Dowson upbeat ahead of big test

9:17am Friday 26th September 2008

AFTER a poor start to the season for both Newcastle Falcons and Bristol, home skipper Phil Dowson has denied this evening’s encounter amounts to a relegation scrap.

Falcons – one win in three – were thumped 44-14 at Saracens last Sunday, while the visitors have lost their opening three games.

Both teams have been predicted to struggle this campaign, but Dowson hit back, saying: “It’s a Premiership game with four points on offer that both sides desperately need, but I wouldn’t go as far as to buy in to the press chat about it being a relegation decider.

“Nobody said Wasps would be winless after three rounds, or that Saracens would have only won one game.

“Pundits are there to give opinions, I don’t think anyone really has a problem with that, but we’re staying very insular as a group here and just focusing on what Newcastle Falcons is going to do.

“We now we have a very big game against a good Bristol side, and that’s the attitude we are taking with us.’’ He added: “The result last weekend was not a true reflection of our defence, and Alan Tait has been doing fantastic work with the boys in that regard all summer.

“We as players have to take responsibility for letting the game get away from us, but in our previous two matches the defensive system largely stood up well against good sides in Sale and Northampton.

“We’re happy with the progress we are making defensively, last week’s game aside obviously, and we’re confident we can hold tight this Friday.’’ Falcons conceded five tries, last week and assistant coach Tait said: ‘‘There are no excuses for that performance.

‘‘The players were disappointed as well as the coaches, but we have identified the problems and believe we will see a major step up on Friday.

‘‘We brought the lads in for extra training on their day off this week, enabling us to get through a lot of work as a team and to sort out what needed sorting.’’ Bristol have recalled experienced forwards Roy Winters and Matt Salter, and there is a full Premiership debut for full-back Vunga Lilo, but flyhalf Adrian Jarvis misses out due to a knee problem.

Falcons suffered an injury blow, with full-back Alex Tait a late injury withdrawal.

He is suffering from an ankle injury, replaced by Steve Jones.

All Black prop Joe McDonnell returns from a pelvis injury, joined in the front row by hooker Matt Thompson.

Tim Visser starts on the right wing, with Tom May moving to inside centre.

Falcons: Jones, Visser, Noon, May, Rudd, Wilkinson, Grindal, McDonnell, Thompson, Hayman, Perry, Sorenson, Balding, Williamson, Dowson (captain).