Newcastle v Sale: Teams

Newcastle will continue their fight for Aviva Premiership survival when they tackle Sale on Friday.

The Falcons are currently eight points adrift at the bottom of the table, with just four games remaining.

However director of rugby Gary Gold is hoping home advantage will work in his side's favour.

"This is obviously a very important game for the club and we need to pitch up at home as Sale will be a tough proposition," he said.

"We have had some good times at home since I arrived and we need to build on that momentum - morale is very good at the moment."

Gold has included hooker Rob Vickers and winger Tom Bedford in his line-up for the clash.

Reputations

Sale have also made two changes to their starting XV following their heavy loss to Saracens last time out.

Johnny Leota and Richie Vernon are promoted from the bench, with Luther Burrell and Mark Easter making way.

"It's a huge game for us. Falcons may be fighting for their lives but we have got to go there and fight for our reputations," said chief executive Steve Diamond.

"It's a key game for us in terms of trying to get into the Heineken Cup and, first and foremost, we've got to get some credibility back into our defence.

"Friday will be a big challenge for us and maybe on the outside people will have Newcastle down as favourites, so we have to respond in kind."

Newcastle: 15 Jeremy Manning, 14 Corne Uys, 13 Jamie Helleur, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Tom Bedford, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (capt), 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Taiasina Tu'ifua, 5 James Goode, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jonny Golding.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 James Hall, 19 James Hudson, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Mark Wilson, 22 Will Chudley, 23 Greg Goosen.

Sale Sharks: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou (capt), 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Andy Powell, 7 David Seymour, 6 Richie Vernon, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Kearnan Myall, 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Marc Jones, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Vadim Cobilas, 19 Tom Holmes, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Cillian Willis, 22 Luther Burrell, 23 Will Addison.