Newcastle v Wasps: Teams

Bates: All to play for

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Newcastle may already be out the LV= Cup, however Steve Bates insists his players still have plenty to play for when Wasps visit Kingston Park.

The Falcons have named a youthful side for the clash - with Bates believing the competition gives a number of fringe players a chance to stake their claim for first team places.

"Motivation has never been an issue, even though we're already out of the competition," said Bates.

"This tournament is a great opportunity for players to get game time in that first team environment, the players enjoy it and then obviously there is the fact that we're playing in front of our home supporters, which is motivation enough in itself.

"We're going out there to win the game, we believe we have a good chance and Wasps will obviously be keen to avenge our victory down there from last month."

Fit-again centre Tane Tu'ipulotu adds plenty of experience to the starting XV, with Alex Tait, Charlie Amesbury and Hall Charlton also returning the back division.

Micky Ward, Filipo Levi, Mark Wilson, Brent Wilson and Josh Afu all come into the pack.

Disappointed

England flanker Joe Worsley has been handed the Wasps captaincy for the must-win clash.

The Londoners need a win to keep alive their qualification hopes, so director of rugby Tony Hanks has named a strong side.

Mark van Gisbergen, Mark Robinson and former rugby league international Lee Smith, who makes his first start, come into the back division, while Dan Ward-Smith, Hugo Ellis and Bob Barker have been named in the pack.

"From the beginning we have made our intentions in this competition clear and we were disappointed to miss out against Scarlets last weekend," said Hanks.

"We are aware that a win may not be enough to secure a spot in the LV=Cup semi-final, but we will focus on our own game and what we can control.

"It is hard to ignore the injury list at the club at the moment but as we call on our full squad to step up, what better chance for our younger players to pick up invaluable experience. Similarly this is a great platform to allow Lee Smith to find his feet in the union game, led by one of the most established players in international rugby in Joe Worsley."

Newcastle Falcons:15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Rob Miller, 9 Hall Charlton (c), 8 Josh Afu, 7 Brent Wilson, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Filipo Levi, 4 Peter Browne, 3 Matt Thompson, 2 Alex Walker, 1 Micky Ward.
Replacements:16 Kieran Brookes, 17 Carl Hayman, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Will Welch, 20 Alex Gray, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Tom Biggs.

London Wasps :15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Lee Smith, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Steve Kefu, 11 David Lemi, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Mark Robinson, 8 Hugo Ellis, 7 Will Matthews, 6 Joe Worsley (c), 5 Dan Ward-Smith, 4 Marty Veale, 3 Bob Baker, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Gabriel Bocca , 18 Ben Broster, 19 Peter Elder, 20 Mark Odejobi , 21 James Honeyben, 22 Eoghan Hickey, 23 Lachlan Mitchell.