Preview: Worcester v Newcastle

Here's Jonny: Wilkinson will be back in black on Friday

Newcastle are boosted by the return of their big guns for the European Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Friday.

Centres Jamie Noon and Toby Flood both return from recent ankle injuries, while fly-half Jonny Wilkinson is back following concussion and England Saxons flanker Ben Woods returns from hand trouble.

In the pack, Andy Buist has shaken off a knee injury to take his place on the flank, while All Black prop Carl Hayman, club captain Phil Dowson and England full-back Mathew Tait are among the many returning to the XV.

With Steve Bates' starting line-up rested up and full of energy after missing last weekend's Premiership match at Sale Sharks, the Acting Director of Rugby is in confident mood.

"The boys are fresh and in reasonable shape, they have trained well all week and there is a very positive focus within the group," he said.

"This is a very important game in terms of reaching a European final, and this is a competition in which we have done well this season. We have had some good performances in this tournament, especially Brive away, and if we get to the final that would be a fantastic occasion for our supporters."

The European Challenge Cup is the Falcons' only remaining chance of silverware this season following an indifferent campaign that sees them currently lying tenth in the Guinness Premiership.

And Bates is keen to go one better than last season by making the final and hopefully bring the trophy to Kingston Park.

"We would have to win the tournament, not just reach the final, to say that this is a significant enough step in terms of fulfilling our potential," he added.

"Getting to the final would definitely be positive progress, but only if we win the whole thing could we say we have had a reasonable season, given how the league campaign has gone.

"As well as the obvious aim of winning a trophy, the main goal is Heineken Cup rugby for next season and all the benefits that brings to the club and the fans.

"It gives us a great chance to finish the season on a high, and while we understand this will be a tough fixture away from home, the application and focus of the squad this week has been excellent."

Worcester welcome centre Dale Rasmussen back into their side, having been out of action of late with concussion.

Skipper Pat Sanderson is named in the starting line-up after recovering from a dead leg that forced him off against Bath last weekend.

"The players are looking forward to the game and we hope home advantage and the backing of the Sixways crowd can fire us to a cup final," Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock said.

"When we played Newcastle earlier this season we felt we should have won up at Kingston Park in the league, we outscored them two tries to nil. The deadly boot of Jonny Wilkinson won the game for them on that occasion and we know our discipline will have to be top drawer on Friday.

"For the Warriors it has been a season of steady progress and recently we have shown some good form at Sixways to beat top four teams like Gloucester and Leicester Tigers. Hopefully we have shown the home faithful that we have Heineken Cup ambitions and against Newcastle we can get the result that we badly crave."

The Teams:

Worcester: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Drew Hickey, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tony Windo.

Replacements: 16 Shaun Ruwers, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Jonny Arr, 21 Joe Carlisle, 22 Rico Gear.

Newcastle: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Tom May, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Toby Flood, 11 John Rudd, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 James Grindal, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Ben Woods, 6 Andy Buist, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Andy Perry, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Micky Ward.

Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Jon Golding, 18 Geoff Parling, 19 Russell Winter, 20 Brent Wilson, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 Tim Visser.

Date: Friday April 25, 2008

Kick-off: 20:00 BST (21:00 GMT)

Venue: Sixways

Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)