Preview: Newcastle v Bourgoin
Ally Hogg captains a much-changed line-up as Newcastle welcome back a host of faces for Thursday's European opener with Bourgoin.
Ally Hogg captains a much-changed line-up as Newcastle welcome back a host of faces for Thursday's Amlin Challenge Cup clash with Bourgoin.
Alex Tait, Gcobani Bobo, Micky Young, Brent Wilson and Luke Eves return while Mark Wilson, Joe Graham, Micky Ward and Glen Townson start.
Whilst Jeremy Manning has kept his place, he has been moved to fly-half with Alex Tait filling in at full-back. After his impressive showing at centre in the development team, Bobo partners Luke Eves in the back-line. Micky Young also returns at scrum-half as Chris Pilgrim is on the bench.
Swinson, Pennycook and Tim Ryan all drop down to the bench for Townson, Wilson and Ward, whilst Wilson and Graham come in for the injured Will Welch and Rob Vickers.
James Fitzpatrick and Joel Hodgson have been rewarded for their impressive form in the development team by being given a place on the bench and could make their debuts if brought on.
The teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Luke Eves, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Jeremy Manning, 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg (capt), 7 Mark Wilson, 6 Brent Wilson, 5 Glen Townson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Micky Ward, 2 Joe Graham, 1 Grant Shiells.
Replacements: 16 Kieran Brookes, 17 Darren Fearn, 18 Tim Ryan, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Redford Pennycook, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 James Fitzpatrick, 23 Joel Hodgson.
Bourgoin: 15 Mael Moinot, 14 Brando Va'aulu, 13 Willem van Zyl, 12 Matias Viazzo, 11 Ratu Nasiganiyavi, 10 Sebastien Laloo, 9 Mickael Campeggia (capt), 8 Thomas Genevois, 7 Alex Tulou, 6 Timothy Cowley, 5 Albin Louchard, 4 Wessel Jooste, 3 Sylvain Charlet, 2 Julien Janaudy, 1 Olivier Milloud.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Merle, 17 Erwan Iapteff, 18 Vincent Pelo, 19 Camille Levast, 20 Yan Labrit, 21 Jeremy Gondrand, 22 David Janin, 23 Jean-Francois Coux.
Date: Thursday, October 7
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Carlo Damasco
Assistant referees: Stefano Pennè, Mauro Dordolo