Falcons v Wasps: Teams
Newcastle Falcons welcome back fit-again flanker Brent Wilson for Friday's EDF Energy Cup clash with London Wasps at Kingston Park.
Last Updated: 23/10/08 2:03pm
Newcastle Falcons welcome back fit-again flanker Brent Wilson for Friday's EDF Energy Cup clash with London Wasps at Kingston Park.
The Kiwi returns after breaking his hand in the season opener against Sale Sharks back in September, and joins a Newcastle side showing four changes in total from last weekend's European outing in Brive.
South African Russell Winter comes in to captain the team from number eight, while James Grindal slots in at scrum half and Ollie Phillips starts on the right wing.
Wasps field a side showing six changes from the Heineken Cup defeat to Leinster, as Tom Rees assumes the captain's armband in place of Raphael Ibanez.
The experienced trio of Simon Shaw, Eoin Reddan and Ibanez are replaced by Richard Birkett, Mark Robinson and Rob Webber respectively.
Full-back Mark van Gisbergen starts his first game since recovering from injury, and there is a new-look centre pairing of Josh Lewsey and Jeremy Staunton.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Ollie Phillips, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tom May, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 James Grindal, 8 Russell Winter (c), 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Adam Balding, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Andy Perry, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Andy Long, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Ross Beattie, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Micky Young, 21 Spencer Davey, 22 Tom Dillon.
London Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Josh Lewsey, 12 Jeremy Staunton, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Mark Robinson, 8 Joe Worsley, 7 Tom Rees (c), 6 James Haskell, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Richard Birkett, 3 Pat Barnard, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Phil Vickery, 18 John Hart, 19 Serge Betsen, 20 Joe Simpson, 21 Dan Leo, 22 Dave Walder.