Preview - Falcons v London Irish
Falcons select tentatively for Irish visit
Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their side as they prepare for Sunday’s European Challenge Cup semi-final against London Irish at Kingston Park.
Director of rugby, Rob Andrew, will give fitness tests to a number of his team over the weekend as they bid to shake off a range of knocks.
"Under tournament regulations we have to name our team by noon on Friday, and while we are happy to do that, the number of fitness tests we have over the course of the weekend means that this team may well change by the time kick-off comes," said Andrew.
The Falcons have made two changes in the pack where Andy Perry is set to return for Luke Gross in the second row, although Perry will undergo a test on his shoulder before the match to see if he is able to start, as will fellow lock Geoff Parling.
Ben Woods replaces Cory Harris at openside flanker, while in the backs Jamie Noon comes in for the injured Mark Mayerhofler at inside centre and Dave Walder starts for Toby Flood at fly half.
"We want our strongest possible team out there on Sunday, and so we will give the injured players a bit of time to prove their fitness," said Andrew.
"The implications of this game are massive with a place in a European final and the prospect of Heineken Cup rugby, so we are throwing absolutely everything in to it."
Meanwhile, London Irish will be without nine members of their senior squad for Sunday’s match.
Danie Coetzee, Barry Everitt, Adrian Flavin, Paul Gustard, Adam Halsey, Michael Horak, Ross Laidlaw, Juan Leguizamon and Nils Mordt. Are all ruled out through injury, but Director of Rugby Brian Smith is happy with the side he has been able to select.
"We are taking our strongest available match squad to Newcastle," said Smith.
"The players have been performing well recently and we have confidence in their ability to concentrate on doing a job in Kingston Park. It is going to be a good challenge and one that we are looking forward to meeting."
Form: Both teams go into this semi-final clash on the back of morale-boosting wins. Newcastle saved their extremely sketchy season with a well-taken 32-21 victory over Sale Sharks whilst the Exiles clinched a last-gasp 28-24 victory over Leeds Tykes. But momentum appears to be with the Londoners - they are riding high in the league and have only one loss in their last six Premiership outings, a 29-21 home defeat to Sale on March 25. Newcastle lie ninth with eight wins from 20 league encounters but seem to be improving with drier pitches better suited to their style of play.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Matthew Burke, 14 Tom May, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Jamie Noon, 11 Anthony Elliott, 10 Dave Walder, 9 James Grindal, 8 Colin Charvis (c), 7 Ben Woods, 6 Mike McCarthy, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Andy Perry, 3 Robbie Morris, 2 Andy Long, 1 Micky Ward.
Replacements: 16 Jonny Williams, 17 Matt Thompson, 18 Owen Finegan, 19 Cory Harris, 20 Toby Flood, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Jonny Wilkinson.
London Irish: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Mike Catt (c), 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Riki Flutey, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Phil Murphy, 7 Olivier Magne, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Kieran Roche, 4 Bob Casey, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 Robbie Russell, 1 Neal Hatley.
Replacements: 16 Michael Collins, 17 David Paice, 18 Richard Skuse, 19 Nick Kennedy, 20 Kieron Dawson, 21 Darren Edwards, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Date: Sunday, April 23
Kick-off: 12:35 (11:35 GMT)
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Touch judges: Hugh Watkins (Wales), A N Other