L Irish v Newcastle: Teams

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates insists his side are heading in the right direction, despite lying 11th in the Guinness Premiership table.

The Falcons head to title-chasing London Irish three points off the bottom, having won just twice this season.

However despite their struggles on the field, Bates is confident his side can build on their 16-16 draw against Worcester last time out.

"Naturally we're disappointed with where we are in the league in 11th place, but we feel as if we are progressing as a team and will continue to be positive about ourselves in the new year," he said.

"If you constantly talk about 'survival' then all you do is increase the pressure on the players.

"We still have a considerable way to go as a team, and whilst are admittedly far too inconsistent, over the past few weeks we have started to see some of things we have worked on starting to bear fruit.

"The boys are fighting hard, the team spirit is outstanding and everyone is completely focused on getting up that table."

Bates welcomes back All Black prop Carl Hayman to the Newcastle starting XV to face the Exiles, however Joe McDonnell, Andy Long, Ross Beattie, Jonny Wilkinson, Hall Charlton, Andy Buist and Russell Winter are all still unavailable.

Changes

Micky Young is also struggling with a tight hamstring so James Grindal starts at scrum-half, while prop Jon Golding has a slight neck problem so Micky Ward takes over at loosehead.

Geoff Parling will start in the second row in place of Tim Swinson in the only other change to the side that drew with the Warriors, however Danny Williams and Ed Williamson return on the bench.

London Irish have made just two changes to their starting line-up, with Tom Homer and Alex Corbisiero set to start.

Homer comes in on the wing in place of the injured Sailosi Tagicakibau, while Corbisiero takes over from Clarke Dermody at loosehead prop

"We've won six of our seven home matches so far this season and want to add to that record [on Saturday] afternoon," said Irish coach Toby Booth.

"The Falcons are a quality team and in Steve Bates they have one of the country's best coaches as I know from working with him with the England Saxons.

"Steve has talented and experienced players in his squad and we're expecting to see Jamie Noon, the England centre, Carl Hayman, the great All Black prop, and Adam Balding, the England Saxons back-row player, making an impact tomorrow."

London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Elvis Seviali'i, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Tom Homer, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Chris Hala'Ufia, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (c), 4 James Hudson, 3 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 2 David Paice, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Dan Murphy, 17 James Buckland, 18 Kieran Roche, 19 Richard Thorpe, 20 Charlie Gower, 21 Alfredo Lalanne, 22 Mike Catt.

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom May, 14 Tim Visser, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 James Grindal, 1 Micky Ward, 2 Matt Thompson, 3 Carl Hayman, 4 Geoff Parling, 5 Mark Sorenson, 6 Phil Dowson (captain), 7 Brent Wilson, 8 Adam Balding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 David Wilson, 18 Tim Swinson, 19 Ed Williamson, 20 Micky Young, 21 Steve Jones, 22 Danny Williams