Newcastle v Dragons: Teams
Falcons resist moving Mathew Tait to full-back, while Dragons coach Paul Turner has made nine changes to keep his squad "fresh".
Last Updated: 01/11/07 3:30pm
England World Cup star Mathew Tait will play in centres for Newcastle Falcons - despite speculation he could be handed the No.15 jersey.
The 21-year-old, whose break against South Africa in the final almost produced a crucial try, has looked close to be the complete article playing the centres.
However, with Matt Burke being ruled out for the season, it had looked like Tait would be asked to fill in at full-back.
But director of rugby John Fletcher has resisted the urge to slot Tait in at 15, with Tom May continuing to fill in at full-back.
Fletcher told the club's official site: "That's the selection for this week - whatever happens after that we'll just have to wait and see based on form and based on what I think is the best team for the next game.
Balance
"Taity is in at 13 this week, yes he can play elsewhere but we will only look at that when we feel the time is right.
"Even in pre-season I was keen to see Tom May at fullback - obviously not in the circumstances we have at the moment with Matt Burke being injured - but I thought he did well there down at Gloucester last weekend and the balance of the team for this game I think is better served with Taity in the centres and Tom at 15."
The inclusion of Tait is one of two changes for the Falcons, with the other seeing Lee Dickson replace Hall Charlton at scrum-half.
Dragons coach Paul Turner has made nine changes as he attempts to keep his squad "fresh" for the trip to Newcastle in the EDF Energy Cup.
Having held Heineken Cup champions London Wasps to a draw in the opening fixture, Dragons face another physical encounter at the Falcons.
And with the Heineken Cup due to start and Gloucester also to face in the EDF Energy Cup, Turner knows how important it is to rotate his squad.
Physical
He said: "We have an intensive couple of weeks and we need to keep the squad fresh.
"It was a real physical performance on Saturday and conditions were difficult.
"We have a very competitive squad and some need game time. The side picked for the game against Newcastle looks a very good side and one capable of getting a result providing we are accurate in everything we do."
Four of Turner's changes come in the backs, with Paul Emerick, Gareth Maule, Aled Thomas and Andy Williams returning to the line-up.
In the forwards, Hugh Gustafson, Ben Daly, Andy Hall, Peter Sidoli and Joe Bearman all come in.
Newcastle: 15 Tom May, 14 Ollie Phillips, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Steve Jones, 11 John Rudd, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Joe McDonnell (c), 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 Jason Oakes, 19 Ed Williamson, 20 Hall Charlton, 21 Tim Visser, 22 Alex Tait.
Dragons: 15 Martyn Thomas, 14 Paul Emerick, 13 Rhodri Gomer-Davies, 12 Gareth Maule, 11 Richard Mustoe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Andrew Williams, 1 Hugh Gustafson, 2 Ben Daly, 3 Rhys Thomas, 4 Andrew Hall, 5 Peter Sidoli, 6 Joe Bearman, 7 Colin Charvis (c), 8 Michael Owen.
Replacements: 16 Kieran Crawford, 17 Adam Black, 18 Jamie Corsi, 19 Lewis Evans, 20 Richard Parks, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Wayne Evans.