Richards rings the changes for crucial Kingston Park clash with Sharks

NEWCASTLE Falcons have rung the changes for tonight’s Aviva Premiership visit of Sale Sharks to Kingston Park with eight new faces coming into the starting XV. Flanker Gary Graham returns after injuring his neck during England training in early February, the 25-year-old having played a quarter of Monday night’s 37-12 victory over A-League leaders Northampton.

Ally Hogg joins Graham in a freshened-up back-row, Will Witty replacing Sean Robinson in the second row as the Falcons look to preserve a record which has seen them unbeaten at Kingston Park Stadium in more than four and a half months in all competitions.

Michael Young returns from a leg injury to start at scrum-half exactly a decade on from his Falcons debut, Joel Hodgson replacing Toby Flood at fly-half.

Juan Pablo Socino starts for the first time since February in place of Josh Matavesi, the Argentinian centre having been part of the Falcons squad which defeated Sale Sharks 13-12 when the teams last met at the AJ Bell Stadium in September.

Simon Hammersley replaces Alex Tait at full-back, and Scott Lawson comes in for Kyle Cooper at hooker.

Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Friday night football at Kingston Park, for me, is the best thing out there.

“The atmosphere I think is the best on the circuit, the boys love going out there and the crowd really get them going.”

Newcastle Falcons team: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Michael Young, 1 Sam Lockwood, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Scott Wilson, 4 Calum Green, 5 Will Witty, 6 Will Welch (captain), 7 Gary Graham, 8 Ally Hogg. Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Rob Vickers, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Evan Olmstead, 20 Ryan Burrows, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Maxime Mermoz, 23 Alex Tait. Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys