Corne Uys returns for this Sunday’s LV= Cup clash with Sale Sharks at Kingston Park and starts at outside centre as the Tyneside outfit aim to get off to the perfect start under new director of rugby Gary Gold (kick-off 3.30pm).
Uys, who has been out of action with a groin injury sustained during the Falcons’ Boxing Day outing at Sale, will partner James Fitzpatrick at the heart of the North East backline.
The northeasterners’ make five further changes with Tongan international winger Suka Hufanga making a welcome return to action.
In the pack Grant Shiells starts at tight-head prop while Rob Vickers replaces Michael Mayhew at hooker.
Adriaan Fondse gets the nod in the engine room and features for the first time since the Falcons’ last Aviva Premiership outing at home to Exeter Chiefs.
Will Welch rounds off the changes with the home-grown academy product occupying the openside flanker berth.
Falcons fans will be delighted to see Jonny Golding amongst the replacements after been sidelined all season with an Achilles injury.
Meanwhile Samoan international Taiasina Tu’ifua, Will Chudley and Tom Bedford have a place on the bench.
Gold and new defence coach Mike Ford made the trip to Lyon last week and were keen observers at the Matmut Stadium.
Former South Africa assistant coach Gold said: “Sale will be a good test for the boys as we continue our preparations for the return of the Aviva Premiership.
“It is important that we put in a good performance and get the victory as winning breeds confidence. You look at a number of key performance indicators and that gives you an idea of where the team are at in terms of those micro-details.
“You want to improve all of them, but if you focus on the most important ones straightaway then theory is that the scoreboard will look after itself.”
Ex England defence coach Ford joins Gold on Tyneside with the task of tightening up the leakiest rearguard in the Premiership.
“Mike has a wealth of experience and he is a great addition to our existing coaching team,” said Gold.
He added: “I am hoping that there will be a few subtle differences in how we defend. Unfortunately we have leaked over 300 points in our 13 Aviva Premiership games, averaging three tries conceded per match.
“If we are to even think about giving ourselves a chance then we have to improve on that, and we just have to follow the process.
“It will be fantastic if that can make a difference on the scoreboard sooner rather than later, but I am confident in the processes we have put in place.”
Following the match Falcons TV will bring you post-match reaction with Gold, Ford and the man-of-the-match.
Tickets are still available for Sunday’s game by calling the Falcons Ticket Hotline on 0871 226 6060 or click here to purchase online.
Newcastle: 15 Jimmy Gopperth, 14 Ryan Shortland, 13 Corne Uys, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Suka Hufanga, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Chris Pilgrim, 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Rob Vickers, 3 James Hall, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Adriaan Fondse, 6 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 8 Mark Wilson
Replacements: 16 Michael Mayhew, 17 Jonny Golding, 18 Ashley Wells, 19 Richard Boyle, 20 Taiasina Tu’ifua, 21 Richard Mayhew, 22 Will Chudley, 23 Tom Bedford
