Lamb and Pigford set for Kingston Park outing
Two Sunderland Flames have been selected in a Newcastle Falcons Women's Invitational XV which will take to the field for the first time at Kingston Park Stadium today.
Fly half Charlotte Lamb and hooker Ellie Pigford will feature in the match against Novos, which is a 2pm kick-off on the main field, Newcastle bringing a team together for their first ever fixture.
Longer term the plan is to bid for a place in the Tyrrells Premier 15s, former Falcons prop Rob Vickers having been appointed head coach. Today’s game is an early step on this journey as the Falcons look to put in place a squad for further invitational games next year, with supporters invited to watch the game free of charge via the East Stand.
Sunderland Chairman Paul Geehan said: "This is a tremendous honour for the women's team, the club and the players themselves."
*Marco Silva said he has not spent "one minute" thinking about speculation regarding his future at Everton and still feels he has the confidence of the board.
Defeat by Norwich last time out put Silva's position back under the microscope, with the Toffees down in 16th place ahead of Sunday's trip to high-flying Leicester. In a tense but defiant press conference, Silva said: "I don't waste my focus thinking about this situation.
"My focus is always on my players and what I can control and the next match. I don't lose one minute thinking about this situation.
"I didn't read (anything). Of course I had more or less the feedback but not everything. I try to put all my energy into things that can help me and my players to perform and to improve."