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Newcastle Falcons v Saracens
- Thread starter Teh Mite
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Newcastle Falcons boss Alan Tait welcomes back playmaker Jimmy Gopperth for Friday's Aviva Premiership visit of Saracens to Kingston Park.
Last season's golden boot returns after a fortnight on the sidelines, with England Saxons scrum-half Micky Young joining him back in the team.
Rob Vickers captains the side from hooker, with lock forward Tim Swinson also returning to the starting XV as the Falcons look to build on their last home victory against Bourgoin in European action.
They will have to do it without prop forward Jon Golding who misses out with an Achilles injury, with Kieran Brookes getting the nod at loose head.
"Everyone is aware of what a top side Saracens are, and we will have to meet that threat head on," said Head Coach Alan Tait.
"We have had to contend with injuries again in our selection, but it's the same for every side and Saracens come up here without their fly half Derick Hougaard who has been an important figure for them this season before doing his Achilles last weekend.
"They have threats all over the field, they keep possession well and suck the energy out of defences so we have to be absolute on the button in terms of our discipline and concentration."
With home advantage on his side, the Scot added: "It's a big factor for us, and we have to use it.
"Hopefully we can get our fans here in numbers and have them right behind the team. We want to do it for the whole region, the backing of our supporters means so much to us and it's a massive motivation for the club to reward them for sticking by us."
Meanwhile, Saracens return to domestic action with Kameli Ratuvou set to make his 100th appearance for the club having been named at centre.
In other changes to the starting line-up, Hayden Smith, Neil De Kock and Noah Cato all start while Kelly Brown, Andy Saull and Ernst Joubert make up the back-row with Jacques Burger rested on rotation.
Cato joins Brad Barritt and Chris Wyles in making their 50th appearance for the club on Friday.
On the bench, Ethienne Reynecke, Hugh Vyvyan, Justin Melck and Nils Mordt all return to the matchday 23.
"We're expecting a very tough and physical challenge against Newcastle Falcons on Friday night," said Director of Rugby Brendan Venter.
"The Falcons have shown this season with a victory over Wasps at Kingston Park that they are a hard working team. It's a match that we are looking forward to and we will have to be at our best to get the result we want."
Form: Sarries have won four of their last five clashes with the Falcons in all competitions, and have won twice before at Kingston Park in the Premiership - in 2003 and 2009. Newcastle Falcons only win in their last five encounters in all competitions was 22-16 at home to Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup two weeks ago. The Falcons' solo victory in Aviva Premiership Rugby since last April was 29-17 over London Wasps at Kingston Park on 10 September. Saracens have won their last four games of Aviva Premiership Rugby, but have been defeated in their two most recent matches in the Heineken Cup, against Clermont Auvergne and Leinster. Saracens have won their last five Premiership away games played at their opponents regular home grounds.
The teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Luke Eves, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 Glen Townson, 3 Tim Ryan, 2 Rob Vickers (capt), 1 Kieran Brookes.
Replacements: 16 Joe Graham, 17 Darren Fearn, 18 James Hall, 19 Filipo Levi, 20 Brent Wilson, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Andy Henderson, 23 Tom Catterick.
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 David Strettle, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Matt Parr, 18 Richard Skuse 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Michael Tagicakibau.
Date: Friday, October 22
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: JP Doyle
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3823_6458099,00.html
Last season's golden boot returns after a fortnight on the sidelines, with England Saxons scrum-half Micky Young joining him back in the team.
Rob Vickers captains the side from hooker, with lock forward Tim Swinson also returning to the starting XV as the Falcons look to build on their last home victory against Bourgoin in European action.
They will have to do it without prop forward Jon Golding who misses out with an Achilles injury, with Kieran Brookes getting the nod at loose head.
"Everyone is aware of what a top side Saracens are, and we will have to meet that threat head on," said Head Coach Alan Tait.
"We have had to contend with injuries again in our selection, but it's the same for every side and Saracens come up here without their fly half Derick Hougaard who has been an important figure for them this season before doing his Achilles last weekend.
"They have threats all over the field, they keep possession well and suck the energy out of defences so we have to be absolute on the button in terms of our discipline and concentration."
With home advantage on his side, the Scot added: "It's a big factor for us, and we have to use it.
"Hopefully we can get our fans here in numbers and have them right behind the team. We want to do it for the whole region, the backing of our supporters means so much to us and it's a massive motivation for the club to reward them for sticking by us."
Meanwhile, Saracens return to domestic action with Kameli Ratuvou set to make his 100th appearance for the club having been named at centre.
In other changes to the starting line-up, Hayden Smith, Neil De Kock and Noah Cato all start while Kelly Brown, Andy Saull and Ernst Joubert make up the back-row with Jacques Burger rested on rotation.
Cato joins Brad Barritt and Chris Wyles in making their 50th appearance for the club on Friday.
On the bench, Ethienne Reynecke, Hugh Vyvyan, Justin Melck and Nils Mordt all return to the matchday 23.
"We're expecting a very tough and physical challenge against Newcastle Falcons on Friday night," said Director of Rugby Brendan Venter.
"The Falcons have shown this season with a victory over Wasps at Kingston Park that they are a hard working team. It's a match that we are looking forward to and we will have to be at our best to get the result we want."
Form: Sarries have won four of their last five clashes with the Falcons in all competitions, and have won twice before at Kingston Park in the Premiership - in 2003 and 2009. Newcastle Falcons only win in their last five encounters in all competitions was 22-16 at home to Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup two weeks ago. The Falcons' solo victory in Aviva Premiership Rugby since last April was 29-17 over London Wasps at Kingston Park on 10 September. Saracens have won their last four games of Aviva Premiership Rugby, but have been defeated in their two most recent matches in the Heineken Cup, against Clermont Auvergne and Leinster. Saracens have won their last five Premiership away games played at their opponents regular home grounds.
The teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Luke Eves, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 Glen Townson, 3 Tim Ryan, 2 Rob Vickers (capt), 1 Kieran Brookes.
Replacements: 16 Joe Graham, 17 Darren Fearn, 18 James Hall, 19 Filipo Levi, 20 Brent Wilson, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Andy Henderson, 23 Tom Catterick.
Saracens: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 David Strettle, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Noah Cato, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Kelly Brown, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Deon Carstens.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 Matt Parr, 18 Richard Skuse 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Michael Tagicakibau.
Date: Friday, October 22
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: JP Doyle
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3823_6458099,00.html
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Is Manning injured over there.
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Turns out he isn't good as Dan Carter then eh?
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Wonder if Venter will come out and praise the just and fair refereeing now 
