Saracens v Newcastle Falcons: Aviva Premiership preview
Last Updated: 28/02/15 2:16pm
Saracens have selected Charlie Hodgson at fly-half for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership meeting with Newcastle Falcons at Allianz Park.
Hodgson was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s loss at Sale Sharks but he is deemed fit enough to replace Alex Goode, who has been named in the England team to face Ireland on Sunday.
Sarries head coach Mark McCall has made five changes to his starting line-up, with Neil de Kock partnering Hodgson at half-back.
Chris Wyles shifts to the wing to accommodate Ben Ransom’s inclusion at full-back, Rhys Gill replaces Mako Vunipola at loosehead and Nick de Jager comes into the back row.
Newcastle were held to a thrilling 23-23 draw by Wasps last weekend and Dean Richards has been forced to make five changes for the trip to London.
International call-ups see Kieran Brookes and Josh Furno replaced by Juan Pablo Orlandi and Kane Thompson respectively, while a further change in the front five sees Rob Hawkins give way to Scott Lawson at hooker.
Ally Hogg picked up a hamstring injury against Wasps so captain Will Welch starts at blindside, with Andy Saul named at openside against his former club and Mark Wilson moving to No 8.
The final change comes in the backs as Gonzalo Tiesi replaces Noah Cato on the wing, with Alex Tait switching to full-back.
Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Chris Wyles, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock; 1 Rhys Gill, 2 Jamie George, 3 Petrus Du Plessis, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Alistair Hargreaves (c), 6 Nick De Jager, 7 Jacques Burger, 8 Jackson Wray.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Matt Hankin, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Tim Streather.
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Sinoti Sinoti, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Gonzalo Tiesi, 10 Tom Catterick, 9 Mike Blair; 1 Rob Vickers, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 4 Kane Thompson, 5 Dom Barrow, 6 Will Welch (c), 7 Andy Saull, 8 Mark Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Mark Irving, 19 Calum Green, 20 Chris York, 21 Ruki Tipuna, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Alex Tuilagi.
