An exciting line up will greet Enisei STM in the European Rugby Challenge Cup at Kingston Park on Sunday as Newcastle Falcons announce a side showing six changes to the starting line up from that took to the field against Brive in round one.
In a first match against Russian opposition for the club, Alex Tait, Zach Kibirige, Rob Vickers, Jon Welsh, Calum Green and Will Welch all return adding experience into a team boasting an impressive turn of speed.
Tait takes over the fullback shirt from Craig Willis, who remains in the squad as a replacement following an assured display in France, while Kibirige makes a first start since picking up a knock in the Kings of the North tournament back in September.
The Yarm born flyer’s inclusion sees the jet heeled Marcus Watson move across from the right to left wing while the centre pairing of Chris Harris and Tom Penny continue together, after combining well and playing positive expansive rugby at the Stade Amédée-Domenech.
Looking to take on what threatens to be a physical Enisei pack, the Falcons have called a number of experienced forwards into the side with Rob Vickers and Jon Welsh propping alongside George McGuigan at Hooker.
In the second row, the pace and guile of Sean Robinson is complimented by the direct threat of Calum Green, while across the back row, Will Welch takes over the blindside flank from Richie Mayhew as Dan Temm and Mark Wilson remain at openside and number 8 respectively.
The experienced theme continues onto the replacements bench as full internationals Scott Lawson and Taione Vea lie ready to contribute alongside Alex Rogers, Will Witty, who is in line for his first action of the season after recovering from a pre season injury, Richard Mayhew, Ruki Tipuna, Adam Powell and 20 year old Willis.
With special ticket prices applied to the game allowing supporters to attend at £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s, it is a side ready to thrill a crowd that is already the biggest European Rugby Challenge Cup attendance for the club since its return to English rugby’s top flight in season 2013/14.
Newcastle Falcons squad
V Enisei STM – 22/11/2015 KO 15:00
15 Alex Tait, 14 Zach Kibirige, 13 Tom Penny, 12 Chris Harris, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Tom Catterick, 9 Michael Young, 1 Rob Vickers, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Jon Welsh, 4 Calum Green, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch, 7 Dan Temm, 8 Mark Wilson
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Taione Vea, 19 Will Witty, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Ruki Tipuna, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Adam Powell
