Moroni returns to face old team as Newcastle Falcons name team

Newcastle Falcons have named their team for Sunday’s televised Gallagher Premiership trip to Leicester Tigers.

Matias Moroni makes his first trip back to Mattioli Woods Welford Road since forming part of the Leicester side which won the 2022 Premiership final.

The Argentina centre scored against his former club back in January when the Falcons enjoyed a 45-26 home victory, also crossing the try-line last weekend with a first-half score against Exeter Chiefs.

He lines up in a Newcastle team showing five personnel changes from that game – Louis Brown coming onto the left wing after scoring on his Premiership debut at Sale Sharks a fortnight ago. Elliott Obatoyinbo starts at full-back, meanwhile, as Tom Penny moves up into the centres in place of Cameron Hutchison (concussion).

In the forward pack Sam Cross starts at open-side with Guy Pepper missing out due to the hip injury sustained against Exeter. Adam Brocklebank packs down at loose-head prop, and former Tiger Sebastian de Chaves starts at lock.

Louie Johnson continues at fly-half, with the 20-year-old Cumbrian striking a touchline winner with the final kick of the game on his last visit to Welford Road when the Falcons snatched a Premiership Rugby Cup triumph in October of last year.

Tim Cardall is added to the bench with a calf injury having ruled out Philip van der Walt, and there is a recall for outside back Oliver Spencer after impressing on his Premiership debut at Sale Sharks.