Team news: Two changes for Gloucester trip

Friday 02 March 2018 Written by: Adam


Ally Hogg replaces Mark Wilson on the blindside flank after the England international limped out of last weekend’s 28-10 victory at Harlequins, a result which propelled the Falcons into the Premiership top four going into this weekend’s round of matches.

The only other switch comes in the second row where Sean Robinson replaces Will Witty, Newcastle going for a repeat of the 18-13 victory they enjoyed on their last trip to Kingsholm in September 2016.

The in-form Falcons have lost just one of their last seven games in league action and defeated Gloucester as recently as four weeks ago, when they enjoyed a bonus-point 31-19 home victory in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

Director of rugby Dean Richards said: “We have enjoyed some good results recently but we still feel there is more to come from the team.

“In the first half at Harlequins last weekend we were not quite clinical enough in finishing off the many chances we created, although it was pleasing to see that rectified to a large extent during the second half.

“We know Saturday at Gloucester will be a tough challenge against a side who showed up very strongly when we played them at Kingston Park back in November, and their record at home this season just goes to show we will have to be at our best to repeat last season’s result down there.”

**Newcastle Falcons team to face Gloucester Rugby (Saturday, 3pm, Kingsholm)**

15 Simon Hammersley

14 Vereniki Goneva

13 Chris Harris

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Sinoti Sinoti

10 Toby Flood

9 Michael Young

1 Rob Vickers

2 Kyle Cooper

3 Jon Welsh

4 Calum Green

5 Sean Robinson

6 Ally Hogg

7 Will Welch (captain)

8 Nili Latu

**Replacements**

16 Scott Lawson

17 Sam Lockwood

18 Trevor Davison

19 Will Witty

20 Callum Chick

21 Sonatane Takulua

22 Joel Hodgson

23 Maxime Mermoz

**Referee:** Craig Maxwell-Keys