Far North Challenge

If you've got to go to  Kingston Park a "balmy" April night is probably the best time to do it. The all weather pitch and floodlights should make it quite an occasion ...

Once upon a time this was one of the easier fixtures. However, Dean Richards has turned things round and Falcons were doing well in mid-table until Quins ran up a big score against them last time out.

As a result we've leapfrogged them - sitting in 8th place with a four point gap over the Northumbrians.

So with four games to go we find ourselves seven points off that important sixth place. As a result a five pint return would be very welcome - it won't be easy.

There are four changes for the Cherry and Whites with Billy Twelvetrees continuing at stand off as Billy Burns is still injured. Mark Atkinson comes in at centre and up front  Motu Matu'u makes his first league start of the season with  Hibbard on the bench. John Afoa comes in at tight-head.

Jeremy Thrush is also injured so  Mariano Galarza will be at lock.

Gloucs: 15. Tom Marshall, 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Jonny May, 10. Billy Twelvetrees, 9. Willi Heinz (c); 1. Paddy McAllister, 2. Motu Matu'u, 3. John Afoa; 4. Tom Savage, 5. Mariano Galarza; 6. Ross Moriarty, 7. Jacob Rowan, 8. Ben Morgan

Reps: 16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Josh Hohneck; 19. Tom Denton, 20. Lewis Ludlow; 21. Callum Braley, 22. Lloyd Evans, 23. Henry Purdy

Newcastle: 15. Alex Tait, 14. Vereniki Goneva, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Juan Pablo Socino, 11. Marcus Watson; 10. Mike Delany, 9. Michael Young; 1. Rob Vickers, 2. Scott Lawson, 3. David Wilson; 4. Calum Green, 5. Evan Olmstead; 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Will Welch (capt), 8. Ally Hogg.

Reps: 16. Scott Lawson; 17. Ben Harris, 18. Jon Welsh; 19. Will Witty, 20. Callum Chick; 21. Sonatane Takulua, 21. Joel Hodgson, 22. Sinoti Sinoti