By KevT
October 3 2002

NEC Harlequins take on Newcastle Falcons (Kick Off 3.00PM) at the Stoop Memorial Ground on Saturday in what is a crucial match for both clubs. So far this season Quins have won just one out of five matches and Newcastle have won two.

Quins make three changes to the team that narrowly lost to Sale (sorry Sharks) last Friday. Alex Codling returns from a hamstring strain to replace Jim Evans and Will Greenwood takes the place of Nick Greenstock. Nick Duncombe returns to full fitness and takes the place of Scott Bemand. Keith Wood picked up a neck injury on the Irish trip to Siberia and he is out for a month. Tani Fuga continues at Hooker. Paul Burke is still suffering from the hamstring strain that will keep him out until November and Dan Luger is still recovering from his long term cruciate ligament injury.

Four out of five of Quins games have been against top teams but it is the next four games that could prove crucial to their season. League Matches against Newcastle, Bristol, Bath and Saracens are matches Quins could and should win. If they want to escape the relegation struggle then they must get at least three wins from these four matches. The league is tighter this season and last Sunday's results showed how any team can beat any other team. Good performances won't do in the next month. Quins will need points. Quins Head Coach Mark Evans told me “We played quite well against Sale [sic] but were disappointed to lose.”

I asked Mark about the performance of the new signings and the younger players. “Bill Satala arrived later than we hoped but has settled in quite well. Nathan Williams has performed brilliantly for us and Laurent Gomez has added strength to the scrum. Jim Evans and Karl Rudzki look as if they are going to be good players and Luke Sheriff has done well. We also brought up Nick Duncombe and Chris Bell last year.”

Turning to Newcastle Mark stated, “Jonny Wilkinson is their threat. He is a World Class Player in a pivotal position.”

In last year’s corresponding fixture Quins beat Newcastle 33 – 19 and produced one of their best performances of the season. Tries from Steve White-Cooper, Chris Bell and Luke Sherriff secured the win for Quins whilst the boot of Johnny Wilkinson kept Newcastle in touch throughout the game.

Newcastle will probably make one change to the team that beat Leeds 27 – 20 last week with Mike Stephenson replacing Joe Shaw. Unavailable for selection due to injury are: - Dave Walder (tibia), Dave Richardson (cruciate ligament), Joe Shaw (ankle) and Epi Taione (knee).

Speaking exclusively to ComeAllWithin, Falcons coach Steve Bates said “We showed a lot more last week and used the ball more intelligently. We created a lot of chances which we didn’t take but we also took our tries well. We’ve played a lot of the top sides early on and we’ve done pretty well.”

“Quins have got a strong experienced front row and a lively back row. We’re looking forward to the match.”

Newcastle have had the tag of being a promising team for some seasons now and the question is are they able to deliver? Their back line includes players such as Liam Botham, Tom May, Jamie Noon, Dave Walder and Mark Stephenson who have not quite fulfilled the potential that they showed a couple of seasons ago. Newcastle’s pack appears to lack muscle and a key determinate in the outcome of the game will be whether Quins will be able to gain a clear advantage in the forwards.

The Quins back row of Tiatia, Diprose and Sanderson have been excellent this season and they will no doubt have their orders to keep Wilkinson quiet (watch the yellow cards Ace). Newcastle will miss the excellent Taione who adds graft and muscle to their back row. The return of Codling will help Quins secure their own line out ball but it is his threat to the Opponent’s throw that Quins have missed during his absence. The Quins forwards must be careful not to give away penalties for Jonny Wilkinson to kick.

Codling magnificent in the lineout (picture: kwin)

In the backs the return of Nick Duncombe and the excellent Will Greenwood should give Quins a cutting edge. Quins will have to watch the Falcons running from broken play where players like Jamie Noon and Tom May can be cause problems. Jonny’s brother, Mark Wilkinson made his debut for Newcastle last week but may find it tougher this week against the centre pairing of Greenwood and Satala.

Quins will have to be disciplined as Wilkinson’s boot can win games for Newcastle. They must almost secure possession to starve the quick Newcastle backs. This will be a close match. I think the return of Codling, Duncombe and Greenwood give Quins the edge and if Quins can avoid any penalties they can win by more than a converted score.

NEC Harlequins: 15 Nathan Williams 14 Matt Moore 13 Will Greenwood 12 Bill Satala 11 Ben Gollings 10 David Slemen 9 Nick Duncombe 1 Jason Leonard 2 Tani Fuga 3 Laurent Gomez 4 Bill Davison 5 Alex Codling 6 Ace Tiatia 7 Pat Sanderson 8 Tony Diprose

Replacements: 16 Bruce Starr 17 Jim Evans 18 Karl Rudzki 19 Luke Sherriff 20 Scott Bemand 21 Nick Greenstock 22 Rob Jewell

Newcastle Falcons :15 Liam Botham 14 Mike Stephenson 13 Tom May 12 Mark Wilkinson 11 Jamie Noon 10 Jonny Wilkinson 9 Hall Charlton 1 Ian Peel 2 Steve Brotherstone 3 Micky Ward 4 Craig Hamilton 5 Stuart Grimes 6 Jon Dunbarm 7 Rob Devonshire 8 Richard Arnold