Falcons v Bristol: Teams

Newcastle Falcons have handed a Guinness Premiership debut to 18-year-old fly-half Rob Miller as they prepare for the visit of Bristol to Kingston Park.

The Cumbrian has been released from England Under-20s' Grand Slam decider against Ireland this weekend to become the third-youngest player ever to represent the Falcons.

Miller's inclusion in the Falcons team is just one of six changes made by interim director of rugby Steve Bates, having taken over the reins this week until the end of the season.

All Black prop Joe McDonnell starts at loose head in place of Jon Golding, Andy Perry returns from injury to come back at lock and South African Russell Winter slots in at No.8 as captain Phil Dowson moves round to the blindside flank.

In the backs Tim Visser takes the place of Ollie Phillips on the right wing, while Joe Shaw comes in for Alex Tait at inside centre.

Focused

On the bench there is a return for Hall Charlton, with James Grindal unavailable as his wife is due to give birth.

Interim director of rugby, Steve Bates, said: "Everyone is aware that this week has not been an easy one for us, but after a turbulent start to the week what has been pleasing is the way the players have just got on and focused on the job in hand.

"Bristol are immediately above us in the league and the importance of this fixture is not lost on us, so I am expecting a very spirited performance and the players to execute the game plan we have discussed at length during the week."

Bristol news

Bristol Rugby No.8 Dan Ward-Smith makes his first Premiership start December as Richard Hill introduces five new faces for the trip to Newcastle.

Bristol face their second consecutive trip to the north of England following last weekend's win over Leeds Carnegie and Hill is finally able to shuffle his resources now that several players are back from long term injury.

There are two changes in the backline with David Hill missing with a neck problem that has bothered him for a few weeks now.

Sam Cox takes over at inside centre and a calf strain to David Lemi sees Tom Arscott replace him on the wing.

Up front, Scott Linklater and Jason Hobson who both made such an impact off the bench at Leeds are both named in the front row and there is a recall for skipper Matt Salter.

But Ward-Smith's name is the most significant following lengthy absences following his terrible knee injury and then a broken hand.

Newcastle parted company with Director of Rugby John Fletcher this week and Hill admitted that this had come as a surprise to him.

Critical

"It's always a bit of a shock to see one of your fellow coaches biting the dust like that," he said.

"It seems harsh as they've had so many critical players taken away from them during the Six Nations.

"I would imagine that the decision has come as a shock to the players but sometimes the players gather as a group with the captain and vow to turn things around.

"We're going up there with a strong side and it would be nice to ease away from them having jumped a couple of points above them last week. This is a good opportunity with them missing a few players."

Falcons: 15 T May, 14 T Visser, 13 T Dillon, 12 J Shaw, 11 J Rudd, 10 R Miller, 9 L Dickson, 1 J McDonnell, 2 M Thompson, 3 C Hayman, 4 A Perry, 5 M Sorenson, 6 P Dowson (capt), 7 B Woods, 8 R Winter.
Replacements: 16 R Vickers, 17 D Wilson, 18 T Swinson, 19 B Wilson, 20 H Charlton, 21 O Phillips, 22 A Tait.

Bristol: 15 L Arscott, 14 A Elliott, 13 R Higgitt, 12 S Cox, 11 T Arscott; 10 E Barnes, 9 S Perry; 1 D Crompton, 2 S Linklater, 3 J Hobson, 4 R Winters, 5 Sean Hohneck, 6 Matt Salter (capt), 7 Joe El Abd, 8 Dan Ward-Smith

Replacements: 16 M Regan, 17 A Clarke, 18 N Budgett, 19 A Blowers, 20 H Thomas, 21 J Strange, 22 G Barden.