Newcastle Falcons look to get back to winning ways

Newcastle Falcons will be looking to get back to winning ways at Kingston Park on Friday evening, as the take on Worcester Warriors in the Aviva Premiership.

Director of Rugby Dean Richards has made five changes to the starting XV that took on Gloucester last weekend as the team look to extend their home winning run to seven games in a row.

In the backline, Alex Tait returns to the right wing in place of Giamba Venditti in an otherwise settled selection that sees Simon Hammersley at fullback, Chris Harris and Adam Powell in the centres and Marcus Watson on the left wing.

Having shaken off the niggle that forced him to drop out against Gloucester, Andy Goode returns to the Fly Half position, while Michael Young returns as starting scrum half.

In the front row, the effective trio of Rob Vickers, Scott Lawson and Taione Vea remain as the starting loose head, hooker and tight head respectively, while Mark Wilson resumes his second row partnership with Sean Robinson.

In the back row, there is a welcome return for Nili Latu, who has recovered from the injury he sustained at the end of the match against Leicester Tigers alongside captain Will Welch and Ally Hogg.

On the bench, George McGuigan, Alex Rogers and Kensuke Hatakeyama provide front row options, while Mouritz Botha and Callum Chick, cover the second and back rows.

Chick’s inclusion sees the 19 year old in line to make his first Aviva Premiership appearance for the club, having already made his first senior starts back in January in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Sonatane Takulua swaps places with Young to take the replacement scrum half spot, while Craig Willis and Juan Pable Socino complete the match day squad.

Newcastle Falcons Squad v Worcester Warriors 4/3/2016

15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Marcus Watson 10 Andy Goode, 9 Michael Young, 1 Rob Vickers, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Taione Vea, 4 Mark Wilson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (C), 7 Nili Latu, 8 Ally Hogg

Replacements

16 George McGuigan, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Juan Pablo Socino