Tykes Confident

By Ridley
September 27 2002

Leeds have named the side to take on Falcons on Sunday in what will be a crucial match for us. We've lost to top opposition in recent weeks - and normally Tykes would offer a bit of a respite. But this season they're unbeaten after four games and fancying their chances.

Coach Phil Davies says: "Newcastle have had a tough start to the season but they are a different side at Kingston Park. They have been very unlucky with injuries at the start of the season after losing some of the experienced heads but I am sure they will come out the other side stronger for it. In Jonny Wilkinson they have a player who is rightly regarded as one of the most talented footballers in the world and, as the captain, I'm sure he will be someone who will be a major threat to us on Sunday. They beat us three times last season although they were competitive games and I expect Sunday to be no different.

Davies makes only one change to the side that drew with the Sharks last week with back row Dan Hyde returning after serving a one week suspension for a third yellow card. Carl Hogg remains on the bench with another former West Hartlepool player,James Ponton, missing out.

Tykes: 15. Dan Scarbrough 14. George Harder 13. Tristan Davies 12. Braam van Straaten 11. Diego Albanese 10. Gordon Ross 9. Derek Hegarty 1. Mike Shelley (c) 2. Mark Regan 3. Gavin Kerr 4. Chris Murphy 5. Tom Palmer 6. Cameron Mather 7. Dan Hyde 8. Isaac Feaunati

Replacements 16. Matt Holt 17. Rob Rawlinson 18. Stewart Campbell 19. Carl Hogg 20. Alan Dickens 21. Craig Emmerson 22. Chris Hall