Falcons boosted by returning trio
Newcastle Falcons have received a triple fitness boost ahead of Friday’s Guinness Premiership visit of Harlequins to Kingston Park.
England Saxons scrumhalf Micky Young (elbow), Junior All Black flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth (ankle) and England rugby league international Danny Williams (hamstring) have all bounced back from their respective injuries, forming part of a side showing six changes from last week’s visit to Leicester.
Elsewhere in the side Peter Browne comes onto the blindside flank as Ed Williamson misses out due to gastroenteritis, with the other two changes also coming in the pack as Mark Sorenson makes way for Tim Swinson and Matt Thompson assumes hooking duties from Rob Vickers.
With two draws and a narrow defeat away to the champions from their Premiership outings so far, director of rugby Steve Bates admitted that the Falcons hadn’t been at their best, but he insist the team had showed signs of their ability
“We’re perhaps missing a little bit of team cohesion here and there, but I’m not sure that you can really short cut that process,” Bates said.
“That subtlety of teamwork is not quite there yet, and it’s a case of understanding that nine times out of ten the player next to you is going to do this as opposed to that.
“It can be the difference between getting through a small gap and not getting through, but the guys are working hard in training and the signs are positive.”
Despite ‘Quins still being winless in this year’s campaign, Bates was taking nothing for granted.
“We can’t underestimate the quality that Harlequins have got, despite the fact that they are yet to win a game this season,” he said, “Despite their injuries they still have an excellent squad to pick from.
“They’ve got an exciting backline with an excellent kicker in Nick Evans, and we know we will have to be very efficient if we are going to put them under some pressure during the game.”
‘Quins will be looking to put the disappointment of the last few weeks behind them and they have made four changes to the starting lineup that lost to Saracens last Saturday at the Stoop.
In the backs, Harlequin fans will welcome the return of Gonzalo Camacho to the wing, along with Danny Care into the scrumhalf position. George Lowe moves into centre to replace the injured Jordan Turner-Hall, where he will partner Tosh Masson.
The starting forwards stay the same but the bench sees new signing James Johnston make his debut on the bench, along with Shane O’Connor who returns to the Quins line-up.
Teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu’ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Peter Browne, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Gcobani Bobo.
Harlequins: 15 Ugo Monye, 14 Davis Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Gonzalo Comacho, 10 Nick Evans,9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Jim Evans, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 3 Mark Lambert, 2 Gary Botha, 1Ceri Jones
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall 17 Tani Fuga, 18 James Johnston 19 Shane O’Connor
20. Tom Guest, 21 Gareth Williams 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Josh Drauniniu
Date: Friday, 25 September
Time: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
