Fitness tests for Falcons' brothers
Fri, 09 May 2008 12:32
The Newcastle Falcons acting Director of Rugby, Steve Bates, will wait on late fitness tests on the Tait brothers, Mathew (hip) and Alex (head), ahead of their final Guinness Premiership game of the season - as they make the trip to Worcester on Saturday.
Bates, for what is his side's third game in just seven days, has chosen to bring in a number of fresh bodies.
The team will be captained by Scotland loose forward Ross Beattie, who returns at No.8 - after starring in last Sunday's victory over Leicester Tigers.
Scrumhalf Lee Dickson and flank Ben Woods both make their final appearance in Newcastle colours - before their respective transfers.
On the bench there is a return for fit-again All Black prop Joe McDonnel,l after a recent arm injury, while England Students flank Peter Browne will be looking to make his second appearance for the club after his debut on Wednesday against London Wasps.
Speaking ahead of the
game, Bates spoke of the challenges of preparing a team after such a physical encounter in midweek.
"We've had two games in under four days, Saturday will make it three in less than seven days, and there's no denying that the boys are extremely tired," he said.
"We've cut right back on the work load this week in training, we've done a walk-through on Thursday and we travel all day Friday, but the effort from the boys who will end up playing two or even all of those three games has been absolutely heroic.
"We have picked a side for Saturday to basically say here is a chance for one or two people to stake their claim for next season. We fielded a largely young side against Wasps on Wednesday, and they were very competitive for the first hour before a couple of controversial decisions saw Wasps get themselves in front.
"We are looking at some different combinations, like Ross Beattie getting another start in the back
row, which I am keen to see again after he did a lot of very promising things against Leicester on Sunday.
"The backline is looking a little injury-ridden, so we will have to see what shape that eventually takes. We are hoping that both Mathew and Alex Tait are fit to play, but if they aren't then we will have to unfortunately ask some of the guys who have already played two games this week to make it three on the trot."
Having beaten Leicester and then lost to two second-half tries against Wasps, Bates said: "I think in these last couple of games we have shown glimpses of what we are aiming for, both in terms of the way we play but, equally importantly, how we force the opposition to play.
"We can take a certain number of pluses from that, but clearly we need to add more consistency to our play and we also still have a long way to go in terms of understanding how we are now going to approach the game. The team has all summer to work
on that, and I am optimistic of the eventual outcome.
"What we are looking for from this game is just going down there and having a real go at Worcester, trying to develop our playing style with a view to next season.
"The inclusion of Lee Dickson, Ben Woods and, if fit, Mathew Tait, gives those guys the opportunity to have a send-off in Newcastle colours, which is the least they deserve after the contribution they have all made to this club."
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Ollie Phillips, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Tim Visser, 11 John Rudd, 10 Steve Jones, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Ross Beattie (captain), 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Ben Woods, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Andy Perry, 3 David Wilson, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Joe McDonnell, 18 Tim Swinson, 19 Peter Browne, 20 Brent Wilson, 21 James Grindal, 22 Rob Miller.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue:
Sixways Stadium, Worcester
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Dean Richards
Touch judges: Roger Baileff, Andrew Pearce
TMO: Matt Peters
