FIRST TEAM
TEAM NEWS: HEARLE RETURNS AGAINST SARACENS
Alex Hearle returns to Newcastle Red Bulls’ line-up for Saturday’s Gallagher PREM trip to Saracens.
Head coach Dan McFarland makes just three changes to the side which defeated Sale Sharks last week, with Cam Jordan returning at second row and Sam Graham replacing the injured Hoskins Sotutu at No.8.
Former Saracens hooker Samson Adejimi comes onto the bench for the 3pm kick-off at StoneX Stadium, with Ollie Leatherbarrow also among the replacements in the week that he received his first Scotland call-up.
McFarland said: “Saracens have got a squad full of internationals and a big track record of success in this league, so they will rightly have our full respect.
“It didn’t click for them last weekend at Harlequins but we know they will be keen to improve on that, and we’re under no illusions about the size of the challenge. That said, we’re travelling with some confidence now, and if we can get our own game firing then it should be a good contest.”
Reflecting on a hard-fought win over Sale Sharks in last week’s Battle for the North, McFarland said: “We were very pleased with a lot of what we did on the night.
“The weather had a huge impact and it was a very different style of game from what we had seen previously, so it was a night where we had to dig deep.
“Sale are a big physical team and there were probably some people outside of this organisation questioning whether or not we could deal with that, but fair play to the lads for fronting up. It was a tight game but at key moments we saw signs of the Newcastle Red Bulls brand of rugby that we’re trying to bring about, and the all-round effort was tremendous.”
The game also saw Newcastle Christian Wade drawing level with Chris Ashton as the Gallagher PREM’s all-time top try-scorer, with McFarland hailing his effervescent winger.
“Wadey was very excited about scoring the try to level the record, and rightly so, because it’s a fantastic achievement,” said the Red Bulls boss.
“You could see from the way he was mobbed by the lads how much he is valued and respected here, the connection is clearly very strong and it will be even more so on Saturday if he breaks the record down at Saracens. He’s a special guy who brings a real energy to our group, and as much as rugby is the ultimate team game it’s also important to celebrate the individual milestones like this when they come around.”
Another Newcastle player enjoying a significant moment this week was back-rower Ollie Leatherbarrow, having been called up by Scotland ahead of their Nations Championship fixtures.
McFarland said: “Ollie has made an impact whenever he has been involved for us, and it’s great to see him rewarded for that by his Scotland selection.
“He’s been excellent throughout pre-season and in our games, and he’s a dynamic competitor who loves to get his hands on the ball. He’s a workhorse, but he’s also much more than that because he brings moments of real quality and impact.
“As well as being pleased for Ollie, I also think of it in a wider context in terms Newcastle being seen as a club where you can come and further your international aspirations. It’s not an instant process but we’re starting to get there, and I think it’s important for players to be assured they can earn that recognition by coming here, working hard and playing well.”
Newcastle Red Bulls v Saracens (Saturday, 3pm, StoneX Stadium, live on HBO Max)
15 Josh Hodge, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Will Rigg, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 4 Oscar Usher, 5 Cam Jordan, 6 Max Hicks, 7 Tom Christie (captain), 8 Sam Graham.
Replacements: 16 Samson Adejimi, 17 Tom West, 18 Francisco Moreno, 19 Finn Baker, 20 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21 James Elliott, 22 Zack Henry, 23 Chris Harris.
Not available for selection: Sammy Arnold, Benjamín Elizalde, Allan Ferrie, Ethan Grayson, Cameron Hutchison, Franco Molina, Richard Palframan, Reuben Parsons, Raffi Quirke, Micky Rewcastle, Adam Scott, Hoskins Sotutu, Rusi Tuima, George Turner, Sam Waugh.
Referee: Ian Tempest.
