Falcons v El Salvador: Teams
Newcastle will be looking to put a poor start to the Premiership behind them on Saturday, as they welcome El Salvador to Kingston Park.
Last Updated: 10/10/08 11:18am
Newcastle will be looking to put a poor start to the Guinness Premiership behind them on Saturday, as they welcome Spanish minnows El Salvador to Kingston Park.
Despite the standard of opposition Steve Bates has left nothing to chance as he names a powerful side.
In the pack All Black props Joe McDonnell and Carl Hayman start, with Phil Dowson captaining the side from No.8.
With Jonny Wilkinson out for five months, young England Under 20 fly-half Rory Clegg gets another chance in the ten jersey.
Former rugby league man Danny Williams gets another start on the wing, having impressed in the EDF Energy Cup last weekend.
El Salvador will rely heavily on their small international contingent, of which many are Spanish Test players.
Raúl Turrión and Iván Criado provide the Test experience in the backs, while in the forwards captain Iván Criado is also a capped player.
Newcastle: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tom May, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Hall Charlton, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Ross Beattie, 5 Mark Sorensen, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements:16 Andy Long, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Micky Ward, 19 Andy Perry, 20 Russell Winter, 21 James Grindal, 22 Spencer Davey.
El Salvador: 15 Redgarht Van Eyk, 14 Raúl Turrión , 13 Meeuwis Stanley, 12 Nava Nava , 11 Luis Gascón, 10 Justin Wilson, 9 Sale Ibarra, 8 Charlie O'Connell, 7 Iván Criado (c) , 6 Fabio Galloppa, 5 Craig Lyons, 4 Sergio Souto, 3 Manuel Serrano , 2 Daniel Marrón, 1 Taz Lewis.
Replacements: 16 César Caballero, 17 Diego Zarzosa, 18 Gaston Gaston, 19 Francisco Carracedo, 20 Jorge Molina, 21 Ignacio Gutiérrez, 22 Manuel Raposa.