By Leipziger
August 31 2017
The Falcons have named a functional-looking team for tomorrow night’s opening Premiership game of the season against Worcester at KP.
Simon Hammersley starts his first game since sustaining an injury at Wasps ten months ago, while Joel Hodgson and Tane Takulua continue their flair half-back partnership, but the absence of Sinoti Sinoti, Vereniki Goneva and DTH van der Merwe sees Alex Tait and Belisario Agulla start on the wings. The backline looks short on trickery but there is some size in the three-quarters.
Maxime Mermoz is absent from the backs too, with Josh Matavesi the only new signing in the starting lineup. Juan Pablo Socino could take advantage of tired Warriors legs in the second half.
Up front, grunt is the key in a pack full of big men, Will Witty and Callum Chick joining more established players around them. Nili Latu will look to provide the breaks from the bench, and Sami Mavinga and Trevor Davison are two new front-rowers named among the replacements.
Falcons v Worcester:
15 Simon Hammersley
14 Alex Tait
13 Chris Harris
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Belisario Agulla
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Sonatane Takulua
1 Rob Vickers
2 Kyle Cooper
3 Jon Welsh
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Callum Chick
Replacements
16 Scott Lawson
17 Sami Mavinga
18 Trevor Davison
19 Tevita Cavubati
20 Nili Latu
21 Sam Stuart
22 Craig Willis
23 Juan Pablo Socino
Fresh from a best league finish for more than a decade, optimism is high that the Falcons could kick on in the Premiership in 2017/18 and maybe even challenge for a Champions Cup place. Tomorrow night won’t be an easy game, but it is one we should be looking to win well to set out a big intent for the coming year.
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