Or not, as the case may be. In typically cagey fashion, this comes from The Evening Chronicle. For background, Jamie Murray is the older brother of Andrew who played against Cornwall at Twickenham. In his younger days he played at the HK sevens for Scotland, had a couple of seasons at Melrose and returned to Tyne. That coincided with their massive improvement in 2006/7. Don't know much about Greg Irvin - he came to Tyne at the beginning of last season having played no 8 for England Students, but got injured for Falcons Academy following a cameo appearance off the bench for Tyne. You may have to wait until mid to late August for the names of any newcomers to be announced if history repeats itself.

And here comes the cut and pasted text -

JOHN SHOTTON reckons Tynedale’s National Three North-winning squad can do the business in National Two.

Tynedale chairman of rugby Shotton will bring in some new faces before the pre-season start date of July 8, but will stick to the majority of the squad that blitzed their division last year.

The Corbridge men entertain Boroughmuir at Tynedale Park on August 16 in their first warm-up match, followed by Melrose at home on August 23, then a trip to Fylde on August 30.

With influential back-rowers Jamie Murray and Greg Irvin back after long-term injuries, Shotton said the competition for places will be tougher than ever.

Shotton said: “Jamie missed all but two games last year with a cruciate knee ligament injury and Greg only played 20 minutes for us after he dislocated his knee cap again.

“So both of those are almost like new additions themselves because obviously we did not have them available for last year.

“We are very, very happy with our squad for the new season. We will probably bring in about five players, but in the main it will be very similar to last year.

“We feel that we have the quality to compete in the division – obviously there will be a step-up and we’ll need to get used to that, but hopefully we can put up a good fight.

“The manner in which we won National Three should give us a lot of confidence, and we have a big pool of players already, so we just did not feel we needed any massive recruitment drive.

“If we can get ourselves a couple of early wins and settle into life in National Two then we will be OK, but everyone is aware that it will be a massive challenge for us.

“The players and coaches are excited by that challenge, but are also not about to underestimate how much hard work we need to put in ahead of the start of the season.”

With 24 wins, one draw and one defeat from 26 matches last year, Tynedale romped to promotion as National Three champions, 29 points clear of second-placed Darlington Mowden Park.

While Shotton said that record can be cause for confidence, he said the extra travelling, intensity and higher standard will make for a huge test.

Shotton said: “Now we are playing teams across the country on a weekly basis that will be bound to take its toll, so we have to manage that carefully.

“It’s just a case of looking at every little detail and getting it right before the season starts.”

He's at it again

Cut and pasted from the Hexham Courant

THE biggest season in Tynedale Rugby Club’s history kicks off tomorrow at Tynedale Park, Corbridge.

And visitors Mounts Bay are not relishing the prospect of being Tynedale’s first foots in the uncharted waters of National League Division Two.

For they are embarking on the mammoth 1,000 mile round trip from their ground in Penzance in Cornwall by bus.

Mounts Bay have their own dedicated team coach, the whimsically named Bay Hound Bus, but even though they are travelling north today, 500 miles on the road is not the ideal preparation for anyone.

Tynedale intend to fly down to Cornwall for the return game on the day of the match.

Division Two is new ground for Mounts Bay too, having been promoted as champions of National League Division Three South.

Tynedale still have a few key players on the treatment table, including club skipper Phil Belgian, first XV skipper Jamie Murray and the versatile Greg Irvin.

However, there will be a lot of new faces to get used to in the 23-strong squad from which the side was being selected last night.

New faces include James Hoyle, formerly of Sale Sharks, and Peter Cole from Morpeth, a try scorer in Northumberland’s win over Cornish opposition at Twickenham in May.

The game kicks off at 3pm and Tynedale are hoping for a bumper crowd to launch their campaign for still further national kudos.

TYNEDALE: James Hoyle; Rob Miller, Ben Duncan, Peter Cole, Jack Harrison; Gavin Beasley, Fraser Shaw, Ross Samson, Jack Smales; Rupert Harden, Jonny Williams, Peter Southern; Aaron Charlton, Joe Graham, Matthew Fieldhouse; Ben Marshall, Kevin Showler, Graeme Macgilchrist; Eni Gesinde, Grant Beasley, Grant Rastall, Andrew Murray, Stuart Johnson.

That squad contains 9 backs and 14 forwards, of which 6 are back row, 3 are hookers and only one is old enough to have played for Tyne before they were promoted into National Leagues. 11 have come through the junior ranks at Tyne. I've highlighted the 15 players I expect to start. The most interesting implication of this squad is that it suggests Jonny Wilkinson is playing for Falcons on Sunday.