ADAM RADWAN is delighted to be making the most of his second chance with Newcastle Falcons, and the Teesside winger is hoping to enjoy more success in tomorrow’s opening Anglo-Welsh Cup encounter with Wasps.

Having joined the Falcons’ academy after being plucked from National Three North side Billingham, Radwan was released back into the local rugby scene before the start of last season to play with Darlington Mowden Park.

He returned to the Newcastle fold this summer though, and having caught the eye during the club’s run to the Singha 7s final in July, scored three tries in the space of three games during the pre-season schedule.

He crossed the line again as he made his European Challenge Cup debut against Dragons last month, and was an influential figure as Falcons claimed a thrilling 21-20 win at Bordeaux-Begles a fortnight ago.

“It’s been a good year so far, my first as a full-time player, and I’ve really enjoyed it,” said the 19-year-old. “I started last season playing for Billingham, and when I signed my deal with the Falcons I spent the rest of that season with Darlington Mowden Park in preparation for starting with the Falcons in the summer.

“When I got released by the academy a year ago, they gave me a few things to work on. I spent some time putting in that work, and it was great to see they were as good as their word in taking me back on.

“I enjoyed the pre-season matches. I just wanted to come in, have a go, and thankfully it seemed to go okay. I’ve played in both of the European games since then, which has been great, and it’s just a good environment to be in with learning from some world-class wingers.

“I’m coming into training every day and learning from top-class mentors like Niki Goneva, Sinoti, Alex Tait and lads like that. To be with those boys is class, and you can’t fail to improve. We’re all different players, you take a bit from each of them and it’s just a really positive environment.”

A livewire winger, who loves to stretch out his legs and look for a step, Radwan’s performances often lit up the Northern Echo Arena during his time with Mowden Park.

He is playing on a much more rarefied stage with Falcons, but does not want to adapt his style too much with his Premiership employers keen to adopt an expansive, attacking game.

“I like to beat defenders, show some footwork and a bit of pace, and I’m someone who likes to have a go,” said Radwan. “I love scoring tries, but I know I have a lot to learn and that’s what I’m doing every day in training.

“The senior players here are all very helpful in giving me pointers alongside the coaching staff, and that’s what’s great.

“The Falcons’ game plan suits me as a player because we play at a high tempo, we get the ball wide, and I want to be involved. It’s an exciting style, we have players who fit into that pattern, and hopefully our supporters enjoy seeing us show that kind of ambition.”

Falcons have been drawn in a daunting Anglo-Welsh Cup group that features Cardiff Blues and Bath as well as tomorrow’s opponents, Wasps.

The competition plays third fiddle to the Premiership and European Challenge Cup, but while Dean Richards will use it to experiment, it still offers a route to some silverware.

“We’re sending down a squad which is more than capable of coming back with a win,” said Radwan. “We’re well prepared and it has been a good week. We’ve had Mark Laycock, Jimmy Ponton and Scotty MacLeod taking more of a lead role in training, and it has been good fun.

“Wasps will be a good test down there because they like to play an expansive game. They’re similar to ourselves in many ways, but we just need to stick to our strengths and let them worry about us.”