Preview: Newcastle v Sale
September 11 2009
Newcastle Falcons have made three changes to their side for Sunday's Guinness Premiership visit of Sale Sharks to Kingston Park.
A rejigged back-row sees Samoan international Filipo Levi make his competition debut at number eight after recovering from a foot injury, with Ed Williamson coming on to the blindside flank.
The only other change to the side from that which drew 9-9 at Leeds sees Charlie Amesbury start on the right wing, with a hamstring injury ruling out Danny Williams.
On the bench there is a return for centre Tane Tu'ipulotu after picking up a neck injury in the pre-season victory over Edinburgh, with Carl Hayman once again captaining the Falcons side.
"Tane is recovering well, but we will give him a fitness test on the day just to make absolutely sure he is okay to join the bench," said Rugby Director Steve Bates when explaining the decision to bench Tu'ipulotu.
"If he doesn't come through that then we will go with Tom Catterick, and with Adam Balding also carrying a bit of a knock we have Peter Browne on standby for the bench should Adam not come through his fitness test.
"The only other real injury problem we picked up last weekend was Danny Williams who went off with a hamstring problem, but that one hopefully isn't too serious and we have an able replacement in Charlie Amesbury to slot into that position on the right wing."
With Sale also try-less despite a physical victory over champions Leicester Tigers, Bates said he was keen to cross the whitewash this weekend.
"Neither side managed a try last weekend, but in front of our home supporters this Sunday we want to go out there and play some really exciting winning rugby," he added.
"I don't think Sale set out to go for kicks last Friday against Leicester, watching the game they actually tried to play at times but just didn't get the opportunity to keep the ball in hand.
"In the second half the rain made it a lot more difficult for both teams, and I think it's a bit disrespectful to assume that Sale's only attacking weapon is to grind games out through the forwards. They have lots of exciting players, and we'll be expecting them to give it a real go up here on Sunday."
Meanwhile, Sale have been boosted by the return to club duty of British & Irish Lions prop Andrew Sheridan.
The Sharks are looking to maintain their winning start to the season after upsetting defending champions at home last Friday.
Mathew Tait will be making his first start of the season at outside centre against his former club and the Sharks hope that Tait's familiarity with Kingston Park will provide his team with some competitive insight as the stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for them
"I told the players last week that the fact that everyone seems to have written us off because a few players have left was an insult to them," said Director of Rugby Kingsley Jones.
"They showed against Leicester that we have some real quality in our side, and when it came down to it, I believe we won that game because we wanted it more.
"We have to be hungry again on Sunday against Newcastle. We have a lot of respect for them, particularly up front where I think that have the best pack in the Premiership. It will be a real battle and a real test of our character."
Looking ahead, Kingsley also wants to see more support for his side, who had been written off by many ahead of the new season.
"I believe we have a group of players that can really gel and compete for a top four spot this season," he said.
"We have some really talented local players like James Gaskell and David Tait earning themselves a spot in our starting XV. We have strong competition in all places and a squad full of players who are willing to fight for that blue Sharks' jersey.
"Not that I am looking ahead, but I was slightly disappointed to learn from the club that the next home game against Bath is not looking like a sell out. This club and these players deserve to play in front of big crowds, particularly at home.
"The support we had against Leicester in the final ten minutes, I think made a huge difference to the win. I hope we have that same kind of support when we return home against Bath."
Form: Newcastle Falcons tied 9-all with Leeds on Sunday. No team has ever begun a Premiership season with a pair of drawn games. The Falcons only win in their last seven outings was 14-10 over Leicester at Kingston Park on 27 March. Sale Sharks, who defeated Leicester 15-12 on Friday, have won their last three Guinness Premiership matches but all those games were played at Edgeley Park. Away from home the Sharks have won just one in nine in all competitions. Newcastle and Sale shared the spoils last season in the Guinness Premiership with each side winning away from home when they met, Sale breaking their long time duck in achieving a first ever victory in 18 years of visiting Kingston Park.
The teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Gcobani Bobo, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Ed Williamson, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Tane Tu'ipulotu.
Sale: 15 Marika Vakacegu, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Ben Cohen, 10 Lee Thomas, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 David Tait, 7 Neil Briggs, 6 James Gaskell, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Gavin Kerr, 18 Jack Forster, 19 David Seymour, 20 Rob O'Donnell, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Chris Bell.
Date: Sunday, September 13
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Martin Fox