Adam Radwan poised to join Newcastle Falcons' hundred club

Adam Radwan has spoken of his pride at reaching the 100 game mark for Newcastle Falcons, with the flying winger poised to hit his century on Sunday.

If fit and selected for the 3pm home kick-off against Northampton Saints, the 25-year-old try machine insists it will be a huge honour to join the hundred club.

“It’s crept up on me, for sure,” said Radwan, the Osmotherly-born flyer who has scored 52 tries in his 99 appearances.

“I got told a few weeks ago that I was on 96 games, and to be honest I was shocked because I didn’t think it was that many.

“During the period since then I’ve been having a little think about my time at the club and the games I’ve played in, and it only feels like last week since I made my debut.

“It’s mad, really.”

Playing his junior rugby with Middlesbrough RUFC and also appearing for Billingham and Darlington Mowden Park, the human highlight reel has become a firm fans’ favourite with his pace and finishing prowess.

Signing a three-year contract extension in the summer and describing Newcastle as "the best city in the world,” Radwan made no attempt to disguise his feelings around his impending landmark.

“I think of Newcastle Falcons as my home town team and I feel massively proud to reach 100 games,” he said.

“It means a huge amount to me, and also to my family. They come to every single home match and a lot of the away ones, too.

“My family are a massive part of everything, and a big reason in terms of where I’ve got to where I am being a professional rugby player. Then I when I think about some of the other players who have got to 100 games for the club, it’s honestly a huge honour for me just to be spoken about in the same sentence as those guys.”

Asked to recall appearance number one all the way back in November 2016, Radwan said: “My debut for the club was Saracens away in the Cup, and funnily enough my 50th game was also away at Sarries.

“I was still at Hartlepool Sixth Form College at the time of my debut doing a BTEC in sport, and my college coach Chris Hyndman - who used to play for Northampton as it happens – pulled me in and said I was going to get a phonecall from Mark Laycock at Newcastle Falcons.

“Marko called me up and said there was going to be an opportunity over the next couple of weeks to get a run-out in the Prem Cup, and I was pretty nervous and excited at the same time.”

Keen to thank the Falcons’ faithful, he added: “Whenever I play I get a huge amount of support from the fans here, and it means a huge amount to me.

“They’re always really positive towards me even when I have a stinker, and they’re never on my back. I can’t tell you how good that feels, and I just want to reward them every time I go out there by getting them off their feet and giving them something to cheer about.”

Relishing the prospect of a televised tussle with the Saints, Radwan said: “Northampton are a team who love to attack and they’ve got some really skilful players throughout their side.

“I think they’re similar to us in lots of respects, like having a fairly young side with a lot of academy graduates in.

“It’ll be an exciting game, and if we can nail down a few things we’ll in a great position to push hard for our first win of the season.”