Newcastle v Exeter: Teams
Newcastle will be looking to maintain their fine home record when they entertain Exeter at Kingston Park on Friday night.
Last Updated: 17/02/11 7:24pm
Newcastle coach Alan Tait brings prop Euan Murray straight back into the side for Friday's Aviva Premiership match against Exeter.
Scotland international Murray returns to bolster the front row as the Falcons look to move themselves away from the bottom of the table.
New Zealand full-back Jeremy Manning is included amongst the substitutes after overcoming an arm injury sustained at London Irish.
On Manning's inclusion, Tait said: "Jeremy's responding well to treatment and on the advice of the medical staff we are giving him as long as possible to recover."
Home comforts
Newcastle currently sit three points above basement boys Leeds but have not been beaten in front of their own fans since last October.
"We're looking at every home game to win," added Tait.
"There's no doubt about that and I think we've done really well at home this season apart from the game against London Irish.
"This will be a big test to see where we are at the moment. They're sitting pretty in the table and we have to aspire to that, showing what we're capable of tomorrow night.
Lancastrian second rower Glen Townson and centre James Fitzpatrick are also amongst the replacements for the game at Kingston Park.
Unchanged Chiefs
Exeter, meanwhile, are set to field an unchanged XV after last week's 20-6 victory over Harlequins. The only change in the squad sees Argentine prop Ignacio Elosu take over from the injured Hoani Tui on the bench.
The two sides have met four times already this season, with each managing two wins apiece.
"We have talked this week that winning away from home is a bit special in the Premiership because you really have to play well in large areas of the game," said Exeter boss Rob Baxter.
"I think, though, if we do that on Friday night then we'll give ourselves a great chance of getting points out of the game. You have to target points and get something out of every game you can and that has been our success so far this season."
Newcastle:15 Alex Tait, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Luke Eves, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Gcobani Bobo, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Micky Young, 8 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 6 Tim Swinson, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden, 4 James Hudson, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements:16 Rob Vickers, 17 Kieran Brookes, 18 Grant Shiells, 19 Glen Townson, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 James Fitzpatrick, 23 Jeremy Manning
Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Matt Jess, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Nic Sestaret, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (c), 3 Chris Budgen, 2 Neil Clark, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Chris Whitehead, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Ignacio Elosu, 19 Chad Slade, 20 James Phillips, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Phil Dollman