Anglo-Welsh Cup
Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps
Scrum.com
October 24, 2008
Newcastle Falcons flanker Brent Wilson in action against Worcester, January 6 2008
Brent Wilson returns to the Newcastle flank against Wasps © Getty Images
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Both Wasps and Newcastle will be looking for a morale boosting win when the two sides face off at Kingston Park on Friday night in the second round of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

The Falcons have won just one of their past four games in all competitions, 63-0 at home to Spanish side El Salvador in the European Challenge Cup. There is better news at Kingston Park however as the Falcons have won their last three matches at home since Sale took away a 14-9 win in the Premiership on 7 September. Newcastle have lost their last two games in the EDF Energy Cup.

London Wasps have won only one of their last four games in all competitions, 25-11 at home to Castres in the European Cup on 12 October. Ian McGeechan's side will be looking to bounce back from a demoralising 41-11 loss to Leinster in las weekend's Heineken Cup second round. Wasps have won just once on the road this season however, 28-19 at Leicester in the Premiership on 26 September. The Londoners, who won this tournament in 2005/06, have lost their last two games in the EDF Energy Cup.

Newcastle's only win in their last six encounters against Wasps since 2005 was 37-11 at Kingston Park in the Premiership on 23 February 2007.

Newcastle Falcons welcome back fit-again flanker Brent Wilson to the starting lineup. The Kiwi returns after breaking his hand in the season opener against Sale Sharks back in September, and joins a Newcastle side showing four changes in total from last weekend's European outing in Brive.

South African Russell Winter comes in to captain the team from No.8, while James Grindal slots in at scrum half and Ollie Phillips starts on the right wing.

Ian McGeechan has made six changes to his starting line up. Wasps will be led by Tom Rees and McGeechan has rested club captain Raphael Ibanez as well as Eoin Reddan and Simon Shaw, moving Rob Webber, Mark Robinson and Richard Birkett into the starting line up.

Making his return from injury as a replacement against Leinster last weekend, full back Mark Van Gisbergen returns to the side alongside an unchanged wing pairing of Paul Sackey and Tom Voyce. In the centre a new partnership of Josh Lewsey and Jeremy Staunton can be seen with Staunton coming in in place of Riki Flutey, ruled out due to illness.

Pat Barnard will complete the front row alongside Tim Payne and Webber, with Phil Vickery named amongst the replacements which also include new signing Damien Varley, Joe Simpson and fly half Dave Walder.

Looking ahead to the clash McGeechan said, "It is always a tough challenge going up to Kingston Park. As our second away EDF Energy Cup fixture and with both sides missing out on a win in the first round, we know it's all to play for tomorrow night."

Newcastle Falcons: Steve Jones, Ollie Phillips, Jamie Noon, Tom May, John Rudd, Rory Clegg, James Grindal, Joe McDonnell, Andy Long, Carl Hayman, Andy Perry, Mark Sorenson, Adam Balding, Brent Wilson, Russell Winter (c)

Replacements: Rob Vickers, Jon Golding, Ross Beattie, Phil Dowson, Micky Young, Spencer Davey, Tom Dillon

London Wasps: Mark Van Gisbergen, Paul Sackey, Josh Lewsey, Jeremy Staunton, Tom Voyce, Danny Cipriani, Mark Robinson, Tim Payne, Rob Webber, Pat Barnard, Richard Birkett, Tom Palmer, James Haskell, Tom Rees (c), Joe Worsley

Replacements: Damien Varley, Phil Vickery, John Hart, Serge Betsen, Joe Simpson, Dan Leo, Dave Walder

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