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Newcastle makes five changes for Friday night’s key visit of fellow Premiership strugglers Worcester to Kingston Park: 19:45 kick-off
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Warriors make one change for the clash of 10th v 11th
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Dean Ryan’s side are after a first Premiership away victory since winning 17-12 at Kingston Park in March 2014
Newcastle Falcons will be hoping to continue their winning form at home when they face Worcester Warriors in the Premiership at Kingston Park this Friday.
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. Having shaken off the niggle that forced him to drop out against Gloucester, Andy Goode returns to the fly-half position, while Michael Young also returns to start at scrum-half.
In the front row, the effective front row remains the same, 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.
Meanwhile, for Worcester bring back the experienced back-row Phil Dowson is the only change to the starting XV which pushed Northampton last weekend at Franklin’s Gardens.
KEY STATS
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Worcester have failed to win in any of the ten games they have played on the road this season
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Falcons’ last eight home fixtures in Premiership have all been won by the home side on the day
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hat home form has coincided with the signing of Andy Goode – who missed the loss against Gloucester last week
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The most important stat ahead of the match could be their last meeting – Worcester beat Newcastle 28-20 back in Round 4
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle: Andy Goode
Worcester: Chris Pennell
Newcastle: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Marcus Watson 10 Andy Goode, 9 Michael Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Will Welch (c), 5 Sean Robinson, 4 Mark Wilson, 3 Taione Vea, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Rob Vickers
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.
Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Tom Heathcote, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Phil Dowson, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Jaba Bregvadze, 1 Val Rapava Ruskin
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Na’ama Leleimalefaga, 18 James Johnston, 19 Dan Sanderson, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Luke Baldwin, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Andy Symons
Date: Friday, March 4
Venue: Kingston Park
Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referees: Ashley Rowden & Robin Goodliffe.
TMO: Sean Davey.