Tane to start for Falcons

8:46am Friday 14th November 2008

NEWCASTLE Falcons will hand a debut to Tongan centre Tane Tu’ipulotu when they look to end a four-game domestic losing run against London Irish on Sunday.

Tu’ipulotu was forced to sit out this month’s EDF Energy Cup defeat to Gloucester because his international clearance had not come through in time, but with his registration confirmed, the former junior All Black will start at inside centre this weekend.

Falcons director of rugby Steve Bates has made two further changes for the visit of the Exiles, with Andy Long replacing Rob Vickers at hooker and Rory Clegg coming in for ankle-injury victim Rob Miller at fly-half. There are also returns for David Wilson, Ross Beattie and Geoff Parling on the replacements’ bench.

“Tane has been here two weeks now, and the initial impressions are all very good ones,” said Bates. “I think people have to be patient because it will take him time to get used to the Premiership and playing with a totally new team, but that process starts this weekend.

“What I have seen from him in training has backed up everything we thought when we were looking to sign him. He links up well, brings other people into play and I’ve been really impressed with his communication.

“Having that experience is important, especially with a young fly-half, and the partnership between him and Rory Clegg looks like being a good one based on what we have seen in training.”

Newcastle are currently eighth in the Premiership table, but with the Autumn internationals in full swing, the North-Easterners are about to enter a section of the season that should play to their strengths.

The decision to sell both Mathew Tait and Toby Flood was influenced by a desire to cut down on the disruption caused by the international programme.

Centre Jamie Noon, playing against Australia, is Newcastle’s only international absentee, compared to the eight players who are likely to be unavailable to the final visitors to Kingston Park this month, Wasps.

“There is a huge emphasis on these next three Guinness Premiership games,” said Bates.

Falcons: Jones, Williams, May, Tu’ipulotu, Rudd, Clegg, Charlton; Golding, Long, Ward, Swinson, Sorenson, Williamson, B Wilson, Dowson.

■ Newcastle have designated Sunday as a special family fun day. A family of two adults and two children can gain free parking and four standing tickets in the covered South Terrace for £50, or West Stand seats for £75. For ticket information call 0871 2266060.