Falcons team to face Gloucester
September 13, 2002

Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew has dropped Tongan flanker Epi Taione for Gloucester's visit to Kingston Park, a decision he insists is entirely form related.

Following the clash between the two sides last season at Kingsholm Andrew claimed that Taione had been racially abused.

New signing Soa Otuvaka replaces him, while Phil Dowson moves to number eight and Richard Arnold features in the back-row.

Wing Michael Stephenson is sidelined with a shoulder injury, so Jamie Noon moves from centre and Phil Godman makes his first Premiership start in midfield alongside Tom May.

Elsewhere, scrum-half Hall Charlton and prop Micky Ward are recalled.

15 Liam Botham
14 Joe Shaw
13 Phil Godman
12 Tom May
11 Jamie Noon
10 Jonny Wilkinson (Capt)
9 Hall Charlton
1 Ian Peel
2 Steve Brotherstone
3 Micky Ward
4 Hugh Vyvyan
5 Stuart Grimes
6 Soa Otuvaka
7 Richard Arnold
8 Phil Dowson

Replacements
16 James Grindal
17 Epi Taione
18 Rob Devonshire
19 Craig Hamilton
20 Marius Hurter
21 Matt Thompson
22 James Isaacson

The following players are unavailable for selection due
to injury: -
Dave Walder (tibia), Dave Richardson (cruciate ligament)
and Michael Stephenson (shoulder).

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