Newcastle have recalled Warren Fury at scrum-half and brought in Jamie Helleur and James Fitzpatrick at centre. The only other change from the side that lost 16-3 to Exeter sees Will Welch named in the back row. London Wasps start with the same side which lost to Northampton Saints in their last game.
Newcastle's record Premiership run without a try will not make them easy pickings at Kingston Park, according to Wasps wing Will Helu. The Falcons have now gone 335 minutes without a try in league action.
Dean Richards' men will be desperate to break that duck and extend their run of three wins in their last four home matches in all competitions. And Tonga wing Helu has admitted facing the Falcons in the North East in December is the worst time to travel to Tyneside.
"We all know that Newcastle are a very tough side to beat at home and a Friday night at Kingston Park towards the end of December is probably one of the hardest times to go and play them," Helu told Wasps' club website. "We are expecting a really physical game but we are going to have to roll up our sleeves and get into them. It is going to be a tough one and we cannot shirk that."
Wasps have won four of their last five matches on the road in all competitions, and Helu is hoping for more of the same this weekend. "We've had a few injuries on the flanks but we still have a lot of quality and finishing ability out wide. Hopefully we can show that again."
Newcastle rugby director Richards is unfazed by his side's lack of tries, but admits it is time to arrest a run of four consecutive league defeats. "This is a crucial time now, with Sale up next after Wasps and it's a big week for the club," Richards told Newcastle Falcons' official website. "We know these games are tough but we're raring to go."
Northampton Saints head to Bath on Saturday keen to extend their winning form after last weekend's edgy 17-15 victory at Wasps. Bath's "beefed up" pack will pose the Saints a host of problems at Franklin's Gardens, admits wary flanker Phil Dowson. The former Newcastle back-rower believes Bath offer one of the Premiership's most exciting challenges, now they boast a set of forwards to balance their talented backline.
"They have definitely beefed up their pack in the last couple of years, so they have a massive set of forwards," Dowson told Press Association Sport. "But they are dangerous moving the ball wide as well, so it only increased the attraction of playing against them and meeting that challenge to be honest."
Last season: No corresponding fixture.
Last six league matches: Newcastle W W L L L L; Wasps L W W L W L
Top try scorer: Mike Blair, Tom Catterick & Adam Powell (Newcastle) 1; Christian Wade (Wasps) 5
Top goal scorer: Rory Clegg (Newcastle) 75; Andy Goode (Wasps) 104
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