Newcastle welcome back Jimmy Gopperth for Friday's Aviva Premiership home opener, as they take on Wasps at Kingston Park.
Last season's domestic top points scorer returns in one of four changes for the Falcons, who also boast England Saxons scrum-half Micky Young.
Summer signings Redford Pennycook and Luke Fielden are both handed their first Aviva Premiership starts, as Will Welch and Alex Tait make way.
Scottish internationals Ally Hogg and Andy Henderson make their first home league outings for the Falcons since joining over the summer, with Luke Eves and Tim Ryan also making their home bows.
"We've got competition for places throughout the side now, and guys battling for positions," said Head Coach Alex Tait.
"The half-backs especially are an area where we have plenty of options. At scrum half Chris Pilgrim has worked incredibly hard all summer, and deserved his start at Sale last weekend.
"Micky Young was disappointed about being left out, he made that known to me but rather than whinge about it he just got out there in the second half and made an impact on the game when he came on. His attitude was spot on, and that's all you can ask.
"When guys aren't selected I wouldn't expect them to be happy about it, but what I do expect is that they channel it in the right way and support the lads who have been named in the starting XV, as Micky did. Chris and Micky are both good options for us, and then I thought Hall Charlton had a superb game on Monday night for the Development side which was another boost."
Having also changed his fly half, 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 fullback 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."
Meanwhile Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks made five changes to the starting line-up that secured a draw against local rivals Quins in last weekend's Twickenham showdown.
In the pack, Samoan international prop Zak Taulafo takes over from Phil Vickery who is ruled out of selection after sustaining an ankle injury on Saturday. New signing and 2008 England U20s Grand Slam winner James Cannon also comes into the side to make his debut. Cannon replaces the injured Birkett who is recovering from a hyperextension of the elbow. The final change amongst the forwards sees Dan Ward-Smith trade places with Joe Worsley on the bench to collect his first start of the season.
Two changes are made to the back-line as Dave Walder starts at fly-half and Riki Flutey moves to partner Ben Jacobs in midfield. Flutey replaces the injured Dom Waldouck who is recovering from a hand laceration.
On the bench Wasps name Charlie Beech, Steve Kefu and David Lemi. All three return to the side after recovery from injury. Beech, who picked up game time against Worthing in pre-season, recovers from an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for much of last season, whilst Kefu and Lemi return from a groin and hamstring complaint respectively.
"Whilst we were disappointed with the draw last weekend, we have taken a lot of positives from the game and will be eager to build on our performance tomorrow night," said Hanks.
"We did pick up a few injuries with Birkett, Waldouck and Vickery all ruled out this weekend, but the depth running throughout the squad this season still allows us to name a strong 23 man squad and have confidence going into the game. That is a reflection of some really positive recruitment this summer and shows the quality we have across all positions this year.
"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."
Form: Newcastle Falcons slipped up at Sale Sharks on Friday evening and have won just one of their last five Premiership matches. The Falcons have been victorious in only one Premiership match at Kingston Park since 1 November 2009: 25-13 over Gloucester on 31 March. London Wasps shared in a 58 point thriller to tie with Harlequins at Twickenham in the Aviva Premiership Rugby double header on Saturday. Wasps have won their last two away games, the most recent of which was also at Kingston Park! Newcastle's only victory in their last nine meetings with Wasps in all competitions was 12-6 at Adams Park in the Premiership on 3 January. The Londoners have a terrific recent record at Kingston Park, being victorious on their last five visits.
The teams:
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.
Date: Friday, September 10
Kick-off: 20:00
Venue: Kingston Park
Referee: J P Doyle
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