23 September 2005
Issued on behalf of Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons have made two changes to their side for Sunday's Guinness Premiership clash against Bath at Kingston Park (kick-off 2.30pm).
On the wing Anthony Elliott returns in place of Tom May after recovering from a knock to the shoulder picked up in the defeat to Bristol two weeks ago.
The only change in the pack sees openside flanker Cory Harris come in to the side for Ben Woods after a haematoma in the calf kept him out of the last two matches.
Otherwise the side is unchanged from that which beat Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens16-9 last Saturday.
On the bench Matt Thompson returns after rib trouble, while lock Stuart Grimes drops out after himself taking a knock to the ribs last weekend as a blood bin replacement.
Injury absentees are Phil Dowson (neck), Jonny Wilkinson (appendix), Ian Peel (neck), Andy Buist (knee), Ollie Phillips (leg) and Joe Shaw (ankle).
Looking ahead to playing a team still winless from their first three matches, director of rugby Rob Andrew insisted that Sunday's opponents will still provide a stern test.
"They're actually a very good team," he said. "They have a lot of internationals, and there are just a few small bits missing which do not take much putting right, so there's nothing fundamentally wrong with them as a side.
"It's not a case of saying they're useless because they've lost three games, and I think it will be our hardest game so far because psychologically they're going to be fired up for it big time.
"It's how we deal with their big experienced pack that will decide the result."
With Bath winning a tight and often brutal match 9-5 last season at Kingston Park, Andrew stated: "It will be a fiery, physical and attritional game, so we need as much mental toughness as we can muster out on the field.
"Bath play through their forwards, and when you play that way sometimes you get close games that go your way, and then those that don't. If they'd kicked their points against Bristol and Northampton they would have won those two, and they ran Leicester close last weekend, so I'm sure John Connolly will be saying that structurally there's not a lot wrong with them."
Having rotated winger Tom May out of the side after playing every game last season, Andrew explained his selection, saying: "Tom misses out this week because Anthony Elliott and Mathew Tait are the form players in that position at this particular moment in time, although the fact that Tom isn't even on the bench is more a reflection of the five-two split in favour of the forwards than anything else.
"If we are only having two backs on the bench then we need a specialist scrum half and another guy who can play a number of positions, which is why Toby Flood is in there to cover fly half, fullback and centre.
"Anthony has started the season on fire for us on the wing, and after missing the Saints game with injury has regained his place, while Mathew looked sharp in the 'A' game at Sale last week and then played well at Northampton.
"Tom would probably admit that he hasn't been at his very best this season, but he's an excellent player and it will come.
"The good thing is that we now have serious competition for places right throughout the side, and if players aren't performing to the highest level I have a queue outside my door on a Monday morning from other people in the squad saying 'why aren't I in the team?' which is where we need to be.
"We have that all over the side with people as good as Stuart Grimes not getting a start last week because Geoff Parling is playing outstanding rugby, and at openside now that Cory Harris is fit he and Ben Woods are both playing well and battling for the No.7 shirt."
On the tussle for the openside berth after Woods' powerful comeback last weekend, Andrew added: "We've said for three years that Ben was a very good player, which is why we kept him on a contract even when his career could have realistically been finished by the horrific leg break he had 18 months ago.
"He played very well last weekend, but equally Cory was outstanding in pre-season and at Sale Sharks in the first Premiership game, so we finally have some positive selection decisions to make.
"To not concede a single try away from home, with the dangerous backline that Northampton have, was sensational, and we have to build on it this weekend."
Tickets are still available for the match by calling 0871 226 60 60, logging on to the official club website or call at Kingston Park during office hours.
Newcastle Falcons team to face Bath:
15 Matthew Burke
14 Anthony Elliott
13 Jamie Noon
12 Mark Mayerhofler
11 Mathew Tait
10 Dave Walder
9 Hall Charlton
1 Micky Ward
2 Andy Long
3 Robbie Morris
4 Andy Perry
5 Geoff Parling
6 Owen Finegan
7 Cory Harris
8 Colin Charvis (captain)
Replacements:
David Wilson
Matt Thompson
Tino Paoletti
Mike McCarthy
Ben Woods
James Grindal
Toby Flood
Head Coach John Connolly has made two changes to the Bath Rugby starting XV for Sunday's GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP match against Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday (2.30pm).
With Frikkie Welsh not recovering from a rib injury in time to be considered for the trip, promising Wales under 19 vice captain Tom Cheeseman makes his first start of the season at outside centre, whilst Andy Higgins moves out to the wing. Cheeseman, who impressed at the end of last season, is now fully rehabilitated following shoulder surgery over the summer and comes into the game with two starts in the Guinness A league under his belt.
The second change to the starting line-up sees Gareth Delve make way for James Scaysbrook in the back row. "I thought that Gareth played extremely well against Leicester last weekend on what was a narrower pitch," explained Connolly. "However, James is an out and out openside and he will slot back into the side and have a big role to play against a Newcastle side that like to play an expansive game."
Bath are yet to win in the new Guinness Premiership season, but Connolly says that "We have trained as well as we have done since I have been here," he said. "The guys have been in extremely determined mood, but they are also relaxed, which is important. There are nineteen games to go in the Guinness Premiership and a lot can happen in that time."
Full back Matt Perry added, "We know that if we cut out the errors, we will be able to keep the ball for longer, pressurize sides and create scoring opportunities. We have been in winning positions in all three of our opening matches and not capitalised. We are a determined squad, we are certainly not lacking confidence and we have been preparing for this trip to Newcastle as we would any other game."
Newcastle, who recorded their first win of the season against Northampton Saints last weekend, are hard to beat at Kingston Park and Connolly knows that his side will have to build on their performance against Leicester if Bath are to come away with a much-needed win.
"Newcastle are an extremely dangerous side and they like to play an open, attacking style of rugby. Players like Matt Burke, Dave Walder, Jamie Noon and Matthew Tait are extremely dangerous, whilst they have a much better pack this season - I think that Owen Finnegan was a great signing for them, whilst Colin Charvis is playing very well."
Bath Rugby side to face Newcastle Falcons
Guinness Premiership
Kingston Park
Sunday 25th September 2005
15, Matt Perry
14, David Bory
13, Tom Cheeseman
12, Olly Barkley
11, Andy Higgins
10, Andy Dunne
9, Martyn Wood
1, David Barnes
2, Lee Mears
3, Matt Stevens
4, Steve Borthwick
5, Daniel Grewcock
6, Andy Beattie
7, James Scaysbrook
8, Isaac Feaunati
REPLACEMENTS
16, Pieter Dixon
17, Duncan Bell
18, Gareth Delve
19, James Hudson
20, Nick Walshe
21, Salesi Finau
22, Ryan Davis |
