Leicester and Newcastle

In amidst the hullabaloo of the Six Nations, we have a Live Zurich Premiership encounter to enjoy this Saturday, between Leicester and <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Newcastle on Sky Sports. The international tournament may have taken a week off, but the players have been released back to their clubs, and there will be far from a reserve atmosphere at Welford Road on Saturday, at least from a home perspective.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Four of Leicester's England starters against France last week are included in the match day 22, with Graham Rowntree and Martin Corry in the team, and Lewis Moody and Harry Ellis sitting on the bench. Lock Ben Kay is omitted by the form of Louis Deacon has been superb, and the same can be said for Scott Bemand who holds Ellis's number nine shirt. Martin Johnson captains as only he can, and Andy Goode can push his claims for a place in the England team with a good performance from fly half. One suspects that Andy Robinson will be paying particular attention to Goode's goal kicking after the debacle of Twickenham last Sunday. The Falcons began the season fantastically with convincing wins over Worcester and Bath, but then the injuries hit, and they have really not hit the heights since. Having said this, they do remain the Heineken Cup after topping their Pool, but the squad has been especially unfortunate with regard to the treatment table. Rob Andrew cannot risk Dave Walder who he leaves on the bench, and the fully unfit list is substantial, consisting of Andy Buist, Matthew Burke, Hall Charlton, Colin Charvis, Epi Taione, Jonny Wilkinson, Ed Williamson, David Wilson and Ben Woods. To compound this Jamie Noon is rested due to the rigour of back-to-back internationals, and the same is true of Scottish lock Stuart Grimes. We are forecasting a torrid afternoon for the Falcons. They were well thrashed by these opponents at home in October, by 15-44, and on their last away trip in this competition were well beaten by Saracens 13-32. Six or seven men who would normally make the first team cannot take part, and this is not a happy state in which to travel to Welford Road. It must be said that Mathew Tait does line up, but this will be his first outing since being humbled by Gavin Henson and Wales a fortnight ago. Lining up against him is one of his chief competitors for the England jersey, Ollie Smith and the wily old Tigers will no doubt be reserving some special attention for the 19 year old. The bookies have Leicester as heavy favourites, priced outright at around 1/25. This equates to a handicap of -18.5 points at 10/11. They have not lost in the league at home all season, and we see no way that Newcastle will upset the odds from around 8/1. Such is the depleted nature of their side that we are actually going to take Leicester to cover this handicap. They have the advantage in every part of the pitch and have not been lacking for cutting edge this term.