Newcastle v Petrarca: Teams
Newcastle Falcons welcome back captain Carl Hayman for Friday's Amlin Challenge Cup match with Petrarca Padova at Kingston Park.
Last Updated: 22/01/10 9:53pm
Newcastle Falcons welcome back captain Carl Hayman for Friday's Amlin Challenge Cup match with Petrarca Padova at Kingston Park.
The Falcons know that a victory would secure their safe passage through to the quarter-finals of the competition for the fifth successive season, whilst a four-try bonus point win would guarantee home advantage in the last eight and a potential date with one of the Heineken Cup giants.
Making five changes from the team which won 16-14 at French side Albi last weekend, director of rugby Steve Bates is without Laurence Ovens and Tane Tu'ipulotu, both of whom picked up injuries at Stade Municipal.
Tu'ipulotu's place at inside centre is taken by Rob Miller, who deputised well there from the bench in the recent away victories at London Wasps and Albi.
Fit-again Rob Vickerman partners Miller in the midfield following his recent foot injury, with the only other change to the backs seeing Charlie Amesbury restored on the left wing after missing the Albi game with lower rib trouble
In the pack the only two changes come at prop, with skipper Hayman in for Matt Thompson at tight head and Micky Ward taking the place of the injured Ovens on the loose head side.
Speaking ahead of the game, Bates said: "We were made to work hard to secure the late victory over in Albi, but we now have our destiny in our own hands in terms of progressing through to the quarter-finals and securing home advantage."
"We saw in Padova back in October what a capable side they are, and we had to fight for every single minute to come away with a 29-27 victory.
"They are a very robust forward unit, with an exceptional kicker at fly-half in the form of Ludovic Mercier.
"There is no danger of us underestimating their threat after the scare we endured in the away leg three months ago, the boys have prepared well this week and we're carrying a bit of confidence at the moment after a couple of decent results away at London Wasps and Albi."
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Rob Miller, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Josh Afu, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (c), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Micky Ward.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Matt Thompson, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Adam Balding, 20 Ed Williamson, 21 Peter Browne, 22 Chris Pilgrim, 23 Gcobani Bobo.
Padova: 15 W Spragg, 14 F Faggiotto, 13 R Bertetti, 12 AN Other 11 N Borgato, 10 L Mercier [capt], 9 N Leonardi, 8 C Caporello, 7 N Gatto, 6 D Chistolini, 5 M Filippini, 4 A Cavalieri, 3 N Bezzati, 2 P Derbyshire, 1 G Padrò.
Replacements: 16 G Marchetto, 17 M Gastaldi, 18 E Targa, 19 Z Ansell, 20 A Chillon, 21 A Dal Corso, 22 S Ambrosio, 23 M Sclosa