By Westand
November 9 2002

Falcons, 8th in the premiership, visit the Memorial Ground this weekend to take on the home side Bristol who presently sit in the relegation spot. It is interesting that Bristol are the only side to have more points scored against than the Falcons. Bristol 237, Falcons 233.

However at present Bristol have actually scored more points than Newcastle, Bristol have scored 163 points this season against our 162.

Travel Sickness

Can the Falcons shake off the travel sickness and gain at least 4 valuable points? Progress up the premiership table is unlikely, even with a win; a consolidation of our position at the ‘top of the rest’ is the best that can be achieved.

Questions, questions, questions...

While I expect the make up of our forwards to be the same as last week there is the question of who will stand in for the injured Brotherstone. Will it be Makin or Thompson?

The back division’s line up is another area of interest, will Noon be fullback again or will Rob play Liam Botham at 15?

Earl & Epi

As we have a short term signing to ease us through the Autumn International period it will be revealing to see how well our much-acclaimed threequarters perform together. Will Earl lord it over the opposition? And what do we do with Epi - it looks as though the ball will be wet this weekend. Should Rob play him at flanker or on the wing or even leave him on the bench?

The final question

The last question is as to who will be captain on Sunday; Hugh Vyvyan would be my choice, he has shown he commitment over and over again and can be guaranteed to lead from the front.

The perfect tonic?

Bristol may languish in relegation spot but we cannot afford them any sympathy. An away win would be a perfect tonic for the squad, the club and the Falcons followers after the performance against The Exiles.

Perhaps the inclement weather that is forecast will be to our advantage. (Though some Bristol fans would argue that point.) If the weather is bad much will depend on the strength of the two packs.

Sunday’s 22

Micky Ward
Ian Peel
James Isaacson
Marius Hurter
Matt Thompson
Nick Makin
Andrew Springgay
Craig Hamilton
Hugh Vyvyan
Jon Dunbar
Richard Arnold
Phil Dowson
Epi Taione
Hall Charlton
James Grindal
Phil Godman
Earl Va'a
Tom May
Jamie Noon
Michael Stephenson
Liam Botham
Mark Wilkinson