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TEAM NEWS: BOLAM TO START AT TIGERS
Newcastle Red Bulls hand a first start to George Bolam as they make the trip to Leicester Tigers in Friday’s PREM Rugby Cup assignment.
The 18-year-old flanker (pictured) made his debut from the bench during last week’s home encounter with Saracens, and comes into a starting XV showing nine changes for the televised clash.
Fellow academy back-rower Reuben Parsons once again captains the side, switching to No.8 as Bolam and Adam Scott come in for the injured Cameron Neild and Freddie Lockwood.
Micky Rewcastle and Richard Palframan freshen up the propping ranks, with Sam Stuart starting at scrum-half after ending last week’s game at fly-half. Ethan Grayson occupies the No.10 shirt this time out, with 20-year-old Rhys Beeckmans replacing Max Clark in the centres.
The Obatoyinbo brothers, Harrison and Elliott, start a game together for the first ever time, while there could also be a Red Bulls debut for on-loan hooker Samson Adejimi, who played against Newcastle for Saracens earlier in the competition.
Scrum-half Joe Davis is set to make his first appearance of the season having bounced back from a double injury blow, with the Co. Durham native breaking his arm on England Under-20s duty last Spring, then suffering a hamstring tear just prior to his scheduled comeback.
Head coach Alan Dickens, whose side reached the semi-finals of the PREM Rugby Cup last season, said: “This is a tournament we really value because it drives the competition within our squad and gives guys valuable opportunities for game time.
“In such a busy season it’s important we balance the physical load of the lads who have been playing a lot of rugby week in, week out, and it’s also a great chance to expose a number of lads to that first team match-day environment.
“It’s been proven time and time again over the years how valuable these games can be, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we rise to the challenge that Leicester will pose.”
Dickens added: “Once again we will captained by an impressive young man in Reuben Parsons, who I thought led the side well last week both in training and during the game.
“George Bolam stood up well on his debut after being called upon early due to injuries in our back row, and Finn Baker at lock is another player who is really taking his opportunities. Likewise Rhys Beeckmans in the centre and Natty Greenwood out wide with another try last weekend, and it’s vital that we have these guys pushing through.
“We know we need to put in a performance and get a result to keep ourselves in that hunt for the semi-finals, and of course Leicester will be looking for a response after losing against their derby rivals down at Northampton last weekend.
“Regardless of what personnel they put out it’s always a big test down at Welford Road, but we’ve prepared well and will give it our best shot.”
Newcastle Red Bulls v Leicester Tigers (Friday, 7.45pm, Mattioli Woods Welford Road, live on TNT Sports)
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Nathan Greenwood, 13 Rhys Beeckmans, 12 Cameron Hutchison, 11 Harrison Obatoyinbo, 10 Ethan Grayson, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Micky Rewcastle, 2 Bryn Gordon, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Tim Cardall, 5 Finn Baker, 6 Adam Scott, 7 George Bolam, 8 Reuben Parsons (captain).
Replacements: 16 Samson Adejimi, 17 Connor Hancock, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Seb de Chaves, 20 Ollie Fletcher, 21 Joe Davis, 22 Max Clark, 23 Sam Waugh.
Leicester Tigers: 15 James O’Connor, 14 Will Wand, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Ryan Crowley, 10 Tom Whiteley, 9 Charlie Bemand; 1 Cameron Miell, 2 Finn Theobald-Thomas, 3 Ale Loman, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Tom Manz, 6 Harry Palmer, 7 Josh Manz, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (captain).
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Tubuna Maka, 18 Tonga Kofe, 19 Monty Loggenberg, 20 James Cherry, 21 Tom Threlfall, 22 Wilf McCarthy, 23 Kesena Izu.
Referee: Jamie Parr.
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