STRONG SQUAD NAMED FOR CUMBRIA CLASH
No fewer than 12 of the starting 15 have each played first team rugby for the Falcons, with the likes of Kiwi winger Ryan Shortland, Super League convert Lee Smith and England Saxons prop Kieran Brookes getting the nod for the one off clash.
Former Leeds Rhino Smith starts at full-back, while burgeoning talents Sean Brown and Tom Penny occupy wing and centre respectively. Penny partners James Fitzpatrick at the heart of the backline with Chris Pilgrim and Rory Clegg forming the half-back combination.
In the front-row Brookes gets some much needed game time and packs down with loose-head James Hallam and hooker Matt Thompson. After making his senior debut at home to Saracens at the weekend, Ian Nagle starts at second-row alongside Sean Tomes, while Harry Spencer, Harry Bate and former England Under-18 Ollie Hodgson are in the back-row.
Academy manager Mark Laycock said: “It’s been a while since our match at Durham University and the lads are itching to put in a performance.
“We are delighted that Cumbria have agreed to this fixture and it gives us a chance to give certain players some game time which is vital at this stage of the season.
“It also gives us the opportunity to look at players ahead of next season.”
**Newcastle Falcons:** 15 Lee Smith, 14 Sean Brown, 13 Tom Penny, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Chris Pilgrim, 1 James Hallam, 2 Matt Thompson, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Ian Nagle, 5 Sean Tomes, 6 Harry Spencer, 7 Harry Bate, 8 Ollie Hodgson
**Replacements:** 16 David Nelson, 17 Jake Ellwood, 18 Mark Forster, 19 George Hedgley, 20 Ben Morris, 21 Andy Davies, 22 Danny Barnes, 23 Joe Young
