Falcons v Saracens: Teams

Saracens have made three changes to their starting line-up for Friday's Guinness Premiership clash against Newcastle Falcons.

Kameli Ratuvou, Brad Barritt and Adam Powell all come into the starting line-up for the game at Kingston Park.

Ratuvou replaces the rested Noah Cato while Barritt comes in for Andy Farrell, who misses the game with an ankle knock. Powell comes in for knee injury victim Kevin Sorrell.

Wikus van Heerden captains the visitors and there is also a place on the bench for US Eagles second row Hayden Smith after impressing in training and second team matches.

"We've made a few changes this week for what is a very important game," explained director of rugby Eddie Jones.

"We think Noah Cato could do with a rest especially as he is only second to Glen Jackson in terms of the number of minutes played this season, while injuries to Kevin Sorrell and Andy Farrell means that Brad Barritt and Adam Powell have a great opportunity to show what they can do.

Sorenson rehab

"Newcastle will be on a high following their result against Bristol last week.

I spoke to the Bristol director of rugby Richard Hill earlier this week and he said he thought that the Newcastle performance was the best he had seen by a team at the Memorial Ground all season, so we know they are in good form.

"We were disappointed with our result against Northampton Saints last week especially as we didn't make the most of our opportunities.

"We had three or four chances to score and didn't take them and that is something that needs to improve."

Meanwhile Newcastle have named an unchanged side from the on which defeated Bristol 35-3 last Friday, with England Saxons captain Phil Dowson once again skippering the Northeasterners.

Lock Mark Sorenson misses out as he continues rehab on a hamstring injury, while Joe McDonnell (neck), Ross Beattie (ankle), Andy Buist (knee), Jonny Wilkinson (knee) and Tom Dillon (ribs) are the club's only other injury concerns.

Speaking ahead of the game, Bates said: "We will be looking to use the Bristol game as a building block to really attack the back half of this season," said Bates.

Tom May has again been selected at fly-half, and Bates is confident he can cope despite his inexperience.

"Tom might not be too experienced in the number ten shirt, but he gives us a solid experienced head in what is a key position, with the added bonus of having a great prospect like Rory Clegg lying in wait on the bench," said Bates.

Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 John Rudd, 10 Tom May, 9 Micky Young, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Phil Dowson (c), 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 David Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Andy Perry, 19 Brent Wilson, 20 Hall Charlton, 21 Rory Clegg, 22 Spencer Davey.

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Justin Marshall, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Wikus Van Heerden, 5 Hugh Vyvyan, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Nick Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Cobus Visagie, 18 Hayden Smith, 19 Don Barrell, 20 Mickey Wilson, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Rodd Penney.