Preview: Newcastle v Leeds Carnegie

Newcastle will welcome back a host of stars for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash at Kingston Park against Leeds Carnegie.

Newcastle welcome back a host of stars for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash at Kingston Park against Leeds Carnegie.

Club captain Carl Hayman is among those returning in Steve Bates' new-look front row, as fit-again prop Jon Golding and hooker Rob Vickers both resume their places in the starting XV.

In the second row there is a recall for Tim Swinson, while Brent Wilson returns from injury on the openside flank.

The back line sees just two changes to the team which claimed a bonus point away at Montauban last weekend, with fit-again Rob Vickerman returning against his former club in the centres while Gcobani Bobo starts on the right wing.

Meanwhile, Leeds have made four changes to the side that beat Bucuresti Oaks in the Amlin Challenge Cup

Two of the changes come in the pack with hooker Rob Rawlinson coming in for Phil Nilsen and Juan Gomez replacing Tommy McGee at tight head prop.

Andy Gomarsall returns at scrum half in place of Scott Mathie, who is amongst the replacement, whilst young winger Scott Armstong comes in for Richard Welding, who is ruled out with an ankle injury.

19-year-old fly half Joe Ford is back in the squad on the bench as is winger Henry Fa'afili, who has served a three week suspension for getting sent off whilst on international duty with Samoa.

The teams:

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Gcobani Bobo, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Josh Afu, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Will Welch, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Tom Biggs,

Leeds:15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Scott Armstrong, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Henry Paul, 11 Lee Blackett, 10 Ceiron Thomas 9 Andy Gomarsall, 8 Alfie To'oala, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (c), 4 Erik Lund, 3 Juan Gomez, 2 Rob Rawlinson, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacments: 16 Vili Ma'asi, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Tommy McGee, 19 Rhys Oakley, 20 Calum Clark, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Henry Fa'afili.

Date: Sunday, December 27
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Andrew Small
Assistant referees: Martin Buck, Paul Emerson
Television match official: Trevor Parlett
Assessor: Brian Campsall