Falcons make two changes for Amlin Cup trip to Toulon
Falcons boss Alan Tait has made two changes for Saturday’s Amlin Challenge Cup trip to Toulon
Corne Uys returns at outside centre with James Fitzpatrick moving to the wing in place of Ryan Shortland as the north easterners aim to maintain their 100 per cent record in the competition.
Jeremy Manning gets the nod at fly-half while the forward pack is unchanged following a successful stint against Toulon’s heavyweights last week.
“Toulon will want to throw the ball around and they have absolutely nothing to lose,” said Tait who will have his sights set on progressing to the knockout stages.
“They know that if they want to win the group they need the bonus point against us, and they will chuck it about because four tries will be required,” he added.
Tait’s outfit claimed a famous victory over the French aristocrats last week, a result which secured top spot in the pool going into this weekend’s blockbuster.
Winning by the slenderest of margins in gale force conditions last week, Tait predicts a more open affair in the sunnier climbs of the south of France.
Tait said: “I think an open game is good for us. If it is another arm-wrestle then we run the risk of guys being battered ahead of the league matches that follow.
“Less contact areas will play into our hands as well, and we are a team that wants to play a bit of footy when the time is right with good ball in decent areas.
“French crowds are pretty hostile, but they can turn on their team just as they can get behind them.”
Tickets are still available for the Falcons next home game against Northampton on New Year’s Eve (kick-off 2pm) by calling 0871 226 6060 or click here to read more.
Newcastle:15 Greg Goosen, 14 Luke Eves, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 James Fitzpatrick, 10 Jeremy Manning, 9 Jordi Pasqualin, 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Joe Graham, 3 Euan Murray, 4 James Hudson, 5 Andrew van der Heijden, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch, 8 Richard Mayhew
Replacements:16 Rob Vickers, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Dan Frazier, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ally Hogg, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Tom Catterick, 23 Luke Fielden





Newcastle Falcons will unleash some of their big guns for Saturday’s LV= Cup showdown with Cardiff Blues at Kingston Park (kick-off 6.30pm).


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