Falcons v Quins: Teams
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates has announced six changes to the side that lost to reigning champions Leicester.
Last Updated: 25/09/09 10:19pm
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates has announced six changes to the side that went down narrowly at reigning champions Leicester last week.
Bates is able to welcome back half-back pairing Micky Young and Jimmy Gopperth, while winger Danny Williams is also back from injury.
All three missed the trip to Welford Road as the Falcons lost their unbeaten record, but Young (elbow), Gopperth (ankle) and Williams (hamstring) have been passed fit to face Quins.
Ed Williamson misses out due to gastroenteritis with Peter Browne coming straight into the starting line-up, while lock Tim Swinson and hooker Matt Thompson move up from the bench with Mark Sorenson and Rob Vickers making way.
Very optimistic
"It's always a good time for a win, but even after three games without one I'm still very optimistic on the back of what we have seen so far this season," Bates said after watching his side draw their opening two games before the Leicester defeat.
"We haven't played to our best consistently, but I think in all three games we have seen signs of what we are capable of.
"We're perhaps missing a little bit of team cohesion here and there, but I'm not sure that you can really short cut that process. You just have to play together over a number of weeks, feel more comfortable with each other and start to anticipate what other players are going to do.
"That subtlety of teamwork is not quite there yet, and it's a case of understanding that nine times out of ten the player next to you is going to do this as opposed to that.
"It can be the difference between getting through a small gap and not getting through, but the guys are working hard in training and the signs are positive."
Harlequins make just two personnel changes to the side that started last week's game against Saracens, which they lost 22-9.
Head coach John Kingston, whose side has picked up just a single point in the opening three games, welcomes back England scrum-half Danny Care with Steve So'oialo dropping out of the squad.
Gonzalo Camacho comes in on the wing with George Lowe moving into the centres, where he will partner Tosh Masson as Jordan Turner-Hall misses out after picking up a serious injury last week.
The centre is expected to be out for between three and four months after being told he requires surgery on his left shoulder, handing Quins a huge blow so early in the season.
The pack remains the same but there are places on the bench for summer signing James Johnston and Shane O'Connor.
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young; 1 Jon Golding, 2 Matt Thompson, 3 Carl Hayman (captain), 4 James Hudson, 5 Tim Swinson, 6 Peter Browne, 7 Brent Wilson, 8 Filipo Levi.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Laurence Ovens, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Adam Balding, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Rob Miller, 23 Gcobani Bobo
Harlequins: 15 Ugo Monye, 14 David Strettle, 13 George Lowe, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Gonzalo Camacho, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care; 1 Ceri Jones, 2 Gary Botha, 3 Mark Lambert, 4 Lewis Stevenson, 5 Jim Evans, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Will Skinner, 8 Nick Easter.
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 Tani Fuga, 18 James Johnston, 19 Shane O'Connor, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Gareth Williams, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Josh Drauniniu