PREVIEW: Premiership, Round 12
Newcastle are ninth in Premiership Rugby, having recorded several impressive wins this season and have shown they can mix it with the bigger teams in the division.
Falcons have dug out impressive victories over Northampton Saints, Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby, and Welsh is hoping the momentum and confidence generated by those wins can translate into points.
However, Falcons’ fixtures do not get any easier, following up leaders and defending champions Saracens with home clashes against Wasps and then Bath Rugby (January 6) in the next few days.
"Every team is different," Welsh said. "Wasps are a quality side and have a bit of flair.
"Their backs were very impressive in the [40-26] win over Bath – they have a pretty electric backline.
"We believe we can win both games and it’s about applying our plans. Hopefully, we’ll come away with the points.
"We’re building as a club, and we’re working on what we need to address to get better and get up there to start competing with these teams.
"Good wins build confidence in the club, and among supporters as well. I think if we can take that each game each week, it’s only going to be good for us.
"It’s such a huge difference when you’re playing with confidence and when you’re not. To get wins against teams like Harlequins, Gloucester and Northampton, these are big games and big teams, so for us to get those wins is great,"
Newcastle were on the end of a 21-6 reverse to leaders Saracens on Christmas Eve.
Despite staying in the game for much of the match, Falcons ultimately fell short after tries by Marcelo Bosch, and Chris Ashton, on his return from suspension, sealed the win for the hosts.
"We talked about coming up against the big teams,” Welsh said. "It’s going to take an extra one or two per cent to get the better of them.
"On the day, Saracens were just a bit too good for us. But we had a good crack at them, we tore into them at the start of the game, and we took the set-piece away from them that they pride themselves on,"
We take a look at all the Round 12 action!!!
Friday, December 30
Newcastle Falcons v Wasps
(Kingston Park, Newcastle – Kick-off: 19.45; 19.45 GMT)
Newcastle Falcons have won two of their last three matches in Premiership Rugby whilst at Kingston Park they have obtained back-to-back victories over Harlequins in Premiership Rugby and Lyon in the European Challenge Cup, scoring 6 tries in each game.
Wasps only loss in their last five Premiership Rugby encounters was at Gloucester in Round Eight. Wasps have scored 12 more tries that any other side in the competition but four teams have conceded fewer tries. Wasps have won only once on the road in any competition since September, 26-12 at Worcester in Round 10 of Premiership Rugby.
Wasps are unbeaten in their last eight fixtures with the Falcons since Newcastle’s 14-10 victory at Adams Park in May 2012, although the two clubs did play out a 23-all draw at Kingston Park in February 2015.
The teams:
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Belisario Agulla, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Opeti Fonua, 7 Mark Wilson (captain), 6 Ally Hogg, 5 Will Witty, 4 Calum Green, 3 Jon Welsh, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Rob Vickers
Replacements: 16 Ben Sowrey, 17 Ben Harris, 18 David Wilson, 19 Tyrone Holmes, 20 Will Welch, 21 Sam Egerton, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Dominic Waldouck
Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Guy Thompson, 6 Thomas Young, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Matt Mullan (c)
Replacements: 16 Ashley Johnson, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Alex Rieder, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Guy Armitage
Referee: Tom Foley
Assistant referees: Simon McConnell, Greg Macdonald
TMO: Stuart Terheege
Saturday, December 31
Bath v Exeter Chiefs
(Recreation Ground, Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
Bath Rugby’s last four matches in Premiership Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst they have not been defeated at the Recreation Ground in the tournament since Saracens were the visitors on April 1.
Exeter Chiefs have won their last four Premiership Rugby fixtures since Bath beat them 13-10 at Sandy Park in Round Seven. Exeter have won their last three away games in all competitions but have not won four in a row on the road away from home in the same season since 2011/12.
Bath are attempting to achieve a first Premiership Rugby double over the Chiefs since season 2013/14 whilst Exeter’s only previous victory at Bath in any tournament is 22-19 in the semi-final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup in March 2014.
Teams:
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Aled Brew, 10 George Ford (cc), 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Tom Ellis, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Matt Garvey (co-captain), 3 Max Lahiff, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Nathan Catt.
Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Shaun Knight, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Paul Grant, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Max Clark, 23 Anthony Watson.
Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Ollie Devoto, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson (co-captain), 9 Will Chudley, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Don Armand, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Jack Yeandle, 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Ollie Atkins, 20 Kai Horstmann, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Joe Simmonds, 23 James Short.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Gregory M Garner, Phil Watters
TMO: Geoff Warren
Sunday, January 1
Sale Sharks v Bristol
(AJ Bell Stadium – Kick-off: 14.30; 14.30 GMT)
Sale Sharks have lost their last seven matches in all tournaments since beating Wasps 17-13 at AJ Bell Stadium in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on November 4. The Sharks solitary victory in Premiership Rugby since early October came on the visit to Bristol in Round Seven.
Bristol Rugby obtained their first win in Premiership Rugby for seven years against Worcester on Boxing Day and have not won successive matches in the competition since March 2008, which coincidently were their most recent away victories in the competition, at Leeds and at Newcastle.
