Newcastle v Brive: Teams

Newcastle Falcons have included fit-again flanker Adam Balding in their side for Thursday's European Challenge Cup trip to Brive.

Balding has recovered after suffering a head injury against former club Gloucester two weeks ago and comes straight back into the back-row.

Newcastle also welcome back John Rudd, with the winger replacing Danny Williams, who damaged his ankle in the 63-0 victory over Spanish champions Cetransa El Salvador.

Newcastle director of rugby, Steve Bates, said: "We have travelled a day early to give ourselves the best possible preparation time for this game.

"Adam Balding and John Rudd both returning to the side will give us added physicality, as we hope to repeat the victory we had here last season in the same competition."

Newcastle and Brive have been drawn in the same pool for an incredible four seasons in a row, with Bates stating: "What it does mean is there should be no surprises for us.

"We know we will be in for a tough game against a determined side in a vocal atmosphere, but in terms of the hotel, the training facilities and the town itself these are all things we are very familiar with from our past travels here."

The Brive line-up includes plenty of familiar faces for English fans, including former England internatioinal winger Ben Cohen, fly-half Andy Goode and hooker Steve Thompson.

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Tim Visser, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tom May, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Hall Charlton, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Adam Balding, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Andy Perry, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Andy Long, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Tim Swinson, 19 Russell Winter, 20 James Grindal, 21 Ollie Phillips, 22 Tom Dillon.

Brive: 15 A Palisson; 14 N Ligairi, 13 R Cooke, 12 F Estebanez, 11 B Cohen; 10 A Goode, 9 A Pic; 1 D Kinchagishvili, 2 S Thompson, 3 P Capdevielle, 4 C Short, 5 D Browne, 6 A Claasen, 7 S Azoulai (capt), 8 A Popham
Replacements: 16 J Bonrepaux, 17 P Idieder, 18 J van Zyl, 19 V Forgues, 20 J Pejoine, 21 L Orquera, 22 H Agulla