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Exeter lose Test stars as Newcastle are boosted by two of their own
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Scotland international Ben Healy will make his Newcastle Red Bulls debut on Friday in the Gallagher PREM just days after signing for the club on loan from Edinburgh.
The Irish-born fly-half has been named on the bench for Newcastle’s clash with Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park, as Stephen Jones’ side look to build on their narrow loss to league-leaders Northampton Saints last week.
Jones has been boosted by the return to action of his former Wasps team-mate Christian Wade, who has recovered from an ankle injury to start on the right wing.
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Wade is one of three changes to the starting XV that lost 28-27 at Franklin’s Gardens, with Rhys Beeckmans also starting in the midfield in Sammy Arnold’s place and Oscar Usher replacing Freddie Clarke in the second-row.
While Newcastle have been able to welcome international class to their squad, Exeter will be without some of their biggest names, with both Henry Slade and Dafydd Jenkins missing the match after starting in the 26-14 victory over Sale Sharks last week.
After an industrious Guinness Six Nations campaign for Wales, Jenkins has been rested this week, while Slade will miss the match for personal reasons. England U20 international Nick Lilley will start in the midfield, while the Newcastle-bound Rusi Tuima will start in the engine room.
Newcastle Red Bulls XV: 15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Rhys Beeckmans, 11 Harrison Obatoyinbo, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 George McGuigan (captain), 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Oscar Usher, 5 Adam Scott, 6 Reuben Parsons, 7 Tom Christie, 8 Ollie Leatherbarrow.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Connor Hancock, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Freddie Clarke, 20 Tom Gordon, 21 James Elliott, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Oli Spencer.
Exeter Chiefs XV: 15 Olly Woodburn, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 13 Nick Lilley, 12 Will Rigg, 11 Campbell Ridl, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Jack Yeandle (captain), 3 Jimmy Roots, 4 Rusi Tuima, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Ross Vintcent, 8 Greg Fisilau.
Replacements: 16 Julian Heaven, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 19 Lewis Pearson, 20 Finn Worley Brady, 21 Tom Cairns, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 Dan John.
