Gloucester v Newcastle: Teams

Bobo: Starting at 13

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Newcastle Falcons have made five changes for Saturday's Guinness Premiership trip to Gloucester.

Former Springbok Gcobani Bobo starts at outside centre in place of Rob Vickerman (ankle), with the only other change to the backs being at scrum-half as Micky Young is replaced by Hall Charlton.

Young left the field on a stretcher during last Friday's match against Northampton, but having having been cleared of serious injury the England Saxons star has been included on the bench.

In the pack all three changes come in the back row, as Samoan international Filipo Levi, Tongan flanker Josh Afu and fit-again openside Brent Wilson all return to the starting XV.

Tim Swinson pushes up to the second row with Mark Sorenson dropping out, as the Falcons look to record their third successive Guinness Premiership away win.

Injuries

"Last Friday's result against Northampton was obviously disappointing given the run we had been on in the league, but Saturday down at Gloucester represents a great chance to get straight back on the horse," said director of rugby, Steve Bates.

"We know that Gloucester, especially at Kingsholm, will provide an excellent test, but we will be looking to continue our strong away form in this competition to build on our recent wins at Bath and London Irish."

Speaking on his selection for this weekend, the former England scrum-half added: "We have a few injuries to contend with, as is the case for most sides at this time of year.

"We are fortunate to have quality replacements available in all positions though, and we welcome back Brent Wilson from an elbow injury and Filipo Levi from international duty as well as being able to call up the likes of Josh Afu, Gcobani Bobo and Hall Charlton."

Gloucester boss Bryan Redpath will welcome back Alex Brown and Luke Narraway from injury on Saturday afternoon.

Brown dislocated a thumb in the opening round of the Heineken Cup against the Dragons on October 9 while Narraway has been sidelined since pre-season following surgery on a bulging disc in his back.

Real threat

Brown comes into the second-row in place of Will James who unfortunately damaged medial knee ligaments last weekend at the Twickenham Stoop whilst the England back-rower is named amongst the replacements.

Also in the starting line-up compared to the side that started at Harlequins last weekend are Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Lesley Vainikolo, Nicky Robinson, Rory Lawson, Scott Lawson, Alasdair Strokosch and Akapusi Qera.

Robinson is back at fly-half in place of Freddie Burns who is having a minor operation on his calf to address cramping issues and will be ruled out for a couple of weeks. Therefore, Carlos Spencer is on the bench as is Alasdair Dickinson who is back after injury.

And Redpath acknowledges that the travelling Falcons will pose a real threat having won twice on their travels already so far this season.

"We have to be switched on, it's not going to be easy. Newcastle have actually played pretty well over the past few weeks in away games," he said.

"They've beaten Bath and they've beaten Irish so they're not a bad side. We can't underestimate them and we won't. We have to be really focussed."

Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 James Simpson-Daniel, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Gareth Delve (capt), 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Paul Doran-Jones, 18 Alasdair Dickinson, 19 Adam Eustace, 20 Luke Narraway, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Carlos Spencer, 23 Tom Voyce.

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Charlie Amesbury, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Hall Charlton, 8 Filipo Levi, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Josh Afu, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Carl Hayman (c), 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Will Welch, 21 Micky Young, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Alex Tait.