High flying Newcastle Falcons travel to London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership

After a break of a couple of weeks it is back to more action from the Gallagher Premiership this weekend at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday when London Irish take on high flying Newcastle Falcons.

Irish start the day in tenth position, having picked up ten points but with only one win so far this season. The Falcons are in a much better state of health and currently sit in second place behind Bristol bears with an impressive 20 points, with five wins and only one loss so far this season.

In the Exiles last Premiership action they had to come from behind to claim a 27-27 draw against their near neighbours Harlequins at the Stoop.

Newcastle had a comfortable 22-10 victory over Gloucester at Kingston Park two weeks ago to maintain their Premiership challenge.

In the last six games Irish have won three against Leicester and Agen and Pau in Europe. Newcastle have suffered just two defeats in their last six matches in all competitions, with victory over Gloucester, Wasps and Sale in the Premiership and Castres in Europe.

London Irish’s problems this season have been in attack where they have only scored seven tries in their six matches in the Premiership. However, the defence from the exiles has been outstanding thus far with only six tries conceded by Irish.

Newcastle so far have crossed the white line on 14 occasions with the opposition scoring only 11 tries against them in six matches.

London Irish haven’t won in the Premiership since beating Leicester at their new home on 29^th November.

Falcons only defeat since Cardiff Blues beat them at Kingston Park in mid-December was at Bristol when they went down to a 29-17 loss in Round 5.

Newcastle have won their last three encounters against London Irish since the Exiles 20-15 victory in January 2016.

Rob Simmons will make his first start for London Irish, having made his debut from the replacements bench against Harlequins.

Newcastle Falcons have scrum half Louis Schreuder available to make his first start for the North East side on Sunday. The three time Currie Cup winner has been capped by South Africa, and steps into the side after making four appearances from the bench.

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