Newcastle v Brive: Teams
Newcastle have made seven changes to their team for their live European Challenge Cup clash against Brive.
Last Updated: 15/11/07 12:21pm
Newcastle Falcons have made seven changes to their team for their live European Challenge Cup clash against Brive on Thursday, who will have former England hooker Steve Thompson on the bench.
The Falcons are flying high after their emphatic 71-10 opening pool victory in Spain against Spanish champions Cetransa El Salvador, but director of rugby John Fletcher has still made changes.
All Black prop Joe McDonnell returns as Newcastle captain, taking the place of Jon Golding, while Matt Thompson and David Wilson come in to replace Andy Long and Micky Ward for an all-new front row.
Geoff Parling comes in at blindside flanker with Brent Wilson moving to seven to replace Ben Woods, while South African Russell Winter returns in place of Phil Dowson.
In the backs, Tom May returns at full-back with youngster Alex Tait missing out despite a hat-trick last week, while John Rudd replaces Tim Visser on the left wing.
Jonny Wilkinson is closing in on a return to action after an ankle injury, but Thursday's game has come just too soon for the England star to pull on the Newcastle shirt again.
England team-mate Toby Flood also misses the match after taking a nasty low blow during the game against Newport, as Fletcher explained.
"Toby meanwhile has been in a lot of discomfort, as any man will tell you having been hit in the Crown Jewels!"
French side Brive have a notable name in their squad with former England hooker Steve Thompson on the bench for their trip to Kingston Park.
The World Cup winner had retired due to a serious neck injury, but after a second opinion he is now returning to action.
Ex-Saracen Ben Johnston and former Llanelli full-back Barry Davies are also included in the Brive squad.
The Teams:
Newcastle: 15 Tom May, 14 Ollie Phillips, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Jamie Noon, 11 John Rudd, 10 Steve Jones, 9 James Grindal, 1 Joe McDonnell (captain), 2 Matt Thompson, 3 David Wilson, 4 Andy Perry, 5 Mark Sorenson, 6 Geoff Parling, 7 Brent Wilson, 8 Russell Winter
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Phil Dowson, 19 Ben Woods, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Tim Visser, 22 Alex Tait
Brive: 15 B Davies, 14 F Sid, 13 R Cooke, 12 B Johnston, 11 A Palisson 10 B Dambielle, 9 G Mahe; 1 L Harbut, 2 J Bonrepaux, 3 P Capdevielle, 4 F Domingo, 5 J van Zyl, 6 R Van der Merwe, 7 S Azoulai, 8 A Manta.
Replacements:16 S Thompson, 17 S Franklin, 18 A Bordoy, 19 J Djoudi, 20 J Pejoine, 21 M Petitjean, 22 S Hufanga