Saracens v Newcastle: Teams
Saracens will look to kick-start their Premiership challenge when they entertain Newcastle on Sunday.
By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC
Last Updated: 25/03/11 4:24pm
Saracens will look to kick-start their Premiership challenge when they entertain Newcastle on Sunday.
Saracens currently lie second in the table but have been without a game for three weeks.
However, they have included England international prop Matt Stevens in their starting XV as they return to action.
Hayden Smith, Neil de Kock, James Short, David Strettle and Chris Wyles also come into the starting XV, while Scotland international Kelly Brown is named on the bench.
Newcastle will be out to put their LV= Cup heartbreak behind them when they travel to Vicarage Road.
Alan Tait has responded to the defeat to Gloucester with a number of changes to his line-up.
Tom Catterick, Rikki Sheriffe, Chris Pilgrim, Will Welch and James Hall come into the starting XV, while Alex Tait moves to the wing and Luke Eves starts in the centres.
Brent Wilson, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Kieran Brookes and Luke Fielden are among those that miss out.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Chris Wyles, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Matt Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Jared Saunders, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Adam Powell, 23 Noah Cato.
Newcastle: 15 Tom Catterick, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Luke Eves, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Rikki Sheriffe, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Pilgrim, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Tim Swinson, 5 Andrew VD Heijden, 4 James Hudson, 3 James Hall, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Mark Wilson, 20 Alex Gray, 21 Micky Young, 22 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 23 Joel Hodgson.
