Preview: Harlequins v Newcastle

Newcastle have made sweeping changes to their line-up for Saturday's Aviva Premiership match against Harlequins at the Stoop.

Newcastle coach Alan Tait has made sweeping changes to his line-up for Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash with Harlequins at the Stoop.

Tait's decision comes on the back of an embarrassing home defeat by London Irish last week, with the Falcons calling in Will Welch, Luke Fielden, Jeremy Manning, Chris Pilgrim, Robert Vickerman and Grant Shiells.

Manning takes the place of Alex Tait at full-back, whilst Chris Pilgrim comes in for Micky Young, Luke Fielden is in for Gcobani Bobo and rounding of a much changed back line, Rob Vickerman is in for Luke Eves.

The forwards did not escape the axe with Grant Shiells, making his first start of the term, and Will Welch replacing Jon Golding and Brent Wilson.

On the bench we have last week's starters Jon Golding, Micky Young, Luke Eves and Alex Tait. They are joined by Mark Wilson, Joe Graham, Kieran Brookes and Glen Townson.

With the disappointment of last week behind them the Falcons are looking to return to winning ways and Alan Tait feels he has the team that can do it.

Meanwhile, Quins head into the fixture buoyed by last Saturday's victory over Exeter Chiefs. In front of a jubilant home crowd, it was a much-needed boost for the London side and one which not only took them up into mid-table territory, but also got the team back to winning ways.

With Saturday's game being the last before the Amlin Challenge Cup kicks off, and the English clubs take a break from Aviva Premiership Rugby, Quins will be keen to come away on Saturday with a good result and a strong table position.

Conor O'Shea has made only one change to the side that ran out at the Stoop last Saturday. Tom Williams returns from a one match injury absence, to replace 19-year-old Ross Chisholm on the bench.

Joe Marler, Matt Cairns and James Johnston link together once again in the front-row, with Ollie Kohn and Tomas Vallejos joining at lock. After making their joint 100th appearance last week, Chris Robshaw and Will Skinner take up their flank slots, with Nick Easter at the back of the scrum.

In the backs, Danny Care and Nick Evans continue as a formidable 9-10 duo, and Jordan Turner-Hall and Ollie Smith continue to build their centre partnership. George Lowe and last week's man of the match, Gonzalo Camacho, add the pace on the wings, with Mike Brown watching over things.

Form: Harlequins opened their winning account in Aviva Premiership Rugby in style on Saturday with a maximum point victory over promoted Exeter Chiefs at the Twickenham Stoop. Quins' only defeat in their last ten Premiership encounters at The Stoop was to Northampton on 11 September. Newcastle Falcons have won just one game so far: 29-17 at home to London Wasps on 10 September. The Falcons have won only once on their travels in the Premiership since early January: 32-30 at Sale on 23 April. Harlequins are unbeaten in their last four clashes with Newcastle in all competitions, whilst the Falcons have not won at The Stoop since a 20-18 victory on 30 September 2000.

The teams:

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 George Lowe, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner, 6 Chris Robshaw (capt), 5 Tomas Vallejos, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 Ceri Jone, 18 Mark Lambert, 19 Pete Browne, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Tom Williams.

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

Date: Saturday, October 2
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: Twickenham Stoop
Referee: Rob Debney
Assistant referees: Stuart Terheege, Kevin Stewart
Television match official: Trevor Fisher
Timekeeper: Roy Marfleet