Bath v Newcastle: Teams

Grewcock: Retiring once Bath's season is done and dusted

Newcastle's Aviva Premiership survival and Bath's play-off hopes are both on the line as the two teams met at The Rec on Saturday.

England Under-20 captain Alex Gray will make his first Premiership start for Newcastle, and what a debut it will be as the Falcons look to stave off the spectre of relegation.

Leeds are currently bottom of the table and although just a point behind an inferior points difference means they will need to score two points more than Newcastle to stay up, so while the Falcons know only a bonus-point win guarantees them safety - just the win should do.

A win still seems a long shot though, with Newcastle having lost their last seven and with just one win in their last 13 games against Bath - who are desperately chasing a play-off spot.

The hosts, who are bang in form having won their last four, need a win and results elsewhere to go their way to make it into the play-offs, so the Falcons are assured of a red-hot reception.

Legend

The home fans will also be in good voice as they bid a fond farewell to retiring Bath, England and British and Irish Lions legend Danny Grewcock, who plays at The Rec for the final time.

Newcastle make four changes from last week's defeat including the introduction of 20-year-old Gray from the start.

Cumbrian talent Mark Wilson partners Gray on the flanks, while Jeremy Manning and James Fitzpatrick return to a reshaped backline.

Fitzpatrick comes in for Rob Vickerman and starts at inside centre, with Kiwi Jeremy Manning getting the nod at full-back, replacing Alex Tait who moves to the wing.

"We have been focussed all week and I think the boys have been excellent," said Falcons boss Alan Tait. "We have got ourselves one point clear of Leeds but funny things can happen in sport and they could go down and get a result at Northampton.

"The boys have got to keep their minds on the job and with almost a full squad training this week, I am just hoping that we can now carry that through to Saturday."

Bath: 15 Sam Vesty, 14 Tom Biggs, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Matt Banahan, 11 Nick Abendanon, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens (capt), 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Ben Skirving, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Mark Lilley, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Ben Williams, 23 Jacques Boussuge.

Newcastle: 15 Jeremy Manning, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Tane Tuiipulotu, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Alex Tait, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Alex Gray, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Andrew van der Heijden, 4 James Hudson (capt), 3 Euan Murray, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jonny Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Will Welch, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Gcobani Bobo, 23 Luke Eves.