Falcons v Gloucester: Teams

Toby Flood will return to the Newcastle line-up after making a try-scoring return off the bench against Connacht.

The England star has been named at inside centre for the visit of table-topping Gloucester, with the Falcons re-jigging their backline for the clash.

Flood's inclusion sees England team-mate Jamie Noon move to outside centre, Mathew Tait dropping to full-back and Tom May switched to the wing.

Falcons coaching and technical director, Steve Bates, said: "Looking specifically at the backs we have a fantastic group of players at this club right now, the downside being that only seven of them can be on the field at any one time.

"Tim Visser is extremely unlucky to miss out this week because I thought he contributed well and scored a good try last Sunday, but he is on the bench waiting to come on and add something to the play when he gets his chance.

Threaten

"We need to threaten Gloucester all around the field, and with both Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood in the starting XV it means we have a great passing and kicking game capable of stretching any team."

Gloucester have tweaked their line-up for the visit to Newcastle, with director of rugby Dean Ryan making three changes.

Gareth Cooper gets the nod at scrum-half ahead of Rory Lawson for only his second league start of the season.

In the forwards lock Marco Bortolami comes into captain the side in place of Peter Buxton while Alasdair Strokosch starts in the back row, with Akapusi Qera out injured.

Ryan explained: "It is impossible to believe we can operate with the same group of players relentlessly throughout the season because we have been through a very intense period of matches and we are not going to get the best from a guy like Pete Buxton if we simply play and play him.

"We are bringing in an international captain and outstanding player in Marco Bortolami to the second row, Gareth Cooper has looked sharp in his appearances from the bench and Strokosch gives us a work ethic and explosive power we will require.

"Newcastle away from home is one of the most demanding fixtures in the Premiership - they have an outstanding spine to their team and world class players in key areas - it is a hugely important game for both of us.

"I think both teams like to try and play rugby in the right way and that is a great endorsement to both clubs and also the Premiership."

Newcastle: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Tom May, 13 Jamie Noon (c), 12 Toby Flood, 11 John Rudd, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Lee Dickson, 1 Jon Golding, 2 Matt Thompson, 3 Carl Hayman, 4 Andy Perry, 5 Mark Sorenson, 6 Geoff Parling, 7 Ben Woods, 8 Russell Winter>
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 David Wilson, 18 Sean Tomes, 19 Brent Wilson, 20 James Grindal, 21 Tim Visser.

Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Gareth Cooper, 1 Nick Wood, 2 Olivier Azam, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Marco Bortolami (c), 5 Alex Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Luke Narraway, 8 Gareth Delve.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Patrice Collazo, 18 Will James, 19 Peter Buxton, 20 Rory Lawson, 21 Willie Walker, 22 Leon Lloyd.