'Firey encounter' at Kingston Park
Newcastle Falcons have made just one change to their side for Friday night's Guinness Premiership visit of Northampton Saints to Kingston Park.
Following on from Sunday's 15-11 win at high-flying London Irish Director of Rugby Steve Bates has chosen to stick with the bulk of that side, the only change coming on the wing as Tom Biggs replaces fellow Yorkshireman Danny Williams.
Speaking ahead of the game, Bates said: "Last weekend was a fantastic result down at London Irish, on the back of a lot of hard work.
"A Sunday to Friday turnaround has meant we have had to manage the players' workload during the week, but everyone is keen to get back out there following such a great result in Reading."
With a relatively clean bill of health on the injury front seeing Brent Wilson as the only front-line absentee while Filipo Levi remains on international duty with Samoa, Bates said: "We're picking from strength, but we know that Northampton will provide a huge challenge on Friday night.
"They have quality players right across the field and, like ourselves, have won their last three Guinness Premiership games, so it should be a cracking match for the supporters.
"One player we will all be familiar with, of course, is our former captain Phil Dowson, and knowing Dows as I do I'm sure we can look forward to a suitably firey encounter."
With the Falcons hopeful of recording their biggest home crowd of the season, Bates said: "The Friday night atmospheres are always special at Kingston Park, and if our fans come out in their numbers then it will be a great occasion to really lift the players."
Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder meanwhile has revealed how big a challenge he regards the Falcons as his side preoares to travel to Kingston Park.
The Falcons have won their last three Guinness Premiership matches, including away games at London Irish and Bath.
So Mallinder says that he and the Northampton players will be treating the north-east outfit with plenty of respect.
"Kingston Park is a difficult place to go and win," he said. "Newcastle have a robust, competitive pack and a sensible approach to their rugby. Their half-backs are disciplined, the two centres are tough and attack-minded, and their back three like to play. As the season has gone on they have become better and better and won crucial games at the Rec and the Madejski Stadium.
"However we were happy with many aspects of our play against Harlequins last week and have trained well in the last few days. We scored some good tries, and we will have to take our opportunities when we get them. We are also going to have to improve our defence as well. We were sloppy last week and know we can do a lot better."
The Teams:
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Will Welch, 6 Tim Swinson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Josh Afu, 20 Ed Williamson, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Gcobani Bobo
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Santiago Bonorino, 2 Dylan Hartley (captain), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Regardt Dreyer, 18 Euan Murray, 19 Christian Day, 20 Scott Gray, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Joe Ansbro
Date: Friday, November 27
Venue: Kingston Park
Time: 20.00 (20.00 GMT)
Referee: Greg Garner
Assistant referees: Alan Hughes, Martin Buck
TMO: Trevor Parlett