Saints v Falcons: Teams
Newcastle welcome back club captain Carl Hayman for the tough Guinness Premiership trip to Northampton.
Last Updated: 12/02/10 1:46pm
Newcastle welcome back club captain Carl Hayman for the Guinness Premiership trip to Northampton on Saturday.
The New Zealand international returns to the Falcons pack as the visitors bid for a repeat of their 19-13 league victory at Franklin's Gardens last season.
However Saints go into the fixture off the back of clinching a place in the semi-finals of the LV= Cup courtesy of a 23-11 win over Leicester.
In a further boost for the hosts, flanker Phil Dowson returns from England Saxons duty to captain the side.
Momentum
"Newcastle's away form is excellent this season," said Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
"They have won at places like Wasps, London Irish and Bath, and they know how to win here as well. Last season they hit us with three quick tries and then held us out for the rest of the game.
"However over the past two weeks we have beaten strong Sale and Leicester sides in the LV= Cup, and I want this momentum to continue back into the league.
"The next few Guinness Premiership matches are crucial for us if we are to consolidate our place in the top four and we have to make playing at home count for us."
Newcastle counterpart Steve Bates also has his skipper available again in Hayman, with fellow prop Jon Golding has overcome a rib injury.
Danny Williams comes in on the right wing in a back-line that sees Gcobani Bobo moves inside to the centres in place of Rob Vickerman. Jimmy Gopperth starts at number 10 after being rested from Cup duty.
Hooker Rob Vickers and scrum-half Micky Young are back on board after playing for England Saxons, while Tim Swinson and James Hudson both return from injury in the second row.
Newcastle are unbeaten in league action this year and have won three of their last four Premiership away games.
"We're really excited about Saturday's trip to Northampton, and about being back in the Guinness Premiership again," Bates said.
"On the injury front we are at just about full strength, barring a few minor niggles, and everyone seems to be in good spirits.
"Training has been very lively during the week, there is a buzz about the place and we're going down to Northampton expecting a cracking game."
Toughest places
On facing Northampton, Bates added: "Northampton is one of the very toughest places to go in the country, but our guys are keen to measure themselves against teams of that quality.
"The Saints are playing some good rugby at the moment, but having watched their last few games I don't think they've necessarily shown anything that we can't cope with if we play as well as we can do.
"I'm expecting it to be a really close and hard-fought game, but at the same time we do have a lot of respect for them and for what they have done so far this season.
"We won there last year but we're in even better shape now, so there's no reason why we shouldn't go down there and repeat the trick."
Northampton: 15 Bruce Reihana, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Neil Best, 6 Phil Dowson (capt), 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Brett Sharman, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Darren Morris, 19 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 20 Mark Easter, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Chris Mayor.
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Josh Afu, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (capt), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Alex Walker, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Peter Browne, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Rob Vickerman.