Jonny defies shoulder problem
DESPITE requiring shoulder
surgery, Jonny Wilkinson will
join his England colleagues
Jamie Noon and Toby Flood in returning
to the Newcastle Falcons
team for tomorrow nightfs European
Challenge Cup semi-final at
Worcester.
The centres have shaken off
their ankle injuries, while
Wilkinson is back after missing
Sundayfs heavy defeat at Sale because
of concussion.
After fielding almost a second
string for that match, caretaker
boss Steve Bates has decided that
none of those who had the
chance to stake a claim made a
cast-iron case for inclusion.
Other than long-term absentees
such as Matt Burke, and
prop Joe McDonnell, he has been
able to select his strongest side.
Bates has, however, preferred
James Grindal at scrum half to
Lee Dickson, who is joining
Northampton at the end of the
season.
Phil Dowson returns to lead
the side from No 8 with Ben
Woods and Andy Buist alongside
him, while All Black prop Carl
Hayman also returns after being
rested for the last two games.
Bates said: gThe boys are fresh
and in reasonable shape. They
have trained well all week and
there is a very positive focus.
gThis is a very important game
in terms of reaching a European
final, and this is a competition in
which we have done well this
season.
gWe have had some good performances,
especially Brive away,
and if we get to the final that
would be a fantastic occasion for
our supporters.
gWe would have to win the
tournament, not just reach the
final, to say that this is a significant
enough step in terms of fulfilling
our potential.
gAs well as the obvious aim of
winning a trophy, the main goal
is Heineken Cup rugby for next
season and all the benefits that
brings to the club and the fans. It
gives us a great chance to finish
the season on a high.h
Newcastle Falcons: Mathew Tait, Tom
May, Jamie Noon, Toby Flood, John
Rudd, Jonny Wilkinson, James Grindal,
Micky Ward, Matt Thompson, Carl Hayman,
Andy Perry, Mark Sorenson, Andy
Buist, Ben Woods, Phil Dowson (capt)
Stockton stick with the same
squad that gave Billingham a
fright last week for Saturdayfs
Durham Junior Cup final against
Barnard Castle at Hartlepool
Rovers.
Gareth Foulkes will start at
hooker with Dan Muirhead moving
to prop and Sean Willis dropping
to the bench.
Peter Armstongfs involvement
is again dependent on the weather
wiping out cricket, but if he is
unavailable Ritchie Brown will
move into the centre from the
wing.
Stocktonfs last appearance in a
final was in 1997, when they won
the senior cup for the fifth time
in seven seasons, after which
they lost several players to Darlington.
11:12am Thursday 24th April 2008
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