Leeds v Newcastle: Teams
Lachlan MacKay returns for bottom side Leeds as they face a crucial basement battle with Newcastle on Sunday.
Last Updated: 25/02/11 2:42pm
Lachlan MacKay returns for bottom side Leeds as they face a crucial basement battle with Newcastle on Sunday.
The Falcons have made three changes as the bottom two sides in the Aviva Premiership do battle at Leeds Carnegie.
Kiwi Jeremy Manning starts at full-back for Newcastle with Alex Tait moving to the wing replacing South African flyer Gcobani Bobo.
In the front-row Kieran Brookes comes in for Scotland international Euan Murray and local boy James Fitzpatrick gets the nod at inside centre.
After impressing for the development team during a 23-5 victory over Northampton on Monday, Tom Catterick gets a place amongst the replacements.
All to play for
"It's all there to play for on Sunday and it's not the end of the world whatever happens with the result as there's still plenty of rugby left. We've just got to go down there and keep doing what we do well," said head coach Alan Tait.
"Jon Golding and Tim Swinson signing new contracts this week was great news for the club and I hope we can all settle down now and build for the future."
Meanwhile, Australian international Lachlan MacKay has been named at fly-half for Leeds Carnegie - after missing the last two Aviva Premiership games for the Yorkshiremen he makes his return against their relegation rivals.
Ceiron Thomas comes in for Leigh Hinton at full-back whilst James Craig will partner Marco Wentzel in the second row.
Phil Nilsen starts in place of Steve Thompson, with the England hooker away on international duty with Hendre Fourie. Daniel Browne moves from the second row to openside flanker.
On the bench there are welcome returns from injury for Sean Hohneck and Danny Paul.
Leeds Carnegie: 15 Ceiron Thomas, 14 Lee Blackett, 13 Henry Faafili, 12 Scott Barrow, 11 Michael Stephenson, 10 Lachlan Mackay, 9 Warren Fury, 8 Alfie Tooala, 7 Dan Browne, 6 Kearnan Myall, 5 Marco Wentzel (capt), 4 James Craig, 3 Phil Swainston, 2 Phil Nilsen, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Scott Freer, 17 Gareth Hardy, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Sean Hohneck, 20 Danny Paul, 21 Scott Mathie, 22 Adrian Jarvis, 23 Luther Burrell.
Newcastle: 15 Jeremy Manning, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Luke Eves, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Alex Tait, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Tim Swinson, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden, 4 James Hudson (capt), 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 James Hall, 19 Mark Wilson, 20 Redford Pennycook, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 23 Tom Catterick.