Team news: Falcons side to face Doncaster
The 3pm kick-off at Kingston Park Stadium is the only opportunity to see the Falcons on home soil before the start of the new Gallagher Premiership season, coming less than 24 hours after their away match against Glasgow Warriors.
Centre Luther Burrell and full-back Alex Tait add experience to a youthful back-line which includes a first senior start for former England Under-20s fly-half Will Haydon-Wood.
Adam Radwan starts on the wing having scored a sensational hat-trick on his England debut – Zach Kerr earning a first home start after making his senior debut away to Castres last season.
Jamie Blamire starts at hooker following a summer which saw him score four tries in his first two caps for England, while Samoan international Logovi’i Mulipola is partnered at prop by debutant Richard Palframan – newly arrived from Worcester.
A host of senior academy prospects are included among the potential replacements.
Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Playing two games in two days is certainly a test of your playing resources, but at the same time offers great opportunities to a lot of the guys.
“It’ll be fantastic to be back out there at Kingston Park Stadium in front of our home supporters, and it’s an exciting line-up.
“We hope to have some really tough selection decisions to make in the coming weeks with so many players having an opportunity to impress, and it’s all about making sure we hit that starting line on September 19 with plenty of momentum.”
Tickets for Saturday’s 3pm kick-off are on sale now by [**clicking here**][1]. Book before game day and save £3 per ticket.
Season ticket members who booked before Tuesday have been emailed their free ‘print at home’ ticket. Those unable to print at home can get one printed at the ticket office on the day. [**Click here**][2] for a full match-day information article outlining everything you need to know.
**Newcastle Falcons team to face Doncaster Knights (Saturday, 3pm, Kingston Park Stadium)**
15 Alex Tait, 14 Chidera Obonna, 13 Zach Kerr, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Adam Radwan, 10 Will Haydon-Wood, 9 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti; 1 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Matthew Dalton, 5 Will Montgomery, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Connor Collett, 8 Tom Marshall.
**Replacements:** 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Mark Dormer, 18 Oscar Caudle, 19 George Merrick, 20 Marcus Tiffen, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Ewan Greenlaw, 23 Louie Johnson, [blank shirts]: Matt Deehan, James Blackett, Ollie Fletcher
**Doncaster Knights:** 15 Billy McBryde, 14 Kyle Evans, 13 Fraser Strachan, 12 Connor Edwards, 11 Jack Spittle, 10 Sam Olver, 9 Alex Dolly; 1 Conrad Cade, 2 Will Holling, 3 Andy Foster, 4 Danny Drake, 5 Josh Peters, 6 John Kelly, 7 Sam Graham, 8 Guido Volpi.
**Replacements:** 16 George Roberts, 17 Will Vaughan, 18 Henry Paul, 19 Ronan McCusker, 20 Jack Davies, 21 Gus Warr, 22 Maliq Holden, 23 Harry Davey, [blank shirts], George Edgson, Thom Smith, Sam Hudson, Joe Margetts.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/Events
[2]: https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/doncaster-and-season-ticket-information
