Big man Hayman back for Falcons

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Bates will welcome back a host of stars for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash at Kingston Park, when the Falcons play host to northern rivals Leeds Carnegie.

Club captain and former All Blacks stalwart Carl Hayman is among those returning in a new-look front row, as fit-again prop Jon Golding and hooker Rob Vickers also resume their places in the starting XV.

In the second row there is a recall for Tim Swinson, while Brent Wilson returns from injury on the openside flank.

The backline sees just two changes to the team which claimed a bonus point away in Amlin Challenge Cup action at Montauban last weekend, with fit-again Rob Vickerman returning against his former club in the centres and Springbok Gcobani Bobo starting on the right wing.

"We're welcoming back a few guys from little niggles," said the Falcons Director of Rugby, "and we're pretty happy with where we are injury-wise at the moment."

Leeds, like Newcastle, have also made a few changes to their starting line-up ahead of the weekend.

Up front, hooker Rob Rawlinson takes over the No.2 jersey from Phil Nilsen, whilst Juan Gomez replaces Tommy McGee at tighthead prop.

In changes to the Leeds backs division, former England No.9 Andy Gomarsall replaces Scott Mathie at scrumhalf, whilst young winger Scott Armstong comes in for Richard Welding - who is out with an ankle injury - in the No.14 shirt.

Nineteen-year-old flyhalf Joe Ford is also back in the squad, on the bench, as is winger Henry Fa'afili, who has just completed a three-week suspension after being sent off whilst on international duty with Samoa.

* Fans wishing to buy seated tickets for the game at Kingston Park are urged to call 0871 226 60 60, with only a few seats left for what is expected to be the club's biggest home crowd of the season so far.

The teams:

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Gcobani Bobo, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Josh Afu, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Will Welch, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Tom Biggs.

Leeds Carnegie: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Scott Armstrong, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Henry Paul, 11 Lee Blackett, 10 Ceiron Thomas, 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Alfie To'oala, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Erik Lund, 3 Juan Gomez, 2 Rob Rawlinson, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Vili Ma'asi, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Tommy McGee, 19 Rhys Oakley, 20 Calum Clark, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Henry Fa'afili.

Date: Sunday, December 27
Venue: Kingston Park
Kick-off: 15.00
Referee: Andrew Small
Assistant referees: Martin Buck, Paul Emerson
Television match official: Trevor Parlett