Falcons v Gloucester: Teams
Tom Biggs returns to the Newcastle Falcons starting XV to host Gloucester in their rearranged Guinness Premiership showdown.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 01/04/10 11:13am
Tom Biggs returns to the Newcastle Falcons starting XV to face Gloucester showdown on Wednesday night.
Biggs replaces Charlie Amesbury, who is ruled out with a groin injury, in the No.11 jersey, with the clash marking Falcons' second game out of three in the space of just six days.
Elsewhere in the line-up, Filipo Levi switches to the second row in tandem with Mark Sorenson, while Brent Wilson moves to blindside.
Ed Williamson comes in at openside while Josh Afu starts at No.8 as director of rugby Steve Bates tries a fresh approach following Falcons' disappointing 58-15 loss to Saracens last weekend.
"We have mixed things up a bit following Sunday's disappointing result at Saracens," said Bates.
"Although we have had very little in the way of preparation time the boys are all keen to get back out there and put the record straight after letting ourselves down last weekend.
"Gloucester are in virtually the same situation time-wise having played on Saturday, and it's down to us to get on with it and put in a big home performance in what we all know is a vital match for us given how tight it is around the bottom part of the table."
Injury
Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath is without his two joint captains for the trip to Kingston Park due to injury, and is also restricted by the regulations which limit the number of minutes that England elite playing squad members can play each week.
The Cherry and Whites are also feeling the strain of a demanding schedule, with another clash lined up against Saracens on Saturday.
With Mike Tindall ruled out and Tim Molenaar still unavailable due to injury, James Simpson-Daniel switches to centre while Charlie Sharples is named on the wing.
Redpath has also included a new look second row as Dave Attwood and Alex Brown both make their comeback from injury, while Adam Eustace steps in for Gareth Delve in the back row.
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Josh Afu, 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Brent Wilson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Carl Hayman (c), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 James Hudson, 20 Tim Swinson, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Tom Catterick, 23 Rob Vickerman.
Gloucester: 15 Freddie Burns, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Adam Eustace, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Peter Buxton (c), 5 Alex Brown, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Pierre Capdevielle, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Rupert Harden, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Apo Satala, 21 Andy Williams, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Jonny May.