Pat Sanderson will captain Worcester at home for the first time this season against Newcastle © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Matches: Worcester Warriors 26 - 11 Newcastle Falcons

Teams: England | Newcastle Falcons | Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors make one change to the starting line-up for their Premiership clash with Newcastle Falcons at Sixways.

Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock is forced into a change at scrum half with Matt Powell replacing Ryan Powell, who is struggling with a knee injury. Summer arrival Ben Jones is named on the bench as Warriors, captained by Pat Sanderson, hunt a first league victory on home soil this term.

Tongan hooker Aleki Lutui returns to the squad and is named among the replacements after missing the trip to Edgeley Park to be with his wife after she gave birth to a daughter.

Newcastle welcome back forward trio David Wilson, Geoff Parling and Matt Thompson to their side. Injuries to back row pair Ed Williamson (shoulder) and Russell Winter (hamstring) mean a reshuffle as Parling slots in to the second row and Tim Swinson moves back to blindside flanker, while Thompson assumes hooking duties from Andy Long and England Saxon Wilson takes over at tight head prop.

With injuries currently ravaging the Newcastle squad, director of rugby Steve Bates goes with the same back line which started in last Sunday's encounter with London Irish, as Junior All Black centre Tane Tu'ipulotu lines up for his second outing in Newcastle colours.

Having lost 24-8 in their last Premiership encounter at home to London Irish on Sunday, Bates said: "Certainly Monday was a pretty soul-searching sort of day.

"Players, coaches and everyone involved know that we didn't do out on the pitch some of the things we had talked about in the week, and there wasn't enough rugby nous to make the necessary changes during the game.

"We are always very critical of our own performance, last weekend was no exception but the boys have bounced back very well this week ahead of what is always a tough trip to Worcester."

Previewing the Friday clash, he added: "Worcester are a good side who have spent a lot of money and acquired some big international stars, we know that Sixways is a difficult place to go but we're looking forward to the challenge.

"We've made a few changes to our side, guys have a chance to prove themselves again and we're just starting to welcome back a couple of our long term injured players like Davey Wilson, Geoff Parling and Pete Browne.

"Having that real specialist tight head like Davey will really be a boost, although Micky Ward did have an excellent game against Gloucester a fortnight ago it has to be said. Geoff Parling returning at lock gives our line out more options and also with his running in the loose, and then at hooker we have Matt Thompson back in with Andy Long carrying a bit of a knock to the shoulder.

"This week has been a short one in terms of work load after playing Sunday, resting Monday and then travelling Thursday, but despite only having two real training days the approach from everyone has been really professional and focused.

"We're going to Worcester with the mindset that we will attack every aspect of the game and win the match. Now we know that is not going to be easy against them with a big home crowd down there and a bit of confidence after their win at Sale last weekend, but we're not just going there to make up the numbers."

Newcastle captain Phil Dowson is sure that his side have a game-plan that can bring them success.

"When you're playing professional rugby you know there are going to be occasions when you lose games, but the disappointing and frustrating times are when you lose games by the fact that you simply haven't turned up and done what you said you were going to do during the week," said the skipper. "The game plan was a good one, training was very positive but then we produced an 80 minutes of rugby which was as poor as I've seen in a good few years. Getting beaten by a better team when you've given your all is one thing, but when you don't even put up a challenge it's just unacceptable.

"The good thing this week is that we have a chance on Friday to right some of those wrongs, and the guys are itching to get back out there."

After a constructive week in which the focus has been firmly on the task ahead rather than recriminations for past events, he added: "There's no point going round slating each other.

"Everyone knows that Sunday was nowhere near good enough, and rest assured we don't need to be told. There wasn't anything wrong rugby-wise with what we had done during the week, the coaches had prepared the team well but as players we need to stand up and admit that psychologically we just weren't at the races.

"To sit there in that changing room after the game, look over to the guy next to you and know that you've let him and the supporters down with the way you've performed, that really hurts. I include myself in that, but we're proud people and we now have the ideal chance to come out fighting on Friday to show the public what we're really about."

With the Sixways clash coming just five days after their last outing, Dowson said, "We've been well looked after physically this week with a Sunday to Friday turnaround, and we know that confidence is going to be a massive factor.

"Obviously Worcester have no shortage of that after getting a result up at Sale last weekend, but we have the mindset that there is nothing for us to fear. We need to go down there full of belief, execute the plans we have set up during the week and really battle for each other. Last weekend we didn't show up, it was a total abomination of a performance, but that's gone now, so rather than crying over spilt milk we're looking ahead and working hard to get things back on track.

"It's great to get guys like Davey Wilson and Geoff Parling back from injury, because it's a pretty lonely place when you're rehabbing in the gym and the physio room for months on end.

"When you're in that situation you just look forward to any chance you get to play, and so for those boys this Friday will be a massive game for them which they will have been anticipating for months. They both made good cameos last Sunday, there are points to prove in terms of selection and having them back has been a real lift to the squad."

In terms of his own role as skipper, he added, "There's only so far words can get you, ultimately it's about our actions out on the field and obviously as captain I have a role to play in that.

"I have to hold my hand up and say I didn't do that through my own performance on Sunday, but I'm determined to make amends on Friday night and lead by example. I know I need to defend better, carry more effectively and make tactical decisions. I'm not shying away from that responsibility at all."

Worcester Warriors: Chris Latham, Chris Pennell, Dale Rasmussen, Sam Tuitupou, Miles Benjamin, Matthew Jones, Matt Powell, Matt Mullan, Chris Fortey, Tevita Taumoepeau, Greg Rawlinson, Craig Gillies, Netani Talei, Pat Sanderson (c), Kai Horstmann

Replacements: Chris Horsman, Aleki Lutui, Will Bowley, Matt Cox, Ben Jones, Loki Crichton, Rico Gear

Newcastle Falcons: Steve Jones, Danny Williams, Tom May, Tane Tu'ipulotu, John Rudd, Rory Clegg, Hall Charlton, Jon Golding, Matt Thompson, David Wilson, Geoff Parling, Mark Sorenson, Tim Swinson, Brent Wilson, Phil Dowson (captain)

Replacements: Rob Vickers, Micky Ward, Andy Perry, Peter Browne, James Grindal, Tom Dillon, Tim Visser