Bristol v Newcastle: Teams
Newcastle are boosted by the return of Jamie Noon for Friday night's basement battle against bottom club Bristol.
Last Updated: 13/02/09 4:04pm
Newcastle welcome back Jamie Noon, David Wilson and Phil Dowson for the crucial basement battle at Bristol on Friday night.
The Falcons make the long trip south to the Memorial Ground with a seven-point cushion over their opponents, who are currently bottom of the Guinness Premiership.
However, a home win would see that gap closed considerably and set up a scuffle to see who will avoid relegation from the top flight.
Despite the perilous position of the two teams, Falcons director of rugby Steve Bates insists the contest will not decide who suffers the drop.
Situation
"I can understand why people outside of the club are billing it as that, but the reality is that it is the 13th match of a 22-game season," he told the club's website.
"The players all know that this is a situation where the bottom team is playing the second-bottom team, and they don't need any reminding of that from me.
"My view is that a heightened state of anxiety is not necessarily conducive to playing a measured tactical game, so we're just keeping it positive and reinforcing that this is just one match in a 22-game season.
"Clearly it is an important one, but we've prepared as normal and the boys seem to be in good spirits."
Noon's return is an added boost after the centre was left out of England's squad to face Wales in the RBS Six Nations clash in Cardiff.
On the player's availability, Bates added: I'm disappointed for Jamie not to have been involved with England this weekend, but with my club hat on it's obviously a boost to have him back with us and in our team."
Tom May starts at number 10 for Newcastle while John Rudd comes in on the left wing with Alex Tait shifting to full-back.
Up front, England Saxons duo Wilson and Dowson will start in the front row alongside Carl Hayman, who is back in England after returning to New Zealand to get married.
In contrast to his opposite number, Bristol boss Richard Hill believes that his side can ill-afford to suffer a seventh straight loss in league action.
Pivotal
"It's absolutely pivotal," he told the club's website. "I'm certainly not going to play down the importance of the game to the players.
"If Newcastle beat us, they'll potentially open up an 11 point gap which would be difficult to pull back at this stage of the season.
"On the positive side, if we beat Newcastle, then the momentum will definitely be with us. They'll be looking over their shoulders and we'll be looking to press on."
Hill is able to call upon experienced hooker Mark Regan, who has not featured since January 3 due to a calf injury.
Luke Arscott and Alfie To'oala are both fit to start despite coming off during the recent European Challenge Cup win over Montpellier.
Robert Sidoli suffered a depressed fracture of his skull in the match so Nathan Budgett comes in to take his place in the second row.
Having made a rapid recovery from a torn bicep, Joe El Abd is given a seat on the bench alongside Luke Eves, who has been released from England Under 20 duty to play for his club.
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Lee Robinson, 13 Nathan Brew, 12 Neil Brew, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ed Barnes, 9 Shaun Perry; 1 Mark Irish, 2 Mark Regan, 3 Darren Crompton, 4 Roy Winters, 5 Nathan Budgett, 6 Matt Salter (capt), 7 Alfie To'oala, 8 Dan Ward-Smith
Replacements: David Blaney, Wayne Thompson, Dave Attwood, Joe El Abd, Graeme Beveridge, Adrian Jarvis, Luke Eves
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 John Rudd, 10 Tom May, 9 Micky Young, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Phil Dowson (capt), 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 David Wilson
Replacements:16 Matt Thompson, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Andy Perry, 19 Brent Wilson, 20 Hall Charlton, 21 Rory Clegg, 22 Spencer Davey