Preview: Newcastle v London Wasps
November 27 2008
Newcastle have made just two changes for Friday's Guinness Premiership visit of London Wasps to Kingston Park.
Flanker Ed Williamson resumes his place on the blindside after recovering from shoulder trouble, taking over from Tim Swinson as James Grindal starts at scrum-half in the only other change to the team which faced Worcester last week.
Full-back Steve Jones starts the game despite leaving the field just 20 minutes into the Worcester match with a knee injury, having made a remarkable recovery during the week.
Meanwhile, London Wasps will be boosted by a return of two of their internationals.
Journeying to the North East for the second time in as many months, Eoin Reddan and Simon Shaw return to Wasps matchday 22, as the side go in search of Premiership victory.
After an encouraging display, despite a frustrating 76th minute defeat at the hands of Sale last weekend, Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan has made just two changes to his starting XV.
Scrum-half Eoin Reddan returns to club duty from the Irish squad, replacing Mark Robinson, who misses out on a place in the squad with young gun Joe Simpson named as cover on the bench.
Now fully recovered from a mild strain to his lateral knee ligament picked up against Harlequins, Wasps Academy talent Simpson will be looking to replicate his two tries in two replacement appearances seen this season so far.
The second change comes in the front row where club captain Raphaël Ibañez is replaced by Rob Webber. The former French international is ruled out of Friday's game following a knock to the head in Sunday's game against Sale.
As well as Simpson's inclusion on the bench, two further changes can be seen amongst the replacements with Wasps Academy prop Charlie Beech and England lock Simon Shaw named as part of the matchday 22.
"We are pleased to have some of our experience back in Eoin Reddan and Simon Shaw for what will be a major challenge in Newcastle on Friday," said McGeechan.
"We will be looking to build on the much improved performance that was seen at Adams Park on Sunday against Sale and morale remains high amongst the squad as we look to the next challenge."
Form: Newcastle Falcons have lost their last five matches in all competitions. In the Guinness Premiership the Falcons have not won since their 17-3 home victory over Bristol on September 26. London Wasps have lost their last three games in the Guinness Premiership and another reversal would represent the club's poorest run in the competition since season 2001/02. Wasps have won twice on the road this season: 28-19 at Leicester in the Premiership and 26-13 at Newcastle in the EDF Energy Cup. Wasps have won six of the last seven meetings with Newcastle in all competitions, the Falcons most recent victory being 37-11 at Kingston Park in the Guinness Premiership on 23 February 2007.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Tom May, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 James Grindal, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Ed Williamson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 David Wilson, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Andy Perry, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Tim Visser, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Spencer Davey.
London Wasps: 15 Lachlan Mitchell, 14 Chris Bishay, 13 Josh Lewsey, 12 Mark Van Gisbergen, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Joe Worsley (c), 7 Serge Betsen, 6 Dan Leo, 5 Richard Birkett, 4 George Skivington, 3 Pat Barnard, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tom French.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 John Hart, 19 Simon Shaw, 20 Joe Simpson, 21 Hugo Ellis, 22 Jeremy Staunton.
Date: Friday, 28 November
Venue: Kingston Park
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Referee: Andrew Small
Touch judges: Don Helme, Paul Emerson
Assessor: Nigel Yates
Television match official: Trevor Parlett, David Matthews