Team news: Mark Wilson back for Boxing Day

  Team news: Mark Wilson back for Boxing Day Friday 24 December 2021 Newcastle Falcons captain Mark Wilson is set to make his first appearance of the season on Boxing Day, having been named on the bench for their Gallagher Premiership home game against Sale Sharks. The Rugby World Cup finalist has missed the entire season so far with a knee injury, and forms part of a squad which will see full-back Mike Brown making his 250th Gallagher Premiership appearance.

Centre George Wacokecoke returns from an eye-socket injury, while scrum-half Sam Stuart is set for a first outing of the season after recovering from a broken foot.

Despite having won their last four home games against the Sharks in Gallagher Premiership action, director of rugby Dean Richards is expecting an attritional contest against the Falcons’ northern rivals.

He said: “Sale are a side which will play in the predominantly South African way.

“They’ll exit off their nine and use their huge pack, so if we go too expansive then it might play into their hands a little bit.

“It’s about understanding where to play the game, how to break them down and when to strike. That’s the important thing against a side like Sale, and they’re a good team.

“They’ve got a lot of quality within their group, they’ll come here fired-up for the occasion and ready to play their part in a big Boxing Day game which is normally full of blood and thunder.

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