Newcastle v Worcester: Teams

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates is expecting a "real contest" when his side clash with Worcester Warriors.

The Falcons go into the game on the back of an impressive 26-17 win over Bath - but Worcester trail them by just a point in the table.

And Bates knows his side will have to rise to the challenge.

"They have lots of very good players, and they will be targeting every game in the same way that we do," he said.

"It will be a real contest, we're probably good enough to win it but we know we'll have to play really well. They have a dangerous back line with some class individuals, I felt they were a bit unlucky last week against Harlequins and they're going to be pumped up for this one."

Bates has made two changes to his line-up with Alex Tait and Filipo Levi both returning to the starting XV.

Back-rower Jake Abbott and prop Callum Black have been handed their first Guinness Premiership starts of the season for Worcester.

Abbott has come through the club's academy ranks and he is handed his chance to shine at openside, with skipper Pat Sanderson moving to No.8.

Black will join hooker Aleki Lutui and Tevita Taumoepeau, who has passed a fitness test, in the front row.

Disappointed

And having lost 26-22 to Harlequins last time out, director of rugby Mike Ruddock is looking for a positive response from his players.

"I was disappointed with the performance up front last week - the players are aware of that," said Ruddock.

"Because of that I've made some changes to the forward pack with Callum and Jake rewarded for their good form with deserved starts against Newcastle.

"This is a very important game for us and we have a big focus on it," added Ruddock. "Newcastle had a great win at Bath. They will have chests puffed out and they will be walking around happy with themselves and rightly so, to get a bonus point win away at Bath is a fantastic result.

"They will fancy their chances and will look to push the ball around and play some attractive rugby.

"What we need to do is be mindful of that, be really enthusiastic in our line press in defence, pressure them at all times and hit the tackle area. We need to force the mistakes from them that we saw them do against Bath."

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

Worcester: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Ryan Powell, 8 Pat Sanderson (capt), 7 Jake Abbott, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Callum Black.
Replacements: 16 Adam Black, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Jack Gilding, 19 Will Bowley, 20 Netani Talei, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 George Crook, 23 Calum MacRae.