By Aidanb
December 31 2021

Mike Brown makes his 250th Gallagher Premiership appearance on Sunday when Newcastle Falcons travel to Leicester Tigers. The full-back will become only the sixth player in the league’s history to reach the milestone, having been denied the opportunity on Boxing Day following the cancellation of the Falcons’ scheduled match against Sale Sharks. He forms part of a side which sees a first appearance of the season for Matias Orlando, the vastly-experienced Argentina centre who has recovered from a groin injury.

Fellow Puma Mateo Carreras is also back in the team having scored tries for his country against France and Ireland during the November internationals, joining a back-line which sees the return of Joel Hodgson at fly-half.

Charlie Maddison makes a first appearance of the season at hooker against the unbeaten league leaders, Will Welch returning to captain a side whose last game came all the way back on December 10 – a 31-26 EPCR Challenge Cup win over Worcester Warriors.

Speaking ahead of the game, defence coach Nick Easter said: “Nobody outside of our group will be expecting us to get a result, but I can assure you the expectation within the club is really strong that we can go down there and get the win.

“Discipline will be a big focus for us. We’re away from home, and there’ll be a big Welford Road crowd in. 

“The physicality that Leicester bring – our boys have been watching that and will be absolutely buzzing at the opportunity of going down there in a cauldron of an atmosphere and getting into a proper battle.

read the rest and see the official team list here.