Argentinian ace fit and ready for Falcons’ Euro Challenge
MATIAS Orlando is among the returning players for Newcastle Falcons this afternoon as they make the European Challenge Cup trip to Welsh side Ospreys.
The Argentina centre has recovered from a groin injury in time for the one-leg round-of-16 clash at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.
The winner will earn a quarterfinal trip to either Leicester Tigers or Irish province Connacht Newcastle making a total of eight changes from the side which met Leicester in league action last weekend.
Trevor Davison, George McGuigan and Logovi’i Mulipola all return to the front row, USA lock Greg Peterson slotting back in following the birth of his second child last week.
Michael Young and Brett Connon form the half-back partnership, while Tom Penny returns at full-back having missed last weekend’s
Premiership assignment. Director of rugby Dean Richards welcomed the presence of so many of his key men for the 3.00 kick-off, saying: “We have some boys back from injury and probably some of our more influential boys in terms of leadership.
“It is a knockout situation now and we are looking forward to that element of it and just having that slightly different focus.
“A few of the guys have overcome injuries and niggles and there are a few others who are not that far away but just missed out this time.
“With people like Will Welch, Micky Young, Mark Wilson and Matias Orlando now available to us we are starting to have that experience and leadership which is so important to any team.
“We have put a huge onus on some of our younger players over the last few weeks, which they have taken well during a difficult period, and they will be better for that experience in the long run.”
Facing an Ospreys team which has already secured Heineken Champions Cup rugby for next season after winning at champions Leinster in Guinness Pro14 action, Richards is well aware a stern test lies ahead.
He added: “Ospreys are a good team and they are a different side when they have their international boys back.
“It is going to be an interesting game.
“Their internationals will be carrying plenty of confidence on the back of their Six Nations exploits and we know they will be very well coached under a guy like Toby Booth.
“We have nothing to lose and everything to gain in the European Challenge Cup this season and we will be throwing everything into it.”
Hopeful the Falcons can show a positive mindset right from the first whistle, Richards added: “I just want the boys to have a bit more confidence in their play because I thought when we started doing that during the second half at Leicester we looked a decent side.
“When we experience tough starts to the game like we had last weekend it is just a case of trying to retain that confidence and remembering the high levels of ability we have.
“We just need to give it a go right from the start rather than waiting until we are behind.
“Had we done that last weekend it could well have been a different story.”
Newcastle Falcons team to face Ospreys (Saturday, 3.00, Liberty Stadium, live on BT Sport ESPN & S4C): 15 Tom Penny, 14 George Wacokecoke, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Michael Young, 1 Trevor Davison, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch, 7 Mark Wilson (captain), 8 Callum Chick. Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Kyle Cooper, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Darren Barry, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Joel Matavesi, 23 Morgan Passman.