Falcons skipper reads the riot act

4:25pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

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NEWCASTLE Falcons skipper Phil Dowson has delivered a damning assessment of his side's performance in Sunday's comprehensive home defeat to London Irish, and admitted there must be no repeat in Friday night's away game at Worcester.

Newcastle slumped to a 24-8 reverse last weekend, slipping to within three points of the foot of the Premiership table in the process.

Their performance was one of the worst witnessed at Kingston Park in recent seasons, and Dowson admits some harsh words have been exchanged in the subsequent three days.

"The game plan was a good one and training was very positive," said the Falcons captain. "But then we produced an 80 minutes of rugby which was as poor as I've seen in a good few years.

"Getting beaten by a better team when you've given your all is one thing, but when you don't even put up a challenge it's just unacceptable.

"The only good thing is that we have a chance on Friday to right some of those wrongs, and the guys are itching to get back out there.

"To sit there in that changing room after the game, look over to the guy next to you and know that you've let him and the supporters down with the way you've performed, really hurts. Now, we have to show what we're really about."

Hampered by an injury list that includes the names of 12 senior players, director of rugby Steve Bates has been unable to make wholesale changes for Friday's game.

Newcastle's back line remains unchanged, with Tongan centre Tane Tu'ipulotu making his second start, but there are three personnel changes in the pack.

Back row pair Ed Williamson and Russell Winter are injured, so Geoff Parling returns to the second row while Tim Swinson moves back to blindside flanker.

Matt Thompson assumes hooking duties from Andy Long, with England Saxon David Wilson taking over at tight-head prop.

"We're just starting to welcome back a few of our long-term injured players," said Bates. "Having a specialist tight-head like Davey will be a boost, even though Micky Ward had an excellent game against Gloucester a fortnight ago.

"Geoff Parling returning at lock gives our line-out more options, and he's also important in terms of running in the loose. Then we have Matt Thompson back in at hooker with Andy Long carrying a bit of a knock to the shoulder.

"This week has been a short one in terms of workload after playing Sunday, resting Monday and then travelling Thursday, but despite only having two real training days, the approach from everyone has been focused and professional."

NEWCASTLE FALCONS (vs Worcester): Jones, Williams, May, Tu'ipulotu, Rudd, Clegg, Charlton; Golding, Thompson, D Wilson, Parling, Sorenson, Swinson, B Wilson, Dowson (capt) Replacements: Vickers, Ward, Perry, Browne, Grindal, Dillon, Visser.

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