First Team
TEAM NEWS: RED BULLS SIDE FOR TIGERS TRIP
Newcastle Red Bulls have named their side for Saturday’s PREM Rugby Cup trip to Leicester Tigers.
Super Rugby winner Pouri Rakete-Stones makes his debut at loose-head prop in the 3pm kick-off at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with Gallagher PREM winner Elliot Millar Mills packing down for the first time on the tight-head side.
Will Rigg starts in the centres having played in last season’s PREM Rugby Cup final at the same venue for Exeter Chiefs, with Kiwi flanker Tom Christie captaining a Red Bulls side who have won all of three of their pre-season games against Doncaster Knights, Rotherham Titans and Glasgow Warriors.
Former Tigers Tom West and Zack Henry line up against their old club, with head coach Dan McFarland relishing the prospect of his first competitive game in charge since joining from Japanese champions Kobelco Steelers.
I’ve been pleased with a lot of what we’ve shown so far in our training and our three friendly games in terms of the effort and intention to play fast, attacking rugby.
“It’s been a really exciting summer of working hard and building cohesion in what is a relatively new group, but it’s all about seeing it being implemented in a match scenario,” he said.
“I’ve been pleased with a lot of what we’ve shown so far in our training and our three friendly games in terms of the effort and intention to play fast, attacking rugby.
“It’s not all going to happen straightaway, and I’m sure everyone is realistic about this being a work in progress. We’ve still got lots to improve on, but I’m really encouraged by the progress we’re making and the commitment that everybody has towards the way we want to play the game.”
Asked what the main target is this weekend, McFarland added: “I want to see the continued progression of our game ahead of the start of the Gallagher PREM in a fortnight.
“We have lots of new combinations, and there’s a big cohesion piece with having brought in so many new players and coaches over the summer.
“We’re all competitive people by nature and of course we want to win the game, but primarily it’s about putting in place the building blocks for the season ahead.”
Supporters are advised that Saturday’s game is not being televised or live-streamed.
Newcastle Red Bulls v Leicester Tigers (Saturday, 3pm, Mattioli Woods Welford Road)
15 Harrison Obatoyinbo, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Will Rigg, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Brett Connon, 9 James Elliott; 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 4 Finn Baker, 5 Cam Jordan, 6 Max Hicks, 7 Tom Christie (captain), 8 Sam Graham.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Tom West, 18 James Harper, 19 Allan Ferrie, 20 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21 Joe Davis, 22 Zack Henry, 23 Chris Harris.
Leicester Tigers: 15 George Pearson, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Will Wand, 12 Joseph Woodward, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Orlando Bailey, 9 Ollie Allan; 1 Archie van der Flier, 2 Samiuela Moli, 3 Joel Sclavi, 4 James Thompson, 5 Cameron Henderson, 6 Osian Thomas, 7 Samuel Williams, 8 Olly Cracknell (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Ale Loman, 19 Finn Carnduff, 20 Dylan Chessum, 21 Charlie Bemand, 22 Charlie Myall, 23 Wilf McCarthy.
Referee: Harry Walbaum.
