Falcons v Saints: Teams

Newcastle Falcons have made just two changes for Sunday's Guinness Premiership visit of Northampton Saints to Kingston Park.

As well as Jonny Wilkinson's return to the side after shoulder surgery, Ed Williamson also comes in to the team at openside flanker, with Brent Wilson having broken a bone in his hand during last weekend's season opener against Sale Sharks.

On the bench Ollie Phillips takes the place of Tim Visser, while 18-year-old fly-half Rory Clegg is included after scoring all of Newcastle's points on his Guinness Premiership debut last Sunday.

Having picked up a bonus point in their 14-9 defeat to Sale last time out, director of rugby Steve Bates said: "We felt we should have won.

"Nothing I have seen on the video or in the stats has changed my mind on that, but we know there are reasons why we didn't and we just need to be much more clinical when we have the ball in attack.

"Particularly in the second half when we kept the ball a bit more in the top third we felt the game was there for the taking, but it's down to us to finish off those chances and we know where improvements have to be made this weekend.

Lively

"What we do from last week now is say that there were lots of positives, some errors we need to eradicate, so let's just get out there and do it. Learn from our mistakes, and go in to the next sporting contest."

Up against a newly-promoted Saints side this Sunday, Bates said: "Every team in this league has match winners, and Northampton are no different.

"We've had a good look at their game against Worcester from last week, and there are obvious things in their side that we need to be aware of from a tactical point of view.

"They have strong runners in the midfield, their back row looks fairly lively, but having said that there are also areas we have identified that we can attack in that team. They're a good side, but if we play well we have a very good chance of beating them."

Welcoming back England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson to his side, Bates said: "Jonny is now back fully fit, and feeling hugely confident.

"He has done all of the training this week and suffered no adverse effects to any of it, so we're looking forward to seeing the influence he can have on this side."

Saints news and team to follow...

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Tom May,13 Jamie Noon, 12 Spencer Davey, 11 John Rudd, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 James Grindal; 1 Joe McDonnell, 2 Andy Long, 3 Carl Hayman, 4 Mark Sorenson, 5 Andy Buist, 6 Adam Balding, 7 Ed Wiliamson, 8 Phil Dowson (capt).

Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Andy Perry, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Hall Charlton, 21 Ollie Phillips, 22 Rory Clegg.