Sarries ring changes for Falcons trip

3:00pm Friday 15th February 2008

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SARACENS boss Alan Gaffney has tweaked his side's midfield for the third game running with Andy Farrell partnering Rodd Penney for Sunday's Guinness Premiership match with Newcastle Falcons.

The England centre has recovered from a popped rib he suffered alongside Adam Powell in the victory over Bath three weeks ago and brings some much-needed leadership and steel into the backs division, which continues to be beset by injuries.

Penney, who lined up alongside Powell against Worcester, has not played with Farrell in the centre since April last year but is Gaffney's only sensible choice at 13 while Kevin Sorrell recovers from an ankle injury.

Fullback Brent Russell misses out on his 10th consecutive start due to a minor thigh problem with his place handed to Richard Haughton. Skipper Neil de Kock replaces Alan Dickens after recovering from a hamstring strain while Kameli Ratuvou is restored to the wing following a two week break in his native Fiji.

In the forwards, Nick Lloyd is rested having picked up a minor knock, meaning a recall for the ousted Kevin Yates. The England loosehead prop has not been involved in the matchday 22 since he started in the home defeat to Newcastle at the end of December and will be keen to make an impression.

Cencus Johnston replaces Cobus Visagie on the other side of the front row after a deserved rest, Richard Hill makes way for David Seymour while Paul Gustard is given a chance at blindside flanker against his hometown club.

Newcastle, meanwhile, welcome back all ten of their England and Saxons players - Six Nations stars Jonny Wilkinson, Toby Flood, Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait and Saxons sextet Phil Dowson, Ben Woods, Lee Dickson, Andy Long, John Rudd and Jon Golding.

Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher said: "Saracens are a proper rugby team - big pack, good ball carriers, ambition, the ability to move the ball around and they have one of the best players in the Guinness Premiership in Glen Jackson. We know it will be a tough game and we've prepared accordingly."

Saracens: Haughton, Leonelli, Penney, Farrell, Ratuvou, Jackson, de Kock (cpt); Yates, Ongaro, Johnston, Jack, Vyvyan, Gustard, Seymour, Skirving.

Replacements: Kyriacou, Mercey, Ryder, Chesney, Dickens, Powell, Thrower.