In the pack Andy Perry takes the place of quadricep injury victim Jason Oakes in the second row, while Geoff Parling replaces Andy Buist at blindside flanker.

On the bench there is a return for England Saxons No.8 Phil Dowson after five months out with a ruptured bicep tendon. Dowson made a scoring return for the Falcons Development Team on Monday, and joins a bench including Samoan international back Loki Crichton.

Having lost out narrowly to tournament favourites Clermont Auvergne in last weekend’s European Challenge Cup quarter-final, director of rugby John Fletcher said: “I was bitterly disappointing because I fancied us to turn them over, but we have to move on because we have a hugely important game this Sunday.

“We’re aiming for seventh place in the Premiership, and with three good wins we believe that is achievable. Seventh would give us a good shout of Heineken Cup rugby next season if there is to be a competition, so that is very much where our mind is at right now.”

Saints go in to the game on the back of last weekend’s Heineken Cup victory at French side Biarritz, with Fletcher saying of his former club: “It shows just what a good team Northampton are, and we aren’t taking too much notice of their league position because I don’t feel it’s a fair reflection of the quality they have in their side.

“It says a lot for the standard of the Guinness Premiership that the bottom-of-the-league side can reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals, and anyone can beat anyone regardless of league position as we’ve seen ourselves this season. They are a good side with some world class players, so it will be a tough match whatever happens.”

Explaining the four changes to his side for the Easter Sunday clash, Fletcher said: “Jason Oakes is carrying a bit of an injury so he hasn’t been considered, while Andy Buist is very unlucky to miss out after giving a good account of himself last week in France. I felt that Geoff Parling just offers us a bit more of a line out option for this game, which could be an important factor against a good Northampton pack.

“James Grindal got a knock and went off at half time, allowing Lee Dickson to come on and have a very strong 40 minutes, then the only other change is on the wing. I feel Tom May offers something to the team and John Rudd also does, but on this occasion I’ve decided to start with Tom and use Ruddy from the bench.

“John has been in to see me about that because he wasn’t too happy, and I like that in a player because it shows how much it means to him. He will have his part to play from the bench, and I look forward to seeing his impact as the game goes on. He had a smashing match in Clermont, marking one of the most dangerous wings in world rugby virtually out of the game in Aurelien Rougerie, so he is still a valuable part of what is now a squad game.”

Fletcher also welcomes back England Saxons star Phil Dowson from long-term injury, stating: “It’s great to have him back in the 22 because he is a top player and a great character.

“At the start of the season before his injury he was undoubtedly our form forward, and his comeback match for the second team on Monday was fiery to say the least. He is a good leader and a very tough player, so we’re just delighted that he’s with us now for a big run-in.”

With much focus on the terraces and the media about the dreaded ‘R’ word, asked whether the squad had been discussing relegation Fletcher insisted: “I don’t know if the players talk about it, but they don’t talk to me about it and I don’t talk to them about it.

“We’d be foolish not to understand where we are and the possible permutations, but as players why would you want to talk about something negative? It just doesn’t make any sense. We have three big home games between now and the end of the season, so the focus is on finishing as high up the table as we can, starting with Sunday.

“The target is to win on Sunday, as it is for every match.

“There is a little bit more spice with the match being at home and the expectations of the supporters, but we’ve prepared the same for this week as we would do for any other game. If we are ourselves on the day, play to our strengths and understand the game plan then we are confident we can get the right result, but we know it will be a tough match.”

West Stand seats for the game have already sold out, with over 7,500 tickets having sold in total. To book call 0871 226 60 60 or pop to Kingston Park during office hours and on the night.

Newcastle Falcons team to face Northampton Saints:

15 Matthew Burke (captain)
14 Tom May
13 Mathew Tait
12 Jamie Noon
11 Toby Flood
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9 Lee Dickson

1 Joe McDonnell
2 Matt Thompson
3 Micky Ward
4 Mark Sorenson
5 Andy Perry
6 Geoff Parling
7 Ben Woods
8 Brent Wilson

Replacements:

Jon Golding
Andy Long
Andy Buist
Phil Dowson
John Rudd
James Grindal
Loki Crichton