Lyon v Newcastle: Teams
Injury-hit Newcastle are forced to name six front rowers on the bench for Saturday's Amlin Challenge Cup trip to Lyon.
Last Updated: 20/01/12 2:49pm
Injury-hit Newcastle are forced to name six front rowers on the bench for Saturday's Amlin Challenge Cup trip to Lyon.
The Falcons are just two points behind leaders Toulon in Pool 2 but with the French giants likely to run up a cricket score against Padova, this is set to be Newcastle's final game in Europe this season.
Jimmy Gopperth captains the side from full-back in place of Tom Catterick (hamstring) so Joel Hodgson starts at No 10.
Jeremy Manning, who captained the team in last week's win over Padova, is out with a medial collateral ligament strain so James Fitzpatrick comes into midfield.
Up front Taiasina Tu'ifua (ankle) is ruled out so Ally Hogg comes into the engine room with Michael Mayhew getting the nod at hooker ahead of Joe Graham who drops to the bench.
New Falcons coach Gary Gold has left team affairs in the hands of Paul Moriarty this weekend.
"I only landed on Tuesday afternoon, we have had one training session since then and it is all in Paul's hands for Saturday," said the South African.
"He did a great job against Padova, the confidence is high and from my end I am just going over to observe."
Lyon Olympique: Lespinas, Ratuvou, Thomas, Raffault, Fatafehi, Sadourny, du Bruyn, Kamga, Testa, Guillamon, Njewel, Dorier, Nzi, Gambetta, Bontinck
Replacements: Miro, Roux, Toleafoa, Marchois, Tranier, Januarie, Tomamichel, Loursac
Newcastle: Gopperth, Pasqualin, Eves, Fitzpatrick, Shortland, Hodgson, Pilgrim, Wells, Mayhew, Hall, Hogg, Swinson, Mayhew, Pennycook, Wilson
Replacements: Graham, Fearn, Murray, Vickers, Welch, McGuigan, Shiells, Chudley