WILL WELCH has tipped Newcastle Falcons to spring a surprise on Sunday when they travel to a Saracens side shorn of their international contingent.

Sarries might be top of the Aviva Premiership, but they are without Chris Ashton, Owen Farrell, Joel Tomkins and Mako and Billy Vunipola, who are all part of the England squad taking on Australia in the autumn international at Twickenham.

The league leaders will still be able to name a strong starting XV, but the absence of so many key players could have an impact on their performance.

Falcons are in decent fettle themselves having recorded back-to-back league wins over London Irish and Worcester, and Welch insists they will not be heading to Allianz Park to make up the numbers.

“I genuinely think we can go down there and get something,” said the Falcons skipper. “It’s the ideal time to play them, with them having so many internationals away.

“While they will still have a strong side, it will be less so than if they had all their England players involved. If we go down there and give it our best shot, we can come away with something.”

Welch returned from a shoulder injury when he stepped up from the replacements’ bench during last weekend’s hard-fought win over London Irish.

The appearance was his 100th in a Falcons shirt, but the back rower admits he did not know he was on the verge of the landmark until just before kick-off.

“I had an idea I was there or thereabouts, so I asked our team manager, John Stokoe, to have a look at the stats,” said Welch. “It turned out I was on 99, although with being out injured, I’d been stuck on that number for a couple of weeks.

“Everyone who makes the 100 mark gets quite a big deal made of it, and I think that’s important. It’s a big milestone which probably doesn’t happen too often, and it’s something I class as a real honour to do it for my local team.”

Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards has made four changes from last weekend, with Welch returning to the starting line-up and Kieran Brookes replacing Oliver Tomaszczyk at tight head.

Former Saracens winger Noah Cato also gets the nod, along with Scotland international Phil Godman, who returns at fly-half.

Cato and Adam Powell have both represented Saracens in the past, and the latter is relishing the opportunity to tackle one of the favourites for the Premiership title.

“Saracens is a brilliant challenge for us, especially after the win against London Irish,” said Powell. “It will be a good opportunity to see where we are as a team, and we’ll be looking to go out there and play some good rugby.

“There’s been a real buzz in training this week and after you get a win under your belt, there’s always an extra zip in the sessions. Everyone has a bit more energy.”

Newcastle Falcons: Tait, Cato, Barnes, Powell, Shortland, Godman, Blair; Vickers, Lawson, Brookes, del Fava, Barrow, M Wilson, Welch, Hogg.

Replacements: McGuigan, Shiells, S Wilson, McKenzie, R Mayhew, Fury, Clegg, Fitzpatrick.