Published: Thursday, 13th November, 2008 11:00
Tane given start against Exiles
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TONGAN star Tane Tu'ipulotu will make his debut for the Newcastle Falcons when Toby Booth's London Irish side travel to Kingston Park on Sunday.
The 27-year old former Junior All Black has been named at inside centre in the team named by director of rugby Steve Bates at lunch time.
The Pacific Islander replaces Chris Noon, who is on England duty, while in the other changes to the Falcon team that lost by just one point to Gloucester in the EDF Energy Cup two weeks ago, Andy Long replaces Rob Vickers at hooker and an ankle injury seeing Rory Clegg come in for Rob Miller at fly half.
Speaking on the decision to start new boy Tu'ipulotu, director of rugby Steve Bates said: "Tane has been here two weeks now, and the initial impressions are all very good ones.
"I think people have to be patient because it will certainly take him time to get used to the Guinness Premiership and to playing with a totally new team, but that process starts this weekend.
"Before he even arrived in England he had downloaded and watched all of our games over the internet, so he's up to speed in that regard and aware of what game we are trying to play.
"What I have seen from him in training has backed up everything we thought when we were looking to sign him, and he has shown himself to be an extremely talented footballer. He links up well, brings other people in to play and I've been really impressed with his communication.
"Having that experience is important especially with a young fly half, and the partnership between him and Rory Clegg looks like being a good one based on what we have seen on the training field so far."
Meanwhile on the bench there are returns for fit-again trio David Wilson (pectoral), Ross Beattie (ankle) and Geoff Parling (cheekbone).
Newcastle Falcons team to face London Irish: 15 Steve Jones, 14 Danny Williams, 13 Tom May,12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 John Rudd, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Hall Charlton, 1 Jon Golding, 2 Andy Long, 3 Micky Ward, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Mark Sorenson, 6 Ed Williamson, 7 Brent Wilson, 8 Phil Dowson (captain)
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 David Wilson, 18 Ross Beattie, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Tom Dillon, 21 James Grindal, 22 Spencer Davey
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