Match Preview: Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins

January 05, 2024
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Ultimate Rugby

Brett Connon will make his 100th appearance for Newcastle Falcons as they welcome Harlequins to Kingston Park.

Connon comes into the starting line-up for the visit of the Stoop outfit as one of five changes, with George Wacokecoke getting a start in the midfield.

Quins have made a number of changes from the team that beat Gloucester Rugby in the Big Game, including a new half-back pairing of Will Porter and Will Edwards while Fin Baxter takes over at loosehead prop.

TV: Live on PRTV, kick-off 7.45pm

Referee: Matthew Carley

Assistant Referees: Hamish Smales and Wayne Falla

TMO: Tom Foley

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Penny, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Jordan Holgate, 11 Iwan Stephens, 10 Brett Connon, 9 James Elliott; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 Bryan Byrne, 3 Eduardo Bello, 4 Sebastian de Chaves, 5 Kiran McDonald, 6 Pedro Rubiolo, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Josh Barton, 22 Louie Johnson, 23 Elliott Obatoyinbo.

Harlequins: 15 Tyrone Green, 14 Nick David, 13 Oscar Beard, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Cameron Anderson, 10 Will Edwards, 9 Will Porter, 1 Fin Baxter, 2 Jack Walker, 3 Will Collier, 4 Irne Herbst, 5 George Hammond, 6 James Chisholm, 7 Will Evans, 8 Alex Dombrandt (Captain).

Replacements: 16 Sam Riley, 17 Jordan Els, 18 Lovejoy Chawatama, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Max Green, 22 Lennox Anyanwu, 23 Louis Lynagh.

Oval Insights

Newcastle Falcons

• Rory Jennings scored a round-high total of 14 points against Saracens last weekend. No Falcons player has scored as many points in a match so far this season.

• Guy Pepper made six more tackles against Saracens last weekend than any other player has made in a match this season, a total of 34.

• Jamie Blamire has won a total of ten turnovers this season – the third-most in the league. He is the only front rower in the top ten.

• The Falcons get back in the game after 38.3% of their tackles – fewer than any other team.

Harlequins

• Nick David was the only player to score two tries in Round 10. He is among the top ten players for ‘Defenders Beaten’ this season (28).

• Tyrone Green made a total of 132 metres in this season’s Big Game – more than any other player in Round 10. Marcus Smith also made 113 – more than any other fly-half has made in a match this season.

• Andre Esterhuizen made a round-high four dominant tackles against Gloucester last weekend.

• Alex Dombrandt has made more carries (125), more dominant carries (34), and won more turnovers (12) than any other player so far this season.