Northampton v Newcastle

[An Tarbh]

Northampton v Newcastle

Venue: Franklin's Gardens Date: Saturday, 28 February Kick-off 15:00

Winger Chris Ashton returns to the Northampton line-up to make his first start since November.

Skipper Bruce Reihana moves to full-back with Ben Foden set to undertake Six Nations duty with England.

Former Saint Jon Goulding comes into the Newcastle front row at the expense of David Wilson.

In the back-row, Brent Wilson has recovered from injuring his shoulder in the 20-15 win over Saracens to replace Ed Williamson on the open-side flank.

Northampton: Bruce Reihana © Paul Diggin; Jon Clarke; James Downey; Chris Ashton; Stephen Myler; Lee Dickson; Soane Tonga'uiha; Brett Sharman; Barry Stewart; Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe; Juandre Kruger; Courtney Lawes; Neil Best; Roger Wilson

Replacements: Paul Shields; Tom Smith; Christian Day; Mark Hopley; Alan Dickens; Barry Everitt; Chris Mayor.

Newcastle: Alex Tait; Danny Williams; Jamie Noon; Tane Tu'ipulotu; John Rudd; Tom May; Micky Young; Jon Golding; Rob Vickers; Carl Hayman; Tim Swinson; Geoff Parling; Phil Dowson ©; Brent Wilson; Adam Balding

Replacements: Matt Thompson; David Wilson; Mark Sorenson; Russell Winter; Hall Charlton; Rob Miller; Tim Visser

BBC Sport

 

[Sir Speedy]

19 - 3 to Newcastle currently.

 

[An Tarbh]

I know the pressure's off them since they got their win at Bristol but still wasn't expecting that.

 

[Vambo]

Go on Newcastle

 

[Vambo]

10 - 19 latest

 

[Vambo]

Newcastle win 13 - 19

 

[Hall]

Why is this happening? The one team I genuinely feel a bit of contempt for are hitting a run of form...

 

[Prestwick]

The Church of latter day (Northampton) Saints commit the cardinal sin! :lol:

HAW! Talk about what a way of ending an unbeaten run at home!

 

[Bullitt]

Newcastle were **** (except heyan who is some sort of comic-book super-monster), Saints were incompitent and unimaginitive. 3 gifthorse tries (2 30-metre breakaways) in the opening minutes were the difference in the end, Newcastle after that never once looked like getting near Saints 22, let alone scoring. Saints only decent player was Diggin as is par for course these days, meanwhile Heyman (literally) single-handedly destroyed the Northampton scrum.

Shocking match contested by 2 **** sides.