pitch before coming together for opposed units sessions. The packs went full-on with live scrummaging, line-out and mauling, with the backs running semi-opposed plays against one another. The units then came together for an opposed team session, with the simulated game seeing some valuable contact work for both sets of players. Two men with a particular interest in the day were Falcons centre Cameron Hutchison and prop Murray McCallum, who both joined Newcastle from Edinburgh in the off-season. Hutchison said: "It was a really valuable hit-out for us, even if it was a bit strange to go up against some former team-mates so soon after moving from Edinburgh. "We're really lucky that we can make such a short trip up the road to train and play against a team who aren't in our own league, because there's only so much you can do within your internal club training where everyone knows each other's calls and plays." McCallum added: "It was tasty, it was good and Edinburgh are a big, strong pack. "That's the level we're going to be facing every week this season, and it was a really good session going toe-to-toe with those guys. "The lads are buzzing for the first game at Ampthill a week on Saturday because it's a long old pre-season with the World Cup being on." Click here to watch a full video interview with the two players. Newcastle Falcons' first home game of the season is on Friday November 15 when Bedford Blues visit Kingston Park in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Click here to buy tickets for the 7.45pm kick-off.