Big One will be fan-tastic for Falcons

NEWCASTLE Falcons have named their team for The Big One at St James’ Park today as they take on Northampton Saints at the home of Newcastle United.

A club record home crowd is already assured with more than 27,000 tickets sold for the 5.30pm kick-off.

Newcastle native Will Welch is captaining the Falcons at a stadium he used to frequent as a child.

“My dad had a couple of season tickets for Newcastle United when I was growing up, so I used to go on the Gallowgate End fairly regularly,” said Welch, who became the Falcons’ youngest ever club captain six seasons ago.

“It’s an amazing stadium and it will be great to see so many Falcons fans there on Saturday.”

Welch is joined in the back row by Canadian international Evan Olmstead and Tonga’s mostcapped player, Nili Latu, who played at St James’ Park during the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Fly-half Toby Flood starts at the stadium where he was a Newcastle United ball-boy in his youth, saying: “It’s an iconic venue with an incredible atmosphere, and it’s great that the Falcons are taking a game there.

“Ultimately it’s an Aviva Premiership match like any other so the guys need to try and not be distracted by all the other stuff going on around it, but a big crowd really getting behind the team will make it a special occasion.”

Geordie prop Trevor Davison starts on the tight-head side with Jon Welsh having picked up an injury in the Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final at Exeter, Kyle Cooper aiming to continue his free-scoring form at hooker after dotting down five tries in his last six games.

Newcastle were 24-22 winners the last time they played Northampton and are on a run of four straight league victories over the Saints, not that director of rugby Dean Richards is taking them lightly.

“Northampton are a quality outfit and their position in the table doesn’t tell the full story,” said the Falcons boss.

Tickets for the game are available by calling 0844 372 1892, or from St James’ Park.