On the back of a winning start to the season against Georgia last Friday, Newcastle Falcons will field a new look side for Sunday’s Kings of the North opening fixture against Sale Sharks.
Fresh from his summer exploits with England, Mark Wilson Captains the side and is one of six players to move from the bench to the Falcons’ starting line-up for this weekend’s game.
New signing Ben Harris will make his first start for the club in the front row alongside fellow Prop Alex Rogers and Hooker George McGuigan while Full Back Brett Connon and trialist Back Rowers Dave Fairbrother and Joe Nayacavou also make their first appearances in the Falcons’ starting XV.
Elsewhere in the team Craig Willis retains his place in the Falcons’ starting team after a solid display at fullback against Georgia, an injury to Tom Catterick forcing Willis to make the positional switch from full back to fly half.
The Falcons’ retain their centre pairing of Chris Harris and Adam Powell while Alex Tait is this week partnered on the wing by trialist Callum McKenzie.
In the pack Calum Green continues at Lock, this week partnered by Sean Robinson, while Scotland international and Falcons Line Out Coach Scott MacLeod moves to the bench.
On the Falcons’ bench Hooker Rob Hawkins is in line for his first appearance of 2015/16, joining last week’s propping combination of Rob Vickers and Scott Wilson. Prop Andrew Foster, completing the Front Row options on the bench.
Scott MacLeod, Daniel Temm and Richard Mayhew completing the forward replacements.
Reinforcements behind the scrum come in the form of Harry Basset and Bevon Armitage.
Speaking to Falcons TV earlier this week, Head Coach John Wells said of the squad: “There are a lot of guys who have been training hard and very well during pre-season and this is their opportunity to show what they’ve got to offer.
“There are trialists amongst that squad who need to be given their opportunity to show what they can do and I’d like to think that they’re all fighting for an opportunity to play in the first team, or in some cases fighting for a potential contract.”
Newcastle Falcons vs Sale Sharks:
- Brett Connon, 14. Alex Tait, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Adam Powell, 11. Callum McKenzie, 10. Craig Willis, 9. Ruki Tipuna;
- Ben Harris, 2. George McGuigan, 3. Alex Rogers, 4. Calum Green, 5. Sean Robinson, 6. Dave Fairbrother, 7. Joe Nayacavou, 8. Mark Wilson (capt).
Replacements (numbers TBC): Rob Hawkins, Rob Vickers, 1Andrew Foster, Scott Wilson, Scott MacLeod, Daniel Temm, Richard Mayhew, Harry Bassett, Bevon Armitage, Dan Taylor.