No place for Wilkinson as Charvis returns to the Falcons' lair

Nov 2 2007 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

NEWCASTLE Falcons boss John Fletcher has insisted Dragons captain Colin Charvis has nothing to prove when he returns to the north-east tomorrow for the EDF Energy Cup clash.

Charvis spent two seasons at Kingston Park before linking up with the Gwent region last season.

“I don’t think Charv has a point to prove to anyone here,” said Fletcher.

“He was an outstanding servant for the Falcons, he was made club captain and he was a very popular member of our squad.

“Charv is a good person, a fine character and a lot of the boys still keep in touch with him.”

Fletcher has made just two changes for tomorrow’s clash, including the return of World Cup hero Mathew Tait.

The 21-year-old England star comes in to the team at outside centre in place of Tim Visser, with the only other change to the side coming at scrum half as Lee Dickson replaces Hall Charlton.

Fletcher resisted the urge to select Tait at fullback in the injury-enforced absence of Matthew Burke with Tom May taking over the number 15 jersey.

Toby Flood keeps the outside-half jersey with Jonny Wilkinson resting for another week.

Charvis leads a Dragons side with nine changes from the side which drew 3-3 with Wasps last Friday.

Newcastle Falcons:T May; O Phillips; M Tait, S Jones; J Rudd, T Flood, L Dickson; J McDonnell (captain), M Thompson, D Wilson, A Perry, M Sorenson, G Parling, B Wilson, R Winter. Replacements: A Long, J Golding, J Oakes, E Williamson, H Charlton, T Visser, A Tait

Dragons: M Thomas; P Emerick, R Gomer-Davies, G Maule, R Mustoe; A Thomas, A Williams; H Gustafson, Daly, R Thomas, A Hall, P Sidoli, J Bearman, C Charvis (capt), M Owen. Replacements: K Crawford, A Black, J Corsi, L Evans, R Parks, C Sweeney, W Evans.

NEW Zealand All Black back row forward Marty Holah has arrived in Wales and is set to be named among the replacements for the Ospreys’ EDF Energy Cup clash against London Irish at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday.

The 36-times capped New Zealander has signed a three-year contract with the region and is available to make his first appearance for his new Welsh region at the weekend.

“I am delighted to welcome Marty to the Ospreys and it’s planned that he will slot straight into the squad for this week’s fixture against London Irish,” said Ospreys coach Lyn Jones.

“We showed great form against Worcester last weekend and we will be looking for more of the same this week.

“Having a player such as Marty join the squad should help us to maintain the momentum.”