Team news: Chick back for Saints trip

Captain Callum Chick returns for Newcastle Falcons on Saturday when they make the Gallagher Premiership trip to Northampton Saints.

The skipper forms part of a side which sees the return of winger Adam Radwan and open-side Guy Pepper, with the Falcons looking to kick on from last weekend’s 32-23 victory away to Perpignan.

Fly-half Louie Johnson retains his place after kicking eight from eight in France, forming a half-back painting with Hugh O’Sullivan, the Irishman who scored the Falcons’ first try in the EPCR Challenge Cup triumph.

Phil Brantingham is back at loose-head prop in the only other change to the team, while a power-packed Falcons bench sees the return of Argentina wing Mateo Carreras, who scored the Premiership’s try of the season in last year’s corresponding fixture.

Interim head coach Micky Ward is in charge of the side for one last time before incoming consultant director of rugby Steve Diamond takes the reins next week, and Ward believes there is momentum behind his charges as they head down to the East Midlands.

The Falcons’ all-time appearance record holder said: “We had a good trip over to Perpignan and enjoyed the win, and even though our flight got cancelled on the way back there hasn’t been too much disruption to our training week.

“Our preparation was good last week and the lads executed the game plan on the day. The thing now is to make sure it isn’t a one-off, and we really want to use it as a springboard for the rest of our season.

“It’s only one win so nobody is going overboard, but hopefully it just gives the lads a little bit of confidence and they can go down to Northampton with their chests puffed out, ready to do it again.”

Having won the first of his two games in charge, the interim boss joked: “I was thinking about packing in yesterday just so I could retire with a 100% record, but all joking aside I’ve been happy to step up and do the role while we’re in this short transition period.

“The backing I’ve had from the coaches and players has been really good, and everyone’s buying into the plan. Steve Diamond starts properly next week but he’s popped in already to say hello and talk about a few things, so it’s an exciting time for everybody at the club.

“I’ve known Dimes for years, I went on an England Saxons tour when he was coaching and our paths have crossed loads of times whenever our teams have played against each other. I think it’s awesome for the club to have someone like him coming in, and he’s a great bloke.

“He’ll keep it simple, he’ll get things done and the lads will buy into it. From a club point of view I think it’s outstanding, and I know from the chat around the place that everyone’s just looking forward to working with him.”

Up against a familiar face on Saturday in former Falcons captain Phil Dowson, Ward is relishing his touchline tussle with the Northampton Saints boss.

“Dows is a great bloke who was a team-mate of mine for a number of years up here, and he’s a top coach,” he said.

“He’s done a great job down at Northampton and we’ll have a bit banter no doubt before the game, but it’ll be great to go up against him and hopefully stick one on them.

“Northampton look to throw the ball around which gets the crowd behind them, and it gets a bit loose. We’ve just got to make sure we don’t let them get their offloads away and have that quick ball that they thrive off.

“It’s about putting pressure on them, keeping them in a box and not allowing them that front foot. It’s a massive challenge because they’re a top side, but I don’t see any reason why we can’t go down there and get something.”

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints (Saturday, 2pm, Cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens, live on Discovery+)

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Cameron Hutchison, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Louie Johnson, 9 Hugh O’Sullivan; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 Bryan Byrne, 3 Murray McCallum, 4 John Hawkins, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Sam Cross, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Freddie Lockwood, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Rory Jennings, 23 Mateo Carreras.

Not available for selection: Jamie Blamire, Sam Clark, James Elliott, Isaac Keller, Ollie Leatherbarrow, Richard Palframan, Vereimi Qorowale, Pedro Rubiolo, Iwan Stephens, Marcus Tiffen, Philip van der Walt.

Referee: Sara Cox.