Rugby
Falcons' remaining chance of silverware
23 April 2008
Newcastle Falcons welcomes back its big guns for Friday's European Challenge Cup semi-final at Worcester Warriors (kick-off 8pm).
Centres Jamie Noon and Toby Flood both return from recent ankle injuries, while fly half Jonny Wilkinson is back following concussion and England Saxons flanker Ben Woods returns from hand trouble.
Blindside Andy Buist has shaken off a knee injury to take his place in the pack, while All Black prop Carl Hayman, club captain Phil Dowson and England fullback Mathew Tait are among the many returning to the side.
With Steve Bates' starting XV rested up and full of energy after missing last weekend's Premiership match at Sale Sharks, the acting director of rugby said: "The boys are fresh and in reasonable shape, they have trained well all week and there is a very positive focus within the group.
"This is a very important game in terms of reaching a European final, and this is a competition in which we have done well this season. We have had some good performances in this tournament, especially Brive away, and if we get to the final that would be a fantastic occasion for our supporters."
With the European Challenge Cup being the Falcons' remaining chance of silverware this season, he added: "We would have to win the tournament, not just reach the final, to say that this is a significant enough step in terms of fulfilling our potential.
"Getting to the final would definitely be positive progress, but only if we win the whole thing could we say we have had a reasonable season, given how the league campaign has gone.
"As well as the obvious aim of winning a trophy, the main goal is Heineken Cup rugby for next season and all the benefits that brings to the club and the fans.
"It gives us a great chance to finish the season on a high, and while we understand this will be a tough fixture away from home, the application and focus of the squad this week has been excellent."
Newcastle Falcons team to face Worcester Warriors:
15 Mathew Tait
14 Tom May
13 Jamie Noon
12 Toby Flood
11 John Rudd
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9 James Grindal
1 Micky Ward
2 Matt Thompson
3 Carl Hayman
4 Andy Perry
5 Mark Sorenson
6 Andy Buist
7 Ben Woods
8 Phil Dowson (captain)
Replacements:
16 Andy Long
17 Jon Golding
18 Geoff Parling
19 Russell Winter
20 Brent Wilson
21 Lee Dickson
22 Tim Visser
Not considered due to injury: Matthew Burke (knee), Joe Shaw (knee), James Hoyle (hip), Joe McDonnell (arm), Alex Tait (hamstring), Hall Charlton (abdominal).
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