Shane Kirkwood, a South African rugby union player who regularly plays as a lock, made his Falcons debut against the Griffons which ended in a 30-all draw.
Shane Monro Kirkwood (born 6 September 1989 in Alberton, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for Bourgoin in the Federale 1 in France. He regularly plays as a lock. He made his Falcons debut  and his first senior match for more than four years  in their season-opening match against the Griffons. The match ended in a 30-all draw, but Kirkwood's debut was marred by a yellow card he received in the 12th minute of the match. 
