Bath v Newcastle: Teams
Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their side for the trip to Bath on Saturday.
Last Updated: 23/10/09 1:17pm
Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their side, as they prepare for Saturday's Guinness Premiership trip to Bath.
Two of the four come in the front row, as fit-again prop Jon Golding replaces Laurence Ovens on the loose head side and Rob Vickers takes over from Matt Thompson at hooker.
In the back row Brent Wilson replaces Tongan international Josh Afu, while the only change to the backline sees Rob Vickerman return from a dislocated finger at outside centre in place of Gcobani Bobo.
Director of rugby Steve Bates hands a Guinness Premiership debut to Will Welch, after the England U20 flanker's starring role in last Sunday's 45-3 demolition of French side Albi.
Welch scored one of Newcastle's seven tries on the day.
"Both of our European games over the past fortnight have been useful for different reasons," said Bates.
"Although I might not have admitted it at the time, on reflection getting away from Padova with a 29-27 win in the middle of a rainstorm was actually really important for us. The Albi game was in completely different circumstances, and there were a number of really positive signs to emerge from it.
"The guys looked very comfortable, we moved the ball around well, were much more precise and kept possession for longer. All seven tries were really good team scores involving a number of different players in each move, and it's something that we can certainly build from.
Confident
"A number of players have really taken their chances, and it's given us a lot of selection posers right throughout the team. Guys like Will Welch and Charlie Amesbury have seized the opportunity and laid a real marker down, and it's nice to have that sort of competition in those and a number of other positions.
"The European break has allowed us to look at the players in some slightly different combinations, and it has really reinvigorated the squad. The task now is to transfer that over to the Guinness Premiership stage, which we know will not be easy, but we're playing with a lot of confidence now and a real belief in where this team can aspire to.
"I don't think the pitch conditions will be a major factor on Saturday, and whilst it may well be a bit heavier than normal it will be a million times better than when I used to go there to play in the old days. The forecast is for a wet day, which doesn't suit either side especially, and it looks like being a case of who responds best to the challenge.
"Looking at the two sides I expect it to be a close game, and a lot could well depend on some refereeing interpretations as well as which side kicks its goals on the day."
Meanwhile in the Bath camp, Joe Maddock missed out having sustained an ankle injury against Stade Francais, 22-year-old Jack Cuthbert is taking on the number 14 jersey.
Head coach Steve Meehan thinks that Cuthbert has earned the place, having put in strong performances all season at training.
"The form that he is in, the training that he has done this season and the way he has applied himself has brought confidence to the way that he plays and to the squad and coaches as a whole," he said.
Having lost by a mere two points last Sunday in the Heineken Cup, Meehan is confident that the display in the first half will stand his side in good stead now that attention is turned back to the Guinness Premiership.
"We played some of the best rugby we have played since last season in the first 40 against Stade," admitted Meehan.
"We made some changes last week and in the first half the guys coped with them very well.
"If we concentrate on developing that 40 minutes of great rugby into 80 minutes then we can put pressure on the opposition. We are happy with where the players are at this week and we just have to tighten up one or two areas for tomorrow."
Bath:15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Jack Cuthbert, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Michael Claassens (c), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Pieter Dixon, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 David Barnes, 18 David Wilson, 19 Peter Short, 20 Chris Cracknell, 21 Scott Bemand, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Michael Stephenson.
Newcastle: 15 Charlie Amesbury, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Will Welch, 6 Brent Wilson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (c), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Laurence Ovens, 18 Micky Ward, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Josh Afu, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Gcobani Bobo.