Newcastle Falcons have named a strong side with a mixture of power and pace for this weekend’s Aviva Premiership fixture against Gloucester.
The team shows four changes from that which faced Bath at Kingston Park two weeks ago and will travel to Kingsholm looking for a repeat of their victory in round eight this weekend.
Only one change comes in the backs, with Alex Tait coming in on the wing as Chris Harris moves to Outside Centre in place of Adam Powell.
In the pack, Italian international Josh Furno takes the place of Calum Green in the second row, to partner Samoan international Kane Thompson while in the back row, Will Welch and Ally Hogg make welcome returns to the starting fifteen following injury enforced absences.
Their inclusion at numbers seven and eight respectively see a further positional switch as Mark Wilson moves from the openside flank to the blindside.
The Falcons’ bench contains a balance of youth and experience with 2014 Academy Player of the Season George McGuigan joining international props Eric Fry (USA) and Juan Pablo Orlandi (Argentina) as the front row replacements.
After impressing in the Falcons’ European campaign earlier this season Will Witty could make his Aviva Premiership debut this weekend, while Sean Robinson would make his third league appearance should he enter the fray.
Sonatane Takulua provides the Falcons’ replacement Scrum Half option with Adam Powell and Andy Tuilagi joining him on the bench.
Newcastle Falcons vs Gloucester Rugby
- Simon Hammersley, 14. Alex Tait, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Juan Pablo Socino, 11. Sinoti Sinoti, 10. Rory Clegg, 9. Ruki Tipuna;
- Rob Vickers, 2. Scott Lawson, 3. Kieran Brookes, 4. Josh Furno, 5. Kane Thompson, 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Will Welch (c), 8. Ally Hogg.
Replacements: 16. George McGuigan, 17. Eric Fry, 18. Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19. Will Witty, 20. Sean Robinson, 21. Sonatane Takulua, 22. Andy Tuilagi, 23. Adam Powell.