Newcastle Falcons team to face Leicester Tigers

Michael Young captains Newcastle Falcons on Wednesday night when they make the Premiership Rugby Cup trip to Leicester Tigers.

The former Leicester player forms a half-back partnership with Tian Schoeman as Newcastle set out in search of their first victory in this season’s competition.

Former Saracen Elliott Obatoyinbo starts at full-back in a back-line containing Iwan Stephens, the winger who scored a try and made another during the Falcons’ pre-season trip to Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Phil Brantingham returns at loose-head prop, with Matthew Dalton continuing in the second row after making his Gallagher Premiership debut away to Northampton Saints last weekend.

Marcus Tiffen, Matt Deehan and Tom Marshall form an all-academy back row, with Newcastle’s bench including potential competitive debuts for Vereimi Qorowale and Luke Coulston.

The Falcons have also taken the opportunity to rotate their coaching pool for the 7pm kick-off, with head of academy James Ponton taking charge.

Newcastle Falcons team v Leicester Tigers (Wednesday, 7pm, Mattioli Woods Welford Road).

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Alex Tait, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Ewan Greenlaw, 11 Iwan Stephens, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Michael Young (captain); 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 Charlie Maddison, 3 Mark Tampin, 4 Matthew Dalton, 5 George Merrick, 6 Marcus Tiffen, 7 Matt Deehan, 8 Tom Marshall.

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Conrad Cade, 18 Conor Kenny, 19 Luke Coulston, 20 Vereimi Qorowale, 21 Josh Barton, 22 Louie Johnson, 23 Zach Kerr.

Not available for selection: Callum Chick, Sam Clark, Trevor Davison, Nathan Earle, Carl Fearns, Gary Graham, George McGuigan, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Josh Peters, Greg Peterson, Oliver Spencer, Philip van der Walt, Will Welch.