NEWCASTLE might be languishing at the foot of the table, but former British and Irish Lion Danny Grewcock believes they have a man up for the fight in skipper James Hudson.
Grewcock and Hudson's paths crossed at Bath, before the latter moved on to pastures new with London Irish, before then arriving at Kingston Park in 2009, where he was handed the captaincy just a season later.
Under his leadership the Falcons have failed to set English rugby alight, narrowly avoiding relegation last season in the place of Leeds and once again are rooted to the bottom this campaign.
But this is no slight on the 30-year-old who has been a shining light in the Falcons' struggles, fighting his way back from a knee injury last season to rediscover his form in Newcastle's engine room.
And while Alan Tait's side are up against it to stay in the Premiership this term, Grewcock is adamant they have a man in Hudson who will fight tooth and nail for the cause.
"James has shown a true test of character in what he has been doing at Newcastle and deserves a lot of credit," said World Cup winner Grewcock, who is an ambassador for SSE - a leading energy company and National Community Partner of the RFU.
"It isn't easy when things aren't quite going your way as it hasn't done for Newcastle in recent seasons.
"But James' form hasn't dipped during some tough times for the club and he has shown himself to have a very strong character and to be a very tough player.
"I always saw that in him from when I was with him at Bath and I know that Alan Tait will be delighted that he has him leading his side as he has shown his desire and worth to the club.
"It is hard to pick everyone up and at the same time put in a good performance yourself but James has been doing that and deserves a lot of credit for that."
To date the closest Hudson has come to representing England has been with the Saxons.
And despite admitting he faces a fight on many fronts to force his way into the first team, Grewcock wouldn't put it past his former teammate.
"James isn't getting any younger and will still have ambitions to play for England and why shouldn't he," he added.
"Whoever comes in and takes the England coaching job will be starting anew and will be looking at players with a clean slate.
"And the performances James has put in for Newcastle means he has given himself as good a chance as any of the other guys out there."
For your chance to WIN a training session with SSE's community rugby ambassador, Danny Grewcock, log on to www.rfu.com/ssecompetition.
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