Preview: Newcastle v Wasps

Newcastle Falcons welcome back fit-again centre Tane Tu'ipulotu at Kingston Park on Sunday, as they host Wasps in the LV= Cup.

Newcastle Falcons welcome back fit-again centre Tane Tu'ipulotu at Kingston Park on Sunday, as they host London Wasps in the final round of LV= Cup pool matches.

The hosts' cause has been buoyed by the return of centre Tu'ipulotu, who joins Alex Tait, Charlie Amesbury and Hall Charlton in being recalled to the Newcastle back line.

In the pack director of rugby Steve Bates has had to make late adjustments after injury ruled out forward pair Mark Sorenson and Adam Balding.

Alex Walker continues at hooker after his sensational hat-trick of tries last weekend at Cardiff Blues, while Micky Ward comes into the front row on the loose head side. Samoan international Filipo Levi returns to the side in the second row, with a new-look back row seeing Mark Wilson in at blindside flanker, Brent Wilson at openside and Josh Afu at number eight.

On the bench Alex Gray and Will Welch have been named pending a clean bill of health from England's U20 game against Wales on Friday, whilst skipper Carl Hayman and top points scorer Jimmy Gopperth are also among the replacements.

“Motivation has never been an issue, even though we're already out of the competition,” said Bates.

“This tournament is a great opportunity for players to get game time in that first team environment, the players enjoy it and then obviously there is the fact that we're playing in front of our home supporters, which is motivation enough in itself. We're going out there to win the game, we believe we have a good chance and Wasps will obviously be keen to avenge our victory down there from last month.

“Aside from the obvious motivational factors surrounding every single game, we also have added importance this weekend with the fact that we're linking up with the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Northern Region. We are extremely supportive of what they are doing in extremely difficult circumstances, and I am sure our supporters will join us in really getting behind them to raise some funds on Sunday for the injured Fusiliers and the families of those who have lost their lives in battle.”

With the North-East again struck by the elements this week, Bates allayed any fears over the game.

“The pitch looks okay to be honest, given the weather we've had over the recent weeks and months. There has been a lot of snow and rain around, but the frost covers are on and there's no danger in terms of the match not going ahead,” he said.

“It's not going to be bone dry, let's be honest, but we need to move away from an angle where we come out and say we can only play on a firm, dry track. Realistically we've got to be able to cope with all conditions, because the reality is that pitches in February are wet and heavy. It could be firmer and we would certainly like it to be, but we have to move forward, adapt our game to the conditions and just remove it as an excuse.”

Meanwhile, Dave Walder will lead Wasps as the Londoners look to keep their LV=Cup hopes alive.

Walder takes the captaincy reins from the injured John Hart. Rugby League convert Lee Smith will make his first start for Wasps since joining in December, named on the wing in place of Tom Varndell ruled out with a foot sprain.

Mark Van Gisbergen comes back to the starting line up, recovering from the sickness that ruled him out of last weekend's clash with Scarlets. The last change in the back division sees Mark Robinson start at scrum-half.

The front row sees a return of young gun Bob Baker, switching places with Ben Broster on the bench. Dan Ward-Smith, fresh from training with the England EPS squad, comes into the second row in place of the injured Dan Leo and Hugo Ellis wears the number eight jersey.

On the bench England U20s lock, Peter Elder, and fly-half Eoghan Hickey are named.

“From the beginning we have made our intentions in this competition clear and we were disappointed to miss out against Scarlets last weekend,” said Director of Rugby Tony Hanks.

“We are aware that a win may not be enough to secure a spot in the LV=Cup Semi Final, but we will focus on our own game and what we can control.

“It is hard to ignore the injury list at the Club at the moment but as we call on our full squad to step up, what better chance for our younger players to pick up invaluable experience. Similarly this is a great platform to allow Lee Smith to find his feet in the union game, led by one of the most established players in international rugby in Joe Worsley.

“Newcastle at home are never an easy ask and with nothing to lose we expect a highly competitive game – one which I hope will provide an entertaining afternoon of rugby and for us a worthy display which could keep qualification on the cards.”

Form:Newcastle Falcons' three game winning run in all competitions ended with their 24-45 defeat at Cardiff Blues on Sunday. The Falcons have suffered seven straight defeats in the LV= Cup since a 29-24 victory at home to Newport Gwent Dragons on 3 November 2007. London Wasps' only win in their last five encounters in all competitions was 50-16 at home to Roma in the European Challenge Cup on 14 January. Wasps 13-18 defeat at home to Scarlets on Saturday ended a four game winning run in the LV= Cup. The Falcons have already beaten Wasps in the Premiership this season: 12-6 at Adams Park on 3 January. Wasps have won on each of their last three visits to Kingston Park. The two teams have met for the last three seasons in the LV= Cup with Wasps winning 24-6 at High Wycombe in December 2007 and 26-13 at Kingston Park in October 2008. Newcastle cannot progress to the semi-finals of the LV= Cup whilst Wasps need to win and hope that Cardiff Blues and Harlequins both lose if they are to make it to the last four.

The teams:

Newcastle Falcons:15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Rob Miller, 9 Hall Charlton (c), 8 Josh Afu, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Filipo Levi, 4 Peter Browne, 3 Matt Thompson, 2 Alex Walker, 1 Micky Ward.
Replacements:16 Kieran Brookes, 17 Carl Hayman, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Will Welch, 20 Alex Gray, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Tom Biggs.

London Wasps :15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Lee Smith, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder (capt), 9 Mark Robinson, 8 Hugo Ellis, 7 Will Matthews, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Dan Ward-Smith, 4 Marty Veale, 3 Bob Baker, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Gabriel Bocca , 18 Ben Broster, 19 Peter Elder, 20 Mark Odejobi , 21 James Honeyben, 22 Eoghan Hickey, 23 Lachlan Mitchell.

Date:Sunday, February 7
Venue: Kingston Park
Kick-off:15.00 GMT
Referee: Andrew Small