Fringe men given a chance to shine

Jan 28 2010 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

STEVE Bates will offer his Newcastle Falcons fringe stars two weeks to prove their Premiership worth, starting at Cardiff on Sunday.

Admitting chances of an Anglo-Welsh Cup glory march are highly unlikely, Falcons rugby director Bates said the next two matches – at Cardiff and then at home to Wasps – give as much chance for youngsters to make a mark as it does those senior men lacking recent starts.

Whether out of favour or returning from injury, a number of established stars will get their chance then, before Newcastle return to Guinness Premiership action against Northampton Saints on Saturday, February 13.

Given the idiosyncratic group stage set-up this season, Cardiff and Newcastle operate in different pools – and both teams are bottom of their respective group.

With two games apiece to go, neither side has much if any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages, but Falcons boss Bates knows his men still have plenty to play for.

The likes of Adam Balding and Ed Williamson have both battled the odd injury while fighting for starting berths in Bates’ first-choice XV, so they can be expected to be involved at Cardiff City Stadium this weekend.

“We’ve got some players involved this weekend who have got a lot to play for so we’ll be taking it very seriously,” said Bates.