Newcastle v Bristol Bears | Preview
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A new era for Newcastle Falcons begins at Kingston Park as they look to get off to a flying start in Gallagher Premiership Rugby at home to Bristol Bears.
In his first full season in charge, Steve Diamond will look to improve the team’s fortunes after they were winless in the league last term.
Callum Chick leads the side, with Connor Doherty and Sammy Arnold forming a new-look midfield pairing, while the exciting Ben Redshaw will look to add some spark off the bench.
They take on a Bears side who narrowly missed out on the top four last season, finishing strongly under Pat Lam.
Lam has been able to call on the services of the experienced Steven Luatua in the back row, with the flanker having not featured in pre-season.
He will line up alongside Jake Heenan and skipper Fitz Harding, while Ellis Genge starts at loosehead prop, with Max Lahiff shifting to tighthead.
In the backs, Gabriel Ibitoye was one of the stars of last season on the wing, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg will be hoping to a similar impact to the one he had in his first year at Ashton Gate.
TV: Live on discovery+, kick-off 7.45pm
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe
Assistant Referees: Hamish Smales & John Meredith
TMO: Dean Richards
Team News
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Connor Doherty, 12 Sammy Arnold, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 John Hawkins, 5 Kiran McDonald, 6 Philip van der Walt, 7 Tom Gordon, 8 Callum Chick (c)
Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Luan de Bruin, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Freddie Lockwood, 20 Adam Scott, 21 Joe Davis, 22 Louis Brown, 23 Ben Redshaw
Bristol Bears: 15 Max Malins, 14 Siva Naulago, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 James Williams, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 Max Lahiff, 4 James Dun, 5 Joe Batley, 6 Steven Luatua, 7 Jake Heenan, 8 Fitz Harding (c)
Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 George Kloska, 19 Josh Caulfield, 20 Ben Grondona, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Joe Jenkins, 23 Rich Lane
Oval Insights
Newcastle Falcons
- Newcastle Falcons conceded fewer turnovers (214) than any other team in the Premiership in 2023-2024.
- Adam Radwan beat 60 defenders (4th) and made 17 clean breaks (14th) last season.
Bristol Bears
- The Bears 93.5% lineout success was the best in the league last season. They also led the league in tries scored from lineouts with 42.
- Bristol Bears scored the most tries from their own 22 last season (five). Only Northampton Saints (24) topped the Bears’ total of 21 tries scored from their own half.
- Gabriel Ibitoye ranked second in the league for clean breaks (26) and beat more defenders than anyone else (75).
