McGuigan has been named co-captain for the 2019-20 season but has missed the early part of the campaign after undergoing scheduled knee surgery during the summer.

He skippers a side continuing their series of friendly matches against the new Scottish Super6 sides, the Falcons XV having already defeated Heriot’s home and away.

Samoan Rugby World Cup star Logovi’i Mulipola returns to club action with a place on the bench, Saturday’s 4.30pm kick-off seeing free entry for all supporters from 2.50pm onwards.

Prior to that Newcastle Falcons host Jersey Reds in a 1pm Championship kick-off, with tickets for that game available by [**clicking here**][1].

Supporters with a valid Falcons v Jersey ticket are entitled to watch the Rugby World Cup final in Kingston Park’s West Stand concourse bar, which opens at 8am for the 9am kick-off. A full bar service will be in operation, with the ticket office open from 7.30am.

**Newcastle Falcons XV v Stirling County (Saturday, 4.30pm, Kingston Park Stadium)**

15 Tim Swiel

14 Will Haydon-Wood

13 Dominic Waldouck

12 Joel Matavesi

11 Morgan Passman

10 Brett Connon

9 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti

1 Sam Lockwood

2 George McGuigan (captain)

3 Mike Daniels

4 Rob Farrar

5 Bailey Ransom

6 Josh Basham

7 Guy Graham

8 Freddie Lockwood

**Replacements**

16 Conrad Cade

17 Oscar Caudle

18 Logovi’i Mulipola

19 Jamie Adamson (Durham University)

20 James Magee (Yorkshire Carnegie)

21 Charlie Wilson

22 Callum Young (Jedforest)

[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Event/Index/1485