Murray McCallum returns for Newcastle Falcons on Friday when they host Gallagher Premiership champions Northampton Saints.

The Scottish prop (pictured) comes in as one of two changes from the side which was narrowly beaten in controversial circumstances at Exeter Chiefs last time out.

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Sam Stuart returns at scrum-half as a hamstring strain sidelines Joe Davis, while there could be a Premiership debut for 20-year-old lock-forward Finn Baker.

Max Pepper returns to the bench after missing the last two months through injury, with Sammy Arnold also back in the match-day 23 having recovered from a head knock.

Director of rugby Steve Diamond said: “Northampton have got the England half-back pairing and like to play at a high tempo, so we’ll have to be on it right from the start and put time in the tackle.

“I thought we played well for the most part down at Exeter, and there were loads of positives we can take from that game despite having lost right at the end in such frustrating circumstances. We’ve had a couple of weeks since then to lick our wounds, and there’s a real buzz around the place going into a bank holiday fixture which will hopefully attract a decent crowd.”

Diamond will be among those in the stands following the six-game ban he received for comments made to the officials in the aftermath of his side’s late defeat at Exeter.

“I shouldn’t have said what I did, I’ve apologised to the people concerned and rightly been banned as a result of my actions,” said the Falcons boss.

“I was frustrated because the officials had missed a clear act of foul play in the lead-up to the last-minute winner which led to one of our players being concussed after being elbowed in the face, and it wasn’t even reviewed by the TMO. But it’s important to respect the officials, and I can’t use industrial language like I did on that occasion. I have to set a better example, and I totally accept that.

“I’m fortunate to have a great coaching team around me who will run the operation seamlessly on the night, and I know the lads will give it their all.

“With the TNT Sports cameras coming up here it’s a big opportunity for us to put the club in the shop window in a really positive fashion, and it should be a great test against a Northampton side who have earned themselves a European semi-final over the past couple of weeks.”

Tickets for Friday’s game are still on sale by clicking here.

Newcastle Falcons team v Northampton Saints (Friday, 7.45pm, Kingston Park, live on TNT Sports)

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Alex Hearle, 13 Connor Doherty, 12 Max Clark, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Murray McCallum, 4 John Hawkins, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Cameron Neild, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Micky Rewcastle, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Finn Baker, 20 Ollie Leatherbarrow, 21 Max Pepper, 22 Sammy Arnold, 23 Oli Spencer.

Not available for selection: Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, Joe Davis, Tom Gordon, John Kelly, Kiran McDonald, Jacob Oliver, Philip van der Walt.

Northampton Saints: 15 James Ramm, 14 Tom Litchfield, 13 Burger Odendaal (captain), 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Seabrook, 10 Charlie Savala, 9 Tom James; 1 Tom West, 2 Craig Wright, 3 Luke Green, 4 Chunya Munga, 5 Tom Lockett, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Iakopo Mapu.

Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Will Glister.

Referee: Luke Pearce.