Falcons vs Bath: Match Preview
This Saturday Newcastle Falcons welcome Bath Rugby to Kingston Park Stadium in their first Aviva Premiership match of 2016.
With the Falcons currently at twelfth in the league table and Bath just three places ahead this is sure to be a thrilling encounter as both teams look to kick-start their league campaign for the New Year.
Despite a string of encouraging and positive performances in both competitions and convincing victories at home to both Enisei-STM and Connacht in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, the Falcons head into round seven of the domestic competition yet to collect a victory.
However an impressive 15 all draw away to Sale before Christmas and a promising first half which saw them drawing 10-10 with Leicester Tigers at half time during last weekend’s Welford Road fixture has given fans much reason to hope heading into the next part of the Aviva Premiership season.
The Falcons have made just one change to last weekend’s team; Juan Socino stepping in at Inside Centre in place of countrman Belisario Agulla, who will be hoping to make an appearance from the bench tomorrow in order to come up against bother Horacio, who starts on the wing for Bath.
Another pair of brothers also hoping to face off against one another will be the Watsons, with the in-form Marcus starting on the left wing for the Falcons while brother Anthony travels to Newcastle as a replacement.
The Falcons’ pack from last weekend remains completely unchanged though having dominated Leicester Tigers’ for much of the Boxing Day encounter.
Last year’s Aviva Premiership finalists Bath Rugby meanwhile have also had a challenging start to the season. The South West team beat Worcester Warriors 21-14 at their Recreation Ground home last Sunday but are yet to collect back to back victories in the competition.
Despite their league position Bath’s away record is positive, Mike Ford’s side having won four of their last six Aviva Premiership away games. Their team sees three changes from the one that faced Worcester last weekend; Nick Auterac returning at Loosehead, Niko Matawalu starting at Scrum Half and Matt Banahan coming in on the wing.
The last match at Kingston Park Stadium between the two sides saw Bath emerge 19-29 victors, despite a fighting performance from the Falcons which included a Sinoti Sinoti try which went on to be voted the club’s score of the season.
Tickets for Saturday’s game against Bath are still available to buy [online][1], in person from the Kingston Park Stadium Box Office or by calling the Falcons’ 24 hour Ticket Hotline on 0871 226 6060, starting from £15 for adults and £7.50 for juniors.
[1]: http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/Pages/Tickets/info
