The Falcons have won all 20 of their games this season including three victories over this weekend’s hosts, director of rugby Dean Richards making 12 changes from the side which defeated London Scottish 28-5 in last Saturday’s Championship Cup quarter-final.

Adam Radwan, Toby Flood and Trevor Davison are the three to keep their places, South African forward Philip van der Walt making his first league appearance for the Falcons following a recent calf injury.

Gary Graham misses out after damaging his thumb last weekend while Nemani Nagusa has remained on Tyneside to be with his wife following the birth of their son on Thursday, Newcastle’s efforts set to be aided by the presence of a large travelling support for the 3pm kick-off.

Richards said: “We knew from the outset that Jersey away would be one of the hardest games of our season.

“London Irish lost there last season, the pitch and the high winds will play a big part and Jersey are a good side.

“We just can’t afford to take our foot off the gas for a single second, and it’s one of these must-win games which can really help define our season. We’ve got to go out there and nail it, and not take our eye off the ball.

“Jersey are a good team whose scrum has held up pretty well for the most part this season, their line-out is strong and they play in a slightly different way to other teams. They’re a side who will cause us problems if we allow them to, and the big focus for us is to impose ourselves on them, play the game in the right areas and come away with the win.”

Highlighting the collective nature of Newcastle’s success this season, the director of rugby said: “We don’t have many superstars within the team but we’ve got a good percentage of local players, and a really united mentality. They enjoy each other’s company, they celebrate together and it’s a case of a real squad mind-set rather than a group of individuals.

“Even when someone scores a few tries which might look spectacular on the highlights reel they understand that they’re getting those opportunities through the hard work of their team-mates, and that’s been one of the most pleasing things about this season.

“You’ve got to win the lineout, the scrum and the two or three rucks to create the opportunity for someone to make a break, and that’s what makes rugby the ultimate team sport. The beauty for us is that the boys all understand that, and no matter who’s scoring the tries they all take it as a collective achievement.

“That unity is absolutely central to everything we’re doing at the moment, and as a director of rugby that’s what you want to see.”

Looking forward to the atmosphere created by the large travelling contingent, Richards added: “Our supporters are absolutely tremendous, and they really do cover a lot of miles to get behind the lads.

“That number has grown significantly this week with a lot of people travelling to Jersey, and hopefully we can reward their support with a big performance.”

**Newcastle Falcons team to face Jersey Reds (Saturday, 3pm, Stade Santander International)**

15 Tom Arscott

14 Adam Radwan

13 Johnny Williams

12 Toby Flood

11 Sinoti Sinoti

10 Brett Connon

9 Michael Young (co-captain)

1 Trevor Davison

2 George Mcguigan (co-captain)

3 Logovi’i Mulipola

4 Greg Peterson

5 Sean Robinson

6 Will Welch

7 John Hardie

8 Philip van Der Walt

**Replacements**

16 Jamie Blamire

17 Adam Brocklebank

18 Rodney Ah You

19 Toby Salmon

20 Callum Chick

21 Sam Stuart

22 Gareth Owen

23 Ben Stevenson

**Jersey Reds**

15 Tom Williams

14 Auguy Slowik

13 George Spencer

12 Brendan Cope

11 Leroy Van Dam

10 Aaron Penberthy

9 Will Homer

1 Dan Richardson

2 TJ Harris

3 Leeroy Atalifo

4 Kyle Hatherell

5 Rory Bartle

6 Conor Joyce

7 Josh Bainbridge (captain)

8 Max Argyle

**Replacements**

16 Beck Cutting

17 Roy Godfrey

18 Alec Clarey

19 Liam Hallam-Eames

20 Jake Upfield

21 Luc Jones

22 Arwel Robson

23 Janco Venter

**Referee:** Karl Dickson