Leeds v Newcastle: Teams
Newcastle welcome back their England quartet for Friday's Guinness Premiership trip to Leeds.
Last Updated: 21/03/08 4:41pm
Newcastle welcome back the England quartet of Jamie Noon, Jonny Wilkinson, Toby Flood and Mathew Tait for Good Friday's Guinness Premiership trip to Headingley where they take on Leeds.
All four return from Six Nations duty having helped England defeat Ireland last weekend, with both man-of-the-match Noon and replacement Tait having crossed for second-half tries.
They join a Falcons team that includes a return to action for Micky Ward at loosehead prop, while there is a first Guinness Premiership start for hooker Rob Vickers.
On the bench the fit-again forward trio of Jon Golding, Brent Wilson and Andy Buist all return from recent injuries.
Leeds changes
Sunday's hard-fought 10-10 draw with Worcester has taken its toll on Leeds Carnegie with director of rugby Stuart Lancaster forced into making seven changes to his starting line up for the visit of the Falcons.
Vili Ma'asi (bicep), Adam Balding (knee), Calum Clark (hip), Jonny Hepworth (knee) and Andy Tuilagi (shoulder) have all been ruled out from last week whilst Fosi Pala'amo has failed to recover in time from the calf strain he suffered the previous week against Bristol.
Rob Rawlinson returns at hooker whilst Kearnan Myall reverts to the second row to accommodate the return of Jon Dunbar in the back row. Rhys Oakley comes in for the injured Adam Balding.
In the back line Lee Blackett and Rob Vickerman replace the injured Hepworth and Tuilagi whilst Apo Satala returns in place of John Holtby.
James Parkes, Mark Lock and Jon Goodridge come in to the squad for a place amongst the replacements.
Lancaster believes his side must play even better than they did at Sixways if they are to come away with maximum points on Friday night.
"We will need to repeat all the positive aspects of the Worcester game and more against Newcastle," said Lancaster.
"Similar to ourselves they have their distractions off the field but also have a returning international contingent of the highest order.
"I have no doubt that there will be a reaction from their last performance and obviously for us it is a "must win game" so it is all set for a tremendous occasion."
Teams
Leeds: 15 Leigh Hinton 14 Apo Satala, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Lee Blackett, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Alberto Di Bernardo, 9 Joe Bedford; 1. Mike MacDonald, 2. Rob Rawlinson, 3 Tommy McGee, 4 Stuart Hooper (capt), 5 Kearnan Myall, 6 Jon Dunbar, 7 Hendre Fourie, 8 Rhys Oakley.
Replacements: 16 Adam Hopcroft, 17 James Parkes, 18 Erik Lund, 19 Mark Lock, 20 James Brooks, 21 John Holtby, 22 Jon Goodridge.
Newcastle: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Tom May, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Toby Flood, 11 John Rudd, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Micky Ward, 2 Rob Vickers, 3 Carl Hayman, 4 Andy Perry, 5 Mark Sorensen, 6 Phil Dowson (capt), 7 Ben Woods, 8 Russell Winter.
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Andy Buist, 19 Brent Wilson, 20 Hall Charlton, 21 Ollie Phillips, 22 Alex Tait.