NEWCASTLE Falcons welcome a pair of double centurions to their side this weekend as they host Sale Sharks in Sunday’s Guinness Premiership opener, writes JACK PICKERING. Micky Ward makes his 200th competitive appearance for the club as he packs down at tight head prop, while winger Tom May reaches the same milestone in Falcons colours. They form part of a side captained by new club skipper Phil Dowson, who helped England Saxons to Churchill Cup glory over the summer. Also included is fly-half Toby Flood, with director of rugby John Fletcher benefiting from England’s decision not to call up the 22-year-old playmaker despite injuries to the Rugby World Cup squad out in France. “I am sympathetic to the England coach Brian Ashton, because he had to pick a squad of 30 on a certain day in August when Charlie Hodgson hadn’t proved his fitness, and when he had decided to take Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley in preference to Toby Flood,” said Fletcher. “It’s fairly obvious that both Charlie and Toby would be better options at fly-half than Andy Farrell, but it’s a case of the competition rules forcing the situation to develop rather than anything else. “What it does mean is that the supporters at Kingston Park on Sunday can see Flood and Hodgson going head to head in their club shirts, an exciting prospect.” With the big Guinness Premiership opener coming at the same time as the showpiece event in France, Fletcher said: “When you look at the quality of our four – Wilkinson, Hayman, Tait and Noon – it would be hard to argue that we haven’t been hit as hard as any other side in terms of their importance to our team. “But Toby is in a back line containing a World Cup winner in Matt Burke, an All Black in Mark Mayerhofler and they are surrounded by experienced Premiership players right throughout the backs.” TICKETS for the game are still available in advance by calling 0871 226 60 60, or from the Kingston Park ticket office for match-day cash sales. | 
