Same again for Mallinder as Saints prepare for Newcastle trip

Jim Mallinder’s men cruised to a bonus-point 35-7 victory against London Irish last Saturday.

And they have stuck with the same starting line-up and bench in a bid to claim a third successive Aviva Premiership win for the first time this season.

Newcastle, who have won five successive home games in all competitions, are forced to make one change to the team that beat Leicester Tigers 26-14 last Friday.

Nili Latu, who took a knock in that game, drops to the bench with Mouritz Botha taking his place in the starting 15.

Newcastle Falcons: Hammersley; Tait, Harris, Powell, Watson; Goode, Young; Vickers, Lawson, Vea; Botha, Robinson; Wilson, Welch (c), Hogg.

Replacements: McGuigan, Rogers, Hatakeyama, Furno, Latu, Tane, Willis, Socino.

Saints: Foden; Elliott, Burrell, Mallinder, Wilson; Myler, Dickson (c); A Waller, Haywood, Brookes; Craig, Day; Gibson, Wood, Dickinson.

Replacements: Marshall, E Waller, Denman, Matfield, Harrison, Kessell, Hahrahan, G Pisi.