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| Ross Beattie puts in a tackle against Sale Sharks |
| © Getty Images |
| Beattie skippers Falcons |
| 9 May 2008, 10:03 am |
| By Scrum.com |
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| Newcastle Falcons have named former Scotland flanker Ross Beattie for the final match of the season as they make the Guinness Premiership trip to Worcester on Saturday. |
Acting director of rugby Steve Bates will wait on late fitness tests on Tait brothers Mathew (hip) and Alex (head), but in what is his side's third game in just seven days he has chosen to bring in a number of fresh bodies.
Scrum half Lee Dickson and flanker Ben Woods both make their final appearance in Newcastle colours before their respective summer transfers, while former Scotland back row Ross Beattie returns at No.8 after starring in last Sunday's victory over champions Leicester Tigers.
On the bench there is a return for fit-again All Black prop Joe McDonnell after a recent arm injury, while England Students flanker Peter Browne will be looking to make his second appearance for the club after his debut on Wednesday against London Wasps.
Speaking ahead of the game, acting director of rugby Steve Bates spoke of the challenges of preparing a team after such a physical encounter in midweek.
“We've had two games in under four days, Saturday will make it three in less than seven days, and there's no denying that the boys are extremely tired,” he said.
“We've cut right back on the work load this week in training, we've done a walk-through on Thursday and we travel all day Friday, but the effort from the boys who will end up playing two or even all of those three games has been absolutely heroic.
“We have picked a side for Saturday to basically say here is a chance for one or two people to stake their claim for next season. We fielded a largely young side against Wasps on Wednesday, and they were very competitive for the first hour before a couple of controversial decisions saw Wasps get themselves in front.
“We are looking at some different combinations, like Ross Beattie getting another start in the back row, which I am keen to see again after he did a lot of very promising things against Leicester on Sunday.
“The back line is looking a little injury-ridden, so we will have to see what shape that eventually takes. We are hoping that both Mathew and Alex Tait are fit to play, but if they aren't then we will have to unfortunately ask some of the guys who have already played two games this week to make it three on the trot.”
Having beaten Leicester and then lost to two second-half tries against Wasps, Bates said: “I think in these last couple of games we have shown glimpses of what we are aiming for, both in terms of the way we play but, equally importantly, how we force the opposition to play.
“We can take a certain number of pluses from that, but clearly we need to add more consistency to our play and we also still have a long way to go in terms of understanding how we are now going to approach the game. The team has all summer to work on that, and I am optimistic of the eventual outcome.
“What we are looking for from this game is just going down there and having a real go at Worcester, trying to develop our playing style with a view to next season.
“The inclusion of Lee Dickson, Ben Woods and, if fit, Mathew Tait, gives those guys the opportunity to have a send-off in Newcastle colours, which is the least they deserve after the contribution they have all made to this club.”
Newcastle Falcons team to face Worcester Warriors:
15 Alex Tait
14 Ollie Phillips
13 Mathew Tait
12 Tim Visser
11 John Rudd
10 Steve Jones
9 Lee Dickson
1 Jon Golding
2 Rob Vickers
3 David Wilson
4 Andy Perry
5 Mark Sorenson
6 Ben Woods
7 Ed Williamson
8 Ross Beattie (capt)
Replacements:
Ross Batty
Joe McDonnell
Tim Swinson
Peter Browne
Brent Wilson
James Grindal
Rob Miller.
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