NEWCASTLE Falcons will be wary of a backlash when Northampton visit Kingston Park tomorrow following the Saints' run of eight Premiership defeats.

They have sacked South African coach Alan Solomons, who joined from Ulster in the summer, and flanker Corne Krige reacted by standing down as captain.

The former South Africa captain, very much a Solomons appointment, is not in the side to face the Falcons with former England fly half Paul Grayson taking over the reins.

Newcastle winger Tom May pointed out: "Northampton have just had a change of coaching set-up and the last time they did that they came up here and thumped us in their next game.

"They have some good backs like Grayson, Bruce Reihana and Mark Robinson, so we are not taking them for granted." May, 25, made his 100th Premiership appearance in last week's defeat at London Irish and has scored four tries in nine league starts this season.

"It has gone pretty well for me and I want to get my head down and work my way into the England set-up through my club form," he said. "There are a lot of good wingers around, but I am confident in my own ability."

Another player hoping for England recognition is lock Andy Buist, although his sights are currently on the Six Nations Under 21 Championship after Christmas, followed by the Under 21 World Cup in Argentina next summer.

After playing for the full 80 minutes in the home win against Leeds two weeks ago, Buist makes his second start tomorrow, this time alongside Luke Gross with Craig Hamilton on the bench.

Born in Hampshire, the 6ft 6in Buist went to the same school as Jonny Wilkinson, Lord Wandsworth College, until he was 16 when his dad was transferred to RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.

After finishing his education in Alnwick, Buist joined the Falcons' academy and is in his first year on the full-time staff.

"I like to run with the ball, but I have been getting involved with the pick-and-run game and the driving, which is making me a more all-round player," he said.

"At the start of the season I knew I needed to become a bit more physical and aggressive in games and training. We had a big 'bosh' session yesterday in training and I'm getting much more excited these days about defensive play, so I'm not afraid of big guys running at me hard.

"I realised I should be putting a bit of weight on and our fitness coach, Bob Morton, has made it his mission to make me stronger." As they reach the halfway stage in their Premiership programme, the Falcons are seeking their fifth win from 11 games against a side who are only one point off the bottom.

The break from league rugby could see Jonny Wilkinson return for the back-to-back Heineken Cup matches against Edinburgh at home next Sunday and at Murrayfield the following Saturday evening (5.30)

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