Scotland back rower Ally Hogg captains Edinburgh at Kingston Park in Friday's pre-season friendly (kick-off 7.45pm).

Edinburgh coach Rob Moffat said: “The Harlequins game last week was a good test for us physically, and this warm-up match at Newcastle will be exactly the same.

“This will be ideal preparation for us ahead of the opening game of the Magners League at Cardiff because they are also a very physical side.

“We will look to improve upon the areas of our game which were not up to scratch last week, although I thought there were a lot of positives to take from the Harlequins match.”

Edinburgh have selected four former Newcastle players in the 26-man squad who will travel on Thursday evening – Craig Hamilton, Steve Jones, Ross Samson and Tim Visser – with the latter three all swapping Falcons for the Capital in the summer.

Tickets for Friday's game are still available on 0871 226 60 60.

Edinburgh squad:

Forwards: Allan Jacobsen, Kyle Traynor, Andrew Kelly, Sean Crombie, Davie Young, Ryan Grant, Geoff Cross, Scott MacLeod, Craig Hamilton, Steve Turnbull, Neale Patrick* (Boroughmuir), Fraser McKenzie, Roddy Grant, Chris Fusaro* (Heriot’s), Alan MacDonald, Allister Hogg (captain).

Backs: Steve Jones, Andrew Turnbull, Tim Visser, Mark Robertson, Ben Cairns, John Houston, Andrew Easson, Rory Hutton* (Heriot’s), Greig Laidlaw, Ross Samson.

* denotes National Academy player