Sale have won their last five encounters with Bristol in Premiership Rugby since Bristol’s 10-6 victory at Edgeley Park exactly a decade ago. Bristol have however beaten the Sharks this season 26-11 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup at Ashton Gate in November.
Teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Mike Haley, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Josh Charnley, 10 Sam James, 9 James Mitchell, 8 Josh Beaumont(captain), 7 Magnus Lund, 6 Cameron Neild, 5 Andrei Ostrikov, 4 Jonathan Mills, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 James Flynn, 18 Kieran Longbottom, 19 Ben Curry, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 AJ MacGinty, 23 Byron McGuigan.
Bristol: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Jack Wallace, 13 Thretton Palamo 12 Will Hurrell, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Will Cliff, 8 Mitch Eadie, 7 Olly Robinson (captain), 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Ben Glynn, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Gaston Cortes, 2 Rob Hawkins, 1 Ryan Bevington.
Replacements: 16 Max Crumpton, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 19 James Phillips, 20 Mark Sorenson, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Adrian Jarvis, 23 Luke Arscott.
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Wayne Falla, Andrew Jackson
TMO: Keith Lewis
Leicester Tigers v Saracens
(Welford Road – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
Leicester Tigers three game winning run in Premiership Rugby ended at Exeter on Christmas Eve. The Tigers only defeat at Welford Road in their last 14 matches in all tournaments was to Wasps in Round two of Premiership Rugby.
Saracens only defeat in Premiership Rugby since Round four was 11-14 at Bath in their most recent away game. Saracens have conceded only nine tries in the first half of the season, eight better than the next best club.
Leicester’s only victory in their last six fixtures with Saracens was 21-13 at Welford Road in this equivalent fixture in round 17 last season. Saracens have won just once at Welford Road since September 2011, 32-27 in February 2013.
Teams:
Leicester Tigers: 15 Freddie Burns, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Jack Roberts, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Owen Williams, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Lachlan McCaffrey, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs (captain), 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Greg Bateman, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Will Evans, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 George Worth, 23 Tom Brady.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Brad Barritt (captain), 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Michael Rhodes, 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Jamie George, 1 Richard Barrington.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Neil De Kock, 22 Alex Lozowski, 23 Nathan Earle.
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Paul Dix, Roger Baileff
TMO: David Grashoff
Worcester Warriors v Harlequins
(Sixways, Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
Worcester Warriors have won only once in Premiership Rugby in the last 15 matches since March, 11-9 at home to Newcastle on October 2, whilst they have tallied just one league point from their last six matches during the 17-18 defeat at home to Northampton in Round eight.
Harlequins only defeat in their last five matches in all tournaments was 32-38 at Newcastle in round 10 of Aviva Premiership Rugby. All eleven of Harlequins matches in Premiership Rugby this season have gone the way of the home team.
Harlequins have won fourteen of their last fifteen encounters with the Warriors in Premiership Rugby, the exception being a 15-21 reversal at The Stoop in round 17 last season. ‘Quins have in fact only lost once in any competition at Sixways: 7-33 in Premiership Rugby on their first ever visit in October 2004.
Teams:
Warriors: 15 Josh Adams, 14 Dean Hammond, 13 Ben Te’o, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Ryan Mills, 9 Michael Dowsett, 8 Alafoti Faosiliva, 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Dewald Potgieter (captain), 5 Darren Barry, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Jack Singleton, 1 Val Rapava Ruskin.
Replacements: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Na’ama Leleimalefaga, 18 Biyi Alo, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Phil Dowson, 21 George de Cothi, 22 Connor Braid, 23 Wynand Olivier.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Alofa Alofa, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Danny Care (captain), 8 Jack Clifford, 7 Luke Wallace, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 Charlie Matthews, 4 George Merrick, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Rob Buchanan, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Dave Ward, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Will Collier, 19 Stan South, 20 James Chisholm, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Charlie Walker.
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Ross Campbell, Peter Allan
TMO: David Rose
Gloucester Rugby v Northampton Saints
(Kingsholm – Kick-off: 15.00; 15.00 GMT)
Gloucester Rugby’s last five matches in Premiership Rugby have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst Gloucester have not been defeated at Kingsholm in any tournament since Bath were the visitors in Premiership Rugby on October 1.
Northampton Saints 24-5 win at home to Sale on December 23 ended a four game losing run in all competitions, although the Saints have won just only once away from home in Premiership Rugby since September, and that by a single point at Worcester in Round eight.
Northampton are unbeaten in their last eight fixtures with Gloucester in all competitions including two this season at Franklin’s Gardens, in Round Seven of Premiership Rugby and Round two of the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The Saints have been defeated just once in their last four trips to Kingsholm in Premiership Rugby
Teams:
Gloucester: 15 James Hook, 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Andrew Symons, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Willi Heinz (captain), 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Lewis Ludlow, 5 Jeremy Thrush, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Josh Hohneck.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Paddy McAllister, 18 John Afoa, 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Greig Laidlaw, 22 Matt Scott, 23 Henry Purdy.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 JJ Hanrahan, 11 George North, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Teimana Harrison, 6 Tom Wood (captain), 5 Christian Day, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Mikey Haywood, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Harry Mallinder, 23 Juan Pablo Estelles.
Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant referees: Dean Richards, Nigel Carrick
TMO: Graham Hughes
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