21st August 2005
Issued on behalf of Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons have made ten changes to their starting XV as they prepare to face Japanese Championship runners-up Toyota Verblitz in the Expo Cup on Tuesday in Toyota City, near Nagoya, (kick-off 7.30pm local time,11.30am UK time).

Colin Charvis again captains the side which demolished reigning champions NEC Green Rockets 73-6 in Tokyo on Saturday, while there are starting debuts for summer signings James Hoyle and Robbie Morris on the right wing and at tight head prop respectively.

England Under-21 fly half Toby Flood starts for Dave Walder, who put in a man-of-the-match performance against NEC kicking ten from ten conversions, while Mathew Tait replaces Anthony Elliott on the left wing.

James Grindal comes in for Hall Charlton at scrum half, while there is a totally new front row with Morris, Matt Thompson and Micky Ward starting instead of Tino Paoletti, Andy Long and Ian Peel.

Luke gross takes Geoff Parling's place at lock, with Mike McCarthy and Ed Williamson starting in the back row for Phil Dowson and Cory Harris respectively.

Williamson is among the players returning from injury after a long-term shoulder problem which kept him out for much of last season.

On the bench Joe Shaw is back after the persistent ankle problem which blighted him throughout the last campaign, while England Under-21 scrum half Lee Dickson is again named as a replacement after making a big impact in Tokyo during the final 15 minutes.

Sunday saw the Falcons squad transfer from their Tokyo base to the city of Nagoya, taking a ride on the famous bullet train before being guests of honour at the Aichi Expo, which is one of the major global exhibitions and attracts up to 100,000 visitors per day.

Director of rugby, Rob Andrew, captain Charvis and fullback Matthew Burke staged a joint press conference at the Expo with the Toyota coach and captain, before the Falcons trained at the state-of-the-art Toyota sporting complex, which boasts numerous indoor and outdoor pitches as well as an Olympic-size pool.

Going in to Tuesday's match, Andrew said: "We were enormously happy with the performance against NEC in the last match, and although we have made a number of changes to the starting XV I believe that the quality is still there.

"Speaking to the NEC players after our game in Tokyo, they said we can expect another quick match, but we have our own goals and we want another big showing from the forwards like we had in the first match.

"The stadium we are playing in is absolutely superb, and I just can't emphasise how beneficial this tour has been, both from a training and match point of view, but also in cultivating the sort of team spirit which will serve us well throughout the coming season.

"Apart from the game itself which went very well, you could see it developing just from the way the whole squad stood up and sang the 'Blaydon Races' to the NEC team at the post-match reception, and for the new boys who didn't know the words there will be some serious revision taking place!"

Fullback Burke, asked at Sunday's press conference if the weather would affect his side's game plan, said: "It's really humid here but it's pouring with rain, but it won't change the way we approach the match.

"We've all been really impressed with Japan as a country and by the facilities, and we can't wait for the next game to come round."

Captain Charvis said of the torrential rain which forced thousands to seek cover at the Aichi Expo: "I'm a Welshman, and we have plenty of the wet stuff there, so if anything the wet conditions could work in our favour if the weather stays the same.

"As a group we were delighted with the way we played in the win over NEC who, despite the scoreline, are actually a useful side."

Newcastle Falcons team to play Toyota Verblitz:

15 Matthew Burke
14 James Hoyle
13 Jamie Noon
12 Mark Mayerhofler
11 Mathew Tait
10 Toby Flood
9 James Grindal
1 Micky Ward
2 Matt Thompson
3 Robbie Morris
4 Luke Gross
5 Andy Perry
6 Mike McCarthy
7 Ed Williamson
8 Colin Charvis (captain)

Replacements:
16 David Wilson
17 Andy Long
18 Stuart Grimes
19 Mark Wilkinson
20 Joe Shaw
21 Phil Dowson
22 Lee Dickson