Newcastle v Worcester: Teams
Newcastle welcome back skipper James Hudson for Friday's bottom-of-the-table clash with Worcester at Kingston Park.
Last Updated: 03/11/11 6:03pm
Newcastle welcome back skipper James Hudson for Friday's bottom-of-the-table clash with Worcester at Kingston Park.
Lock Hudson has now served a four-week ban after being found guilty of tackling a player off the ground during the Falcons' Aviva Premiership clash at London Irish last month.
He is one of five changes to the side by head coach Alan Tait, including a return for top try-scorer Greg Goosen at full-back.
Jeremy Manning is the man to make way for Goosen, while Alex Tait returns to the wing and Jordi Pasqualin gets the nod at scrum-half.
Up front, Kiwi Richard Mayhew is drafted back into the side to bolster a strong forward line which also includes Scotland international Euan Murray.
"I am really excited about getting back out there," said Hudson.
"It has certainly been a long four weeks for me and it has been very frustrating to have to watch the boys from the sideline especially when I've been really fit and well."
The Falcons currently prop up the rest in the league but have won their last two outings on home soil, recording back-to-back victories over London Wasps and Cardiff Blues.
Lutui starts
Worcester, who sit one place and five points above their next opponents, have Tongan Aleki Lutui and Joe Carlisle starting at hooker and fly-half respectively.
They are the only two changes made by head coach Richard Hill to the line-up that started the late defeat to Wasps last time out. Ed Shervington is recalled to the bench, after missing the league game through illness.
"This is a big game and we know what to expect, Newcastle will be firing and we have got to match that," Hill told the club's website.
"It is a difficult place to go and win. Newcastle always play better at home and with the importance of this game we know what we will face.
"They have a very good driving line-out and powerful scrum with Euan Murray and they drive most of their lineouts. They are effective at it.
"Jimmy Gopperth keeps the scoreboard ticking over. He is a tricky customer and runs the game terrifically."
The match will see veteran lock Craig Gillies make his 250th appearance for the club - he is already the all-time appearance holder for Worcester.
Newcastle: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Rikki Sheriffe, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Jordi Pasqualin, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Richard Mayhew, 5 Andrew van der Heijden, 4 James Hudson (c), 3 Euan Murray, 2 Joe Graham, 1 Grant Shiells.
Replacements: 16 Michael Mayhew, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 James Hall, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Redford Pennycook, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Jeremy Manning, 23 Luke Eves.
Worcester: 15 Errie Claassens, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Dale Rasmussen (c), 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Joe Carlisle, 9 Shaun Perry8 Chris Jones, 7 Jake Abbott, 6 Neil Best, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 James Percival, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan
Replacements: 16 George Porter, 17 Ed Shervington, 18 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 19 Adam Balding, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Ollie Frost, 22 Andy Goode, 23 Chris Pennell.