Newcastle Falcons have made four changes to their starting XV as they prepare for Friday night’s Zurich Premiership trip to Edgeley Park, where they take on second-placed Sale Sharks (kick-off 7.45pm).

Openside flanker Cory Harris is given a debut after joining the club this week, while Wales vice-captain Colin Charvis is away on international duty.

Fit-again hooker Andy Long returns after a hamstring injury, as Matt Thompson drops to the bench, while Micky Ward replaces Marius Hurter at tight head prop, after the South African picked up a groin injury.

James Grindal starts at scrum half in place of Hall Charlton, in a side captained by loose head prop Ian Peel.

Scottish lock Craig Hamiton starts despite suffering from a flu bug earlier in the week, while Mark Mayerhofler (fibula), Jonny Wilkinson (bicep), Joe Shaw (ankle), Luke Gross (suspended), David Wilson (knee), Stuart Mackie (shoulder) and Ben Woods (leg) are all unavailable for selection.

A capacity 10,500 crowd awaits the teams for what is a rematch of last April’s dramatic Powergen Cup final, and the Falcons go into the game on the back of two impressive Heineken Cup wins at Newport Gwent Dragons and at home to Perpignan.

Newcastle Falcons team to face Sale Sharks:

15 Matthew Burke
14 Tom May
13 Mathew Tait
12 Jamie Noon
11 Michael Stephenson
10 Dave Walder
9 James Grindal

1 Ian Peel (captain)
2 Andy Long
3 Micky Ward
4 Craig Hamilton
5 Stuart Grimes
6 Mike McCarthy
7 Cory Harris
8 Phil Dowson

Replacements:

16 James Isaacson
17 Matt Thompson
18 Andy Buist
19 Semo Sititi
20 Mark Wilkinson
21 Hall Charlton
22 Epi Taione