Preview: Newcastle v Saracens
Newcastle have made just two changes for the visit of Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens to Kingston Park on Sunday.
Newcastle have made just two changes for the visit of Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens to Kingston Park on Sunday.
Club captain Carl Hayman is named in the side after missing last Friday's draw with Harlequins, while the only other change to that team also comes in the pack as Ed Williamson returns to the back row following a bout of gastroenteritis.
As he prepares to host an unbeaten Sarries side, Director of Rugby Steve Bates said: “Their record this season speaks for itself, and we know what sort of a test we are in for this weekend.
“Saracens have a very powerful pack and an excellent kick-chase game, so there will be a massive emphasis on playing in the right areas and not allowing them to punish us by kicking penalties.
“We have an enormous amount of respect for what they have done so far this season, but also a belief in our own ability to get the job done with the quality of personnel we have within our squad.
“A nine-day turnaround and successive home games has allowed us some good preparation time, and the boys are really fired up because we know just how important getting that first win in front of our home fans will be.”
Meanwhile, league leaders Saracens travel to Newcastle on Sunday looking to build on their good start to the season. Four wins from four games has given the side their best start to a new campaign for ten years.
In team news ahead of the game, Wikus van Heerden captains the side in the absence of the injured Steve Borthwick.
Derick Hougaard starts at fly-half and after missing the early part of the season through injury. Matias Aguero returns at prop as part of what was an all-Italian front row alongside Fabio Ongaro and Carlos Nieto until the hooker was ruled out.
Tom Ryder replaces Borthwick in the second row while in the backline, Richard Haughton makes his first start of the season.
On the replacements bench, scrum-half Kevin Barrett gets his first opportunity of the season with Justin Marshall ruled out with a knock while Michael Horak also makes the matchday 23.
Speaking ahead of the game, Coach Mark McCall said his side are under no illusions as to the challenge they face at Kingston Park.
“It's a very tough place to go to and in the dressing room after Sunday's game, Hugh Vyvyan reminded the players that in his time at the club, Saracens have never won at Newcastle,” he said.
“After our start to the season, there is a good confidence in the squad but we are not getting carried away. This is a new squad and we are building from the bottom and while we are enjoying the wins, we know there is still a long way to go yet.”
Form: Each side won its respective home game when the two teams met in the Premiership last season. Saracens only victory in 15 previous visits to Kingston Park in all competitions was 25-20 in the Premiership on 14 September 2003. Newcastle Falcons have already obtained three draws from their first four matches in the Guinness Premiership – previously no side has ever drawn as many as four matches in an entire Premiership season. The Falcons are winless in their last eight games in all competitions since their 14-10 victory over Leicester at Kingston Park on 27 March. Saracens, the current leaders of the Guinness Premiership, are the only side left with a 100% winning record. Sarries have tallied four successive wins, but have not won five consecutive Premiership encounters since season 1999/2000.
The teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Charlie Amesbury, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Ed Williamson, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Gcobani Bobo.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Justin Melck, 6 Wikus van Heerden(c), 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Matias Aguero.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Richard Skuse, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Michael Owen, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Glen Jackson, 23 Michael Horak.
Date: Sunday, October 4
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: Sean Davey