Aviva Premiership: Newcastle Falcons aim to bounce back against Saracens

Adam Powell (R): Set to face former club

Powell, who made the switch from Allianz Park to Kingston Park in March of last year, is one of seven changes for the visit of the league leaders.

Joel Hodgson is handed his first Premiership start of the campaign, replacing Rory Clegg at number ten, while experienced scrum-half Mike Blair returns to the fray after being used as a second-half replacement at the Madejski last Sunday. Alex Tait gets the nod at full-back with Noah Cato moving back onto the wing.

Upfront, George McGuigan wins his first Premiership start of his career and comes in for Matt Thompson at hooker, while the talented Dom Barrow packs down alongside Scott MacLeod in the engine room.

Richard Mayhew, who will make his 50th appearance alongside MacLeod, replaces Andy Saull in the back-row.

Meanwhile, Richard Wigglesworth captains Saracens from scrum-half, and is joined by Charlie Hodgson in the halves to make up an experienced half-back pairing.

In the backs, Alex Goode returns to the side to start at full-back after recovering from a head knock, with Chris Wyles moving to inside centre.

Wyles is partnered by Tim Streather in the midfield whilst on the wings, Fijian international Michael Tagicakibau and New Zealander Jack Wilson come into the side.

Up front, Richard Barrington starts at loosehead prop alongside England Saxons hooker Jamie George and British and Irish Lions tighthead Matt Stevens.

At lock, Springbok international Alistair Hargreaves returns to Saracens starting XV after an extended spell on the sidelines - he is joined by Eoin Sheriff in the second row.

England Saxons flanker Will Fraser returns to action for the first time since November to start at openside flanker, and he is joined by Nick Fenton-Wells and Jackson Wray in the back row, who start at blindside flanker and number eight respectively.

For Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Richard Mayhew, 5 Scott Macleod, 4 Dom Barrow, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Grant Shiells
Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Gary Strain, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Ian Nagle, 20 Chris York, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Phil Godman, 23 Danny Barnes

For Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Tim Streather, 12 Chris Wyles, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Nick Fenton-Wells, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Eoin Sheriff, 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Jamie George, 1 Richard Barrington
Replacements: 16 Scott Spurling, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Hayden Smith, 20 Justin Melck, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Ben Ransom.