Tickets are now on sale for Newcastle Falcons’ pre-season friendly away at Sale Sharks on Saturday September 7.

The 7pm kick-off is being played at the Sharks’ former home ground of Heywood Road (post code M33 3WB), forming part of a double header on a day when Sale Sharks Women face Loughborough Lightning at 2pm.

Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for under-18s, and can be bought by clicking here.

The game marks 25 years of Sale being known as the Sharks, with Falcons director of rugby Steve Diamond having played in their inaugural match under the name.

“When the opportunity came up to play against a quality side like Sale Sharks at Heywood Road I was keen for us to take it up,” said the Newcastle boss.

“Playing away is always difficult and we’ll benefit from that experience, and it’s good for the Premiership’s two northern teams to build relationships and work together to sell tickets for when we play each other in the league.

“I’ve obviously got connections at Sale from having spent so long there, and it’ll be a good test for both sides.”

Diamond’s squad includes a host of ex-Sale players including fly-half Kieran Wilkinson (pictured above), with the Newcastle boss relishing the prospect of a northern derby.

He said: “It’s perhaps a bit unusual for two Premiership teams to play each other so close to the start of the new season, but with the timing of the URC starting a little earlier this year it meant there weren’t too many fixtures knocking around against top-flight teams.

“It’s a means to an end in the sense that we’re trying to get to a point where we understand what we’re doing in games, and it’ll be the same for Sale.

“There are no points riding on it but it’ll be a competitive fixture, and we’re looking forward to it.”

The Falcons’ other run-out prior to the new campaign comes on Friday September 13 when True North Origin sees two Newcastle teams squaring off against other in a 6pm kick-off at Kingston Park.

Tickets are on sale priced just £5 for adults and free for under-18s by clicking here.

Supporters can also buy match tickets for the first two home games of the Gallagher Premiership season against Bristol Bears (Friday September 20) and Leicester Tigers (Saturday October 5) by clicking here.