Newcastle v Wasps: Teams

Newcastle will be buoyed by the return of leading scorer Jimmy Gopperth for the visit of Wasps on Friday.

New Zealander Gopperth weighed in with 219 of Newcastle's 319 points in the Premiership last season.

And after starting the opening day defeat to Sale on the bench, Gopperth has been restored to the starting XV in place of Jeremy Manning.

In total head coach Alan Tait has made four changes to his line up, with summer signings Redford Pennycook and Luke Fielden making their starting debuts, while Micky Young gets the nod at scrum-half.

Chris Pilgrim, Will Welch and Alex Tait all make way and join Manning among the replacements.

Tait said: "Jeremy Manning has come in and looks a class act, but he picked up a tight hamstring at Sale and we decided as a precaution to take him off at half time.

"Jimmy Gopperth came on, had a decent impact and again it boils down to competition for places. It's the same at full-back with Luke Fielden and at openside with Red Pennycook.

"There are quality options here battling for shirts, and it's a big opportunity for us against Wasps."

Pleased

Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks will hand a debut to former England Under-20s lock James Cannon on Friday.

Cannon joined Wasps from Northampton in the summer - and he comes into starting XV in place of the injured Richard Birkett.

The inclusion of Cannon is one of five changes from the side that drew 29-29 with Harlequins, with Samoa prop Zak Taulafo and England flanker Dan Ward-Smith added to the pack.

In the backs, Dave Walder takes over the reins at No.10, with Riki Flutey moving across to replace the sidelined Dom Waldouck in midfield.

On the bench, Charlie Beech, Steve Kefu and David Lemi have all recovered from injury.

Hanks said: "We are pleased to see James Cannon make his debut, he has worked very hard and shown his quality in the pre-season.

"It is also a boost to welcome Beech, Kefu and Lemi back to the line up after recovery from injury.

"Newcastle are familiar opponents having faced them in both the Premiership and LV= Cup last season. These fixtures are always highly competitive and with both teams looking to secure early competition points it will be a big game for both clubs."

Newcastle: 15 Luke Fielden, 14 Gcobani Bobo, 13 Luke Eves, 12 Andy Henderson, 11 Charlie Amesbury, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Brent Wilson, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson (capt), 3 Tim Ryan, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Kieran Brookes, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Glen Townson, 20 Will Welch, 21 Chris Pilgrim, 22 Jeremy Manning, 23 Alex Tait.

Wasps: 15 Mark Van Gisbergen, 14 Richard Haughton, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Dave Walder, 9 Nic Berry, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Tom Rees (capt), 6 Dan Ward-Smith, 5 James Cannon, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Zak Taulafo, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Ben Broster, 19 Serge Betsen, 20 Joe Worsley, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Steve Kefu, 23 David Lemi.