Scottish internationals Ally Hogg and Andy Henderson both make their first Aviva Premiership Rugby appearances for the club after summer moves from Edinburgh and Montauban respectively, whilst there are also competitive debuts for centre Luke Eves and prop Tim Ryan.

Lock forward James Hudson skippers Newcastle at the venue where they enjoyed a memorable 32-30 victory in the penultimate game of last season, with new head coach Alan Tait saying: "We're expecting a very different Sale team from that night.

"They've got a new coach in Mike Brewer who I know from my Scotland days, and they've made a whole number of changes to their playing squad. Yes we had a good win down there towards the end of last season and also the season before, but that was then and it's a fresh start for both teams now.

"Looking back it was a great game last year with so much resting on it, and I suppose that's why people want to keep this relegation lark because that's the sort of pressure and excitement it generates. To win that was a massive night for the club, but it's a different pressure this time round with both sides wanting to start with a victory."

Explaining the decision to go with a half back pairing of Jeremy Manning and Chris Pilgrim while Jimmy Gopperth and Micky Young sit on the bench, Tait revealed: "It's more a case of not taking any unnecessary risks.

"We've gone with the guys who have been fit, training at full intensity and have been involved in all the rugby across the summer. Jimmy has only been coming back from the last three weeks after his ankle injury, while Micky hurt his groin at the Middlesex Sevens and has been working back to full fitness from that. Hall Charlton has been battling to get over a hamstring injury for the last six weeks too, so we have gone with the guys who are at their sharpest. If this was the last month of the season we might have pitched them in and asked them to battle through until they could have a rest, but there's a long way to go yet and we've got to manage everyone correctly.

"Jimmy and Micky were naturally disappointed, but they both understand the thought processes. Last season we relied too heavily on Jimmy, and played him when he was tired and carrying injuries. We won't make the same mistake again. We've got options, so we'll use them, and I'm very excited about Chris and Jeremy, they have gone very well and looked great over the pre-season.

"Chris Pilgrim has worked so hard on his game over the summer, he went away to America in May to do some sprint training with a coach over there and he's always looking for extra tips. He's worked hard on his pass service and he's been sharp. He backed himself last year to come here on trial and win a deal. That's what he's done, and he's getting better and better all the time."

With the long-awaited start to the new Aviva Premiership Rugby season finally coming round, Tait said: "The boys are absolutely itching for this game because they've been working incredibly hard for the best part of three months now.

"They're in fantastic condition, the rugby training has been going well and we had a good pre-season hit-out against Rotherham. The competition for places is pretty fierce, and you could see a few heads go down when we told the players what the team was. That shows what it means to them to be selected, but those who have missed out are all being very supportive of the boys in the starting XV which is really important."

Asked what his hopes are for Friday's game and the season as a whole, Tait said: "I'm looking for the guys to put on the field what we have been doing in training, and I'll be happy if they manage to do that.

"People at the start of seasons are all trying to make predictions about teams and where they'll finish, but it's not for me really. For example if you look at Sale last year, they started the season by beating Leicester who went on to win the league, but then Sale themselves dropped away and finished next to the bottom. It just goes to show that the first game isn't necessarily the be-all and end-all of your season, but on the same note it's a great chance to get points on the board and generate a bit of momentum around the place."

Assessing his new squad, Tait said: "I'm really happy with this group of players, and the boys I've managed to bring in have all really added to the group.

"People on the outside might say that we've had to assemble the squad on a limited budget, but I'm not someone who will ever say things along those lines. I've gone to the board here with lists of people I want to get in over the summer, and the chief executive David Bell and the chairman Dave Thompson have all been extremely supportive in backing me.

"We're not a Leicester or a Northampton paying top whack for a squad full of established internationals, but we all know that and you will never catch me whingeing about it. I believe in the quality of players that we have here at the club, and it takes a special kind of character to wear that Falcons shirt. It's hard work here and you've got to want to graft for the cause, but we've got good people at this club and I'm excited by the new season coming round."

Motivated by a desire to do the region proud, Tait added: "We know where we want to go, and we know how important it is to the North-East and Cumbria that we make a success of it here at the Falcons.

"I try and explain to the new players just what it means to the public here to have exciting sporting teams playing in the region. It's an awesome place to be out there on the field with the Newcastle badge on your chest, because the people here just love their sport. I was lucky enough to have a bit of success as a player here in a different era, and I want our guys to get a taste of that. I'll never ever forget my time as a Falcons player. You can't take those memories away from me, but now it's about creating new ones for this current crop."

NEWCASTLE FALCONS TEAM TO FACE SALE SHARKS

15 Alex Tait
14 Gcobani Bobo
13 Luke Eves
12 Andy Henderson
11 Charlie Amesbury
10 Jeremy Manning
9 Chris Pilgrim

1 Jon Golding
2 Rob Vickers
3 Tim Ryan
4 James Hudson (captain)
5 Tim Swinson
6 Brent Wilson
7 Will Welch
8 Ally Hogg

REPLACEMENTS

16 Kieran Brookes
17 Micky Ward
18 Grant Shiells
19 Filipo Levi
20 Redford Pennycook
21 Micky Young
22 Jimmy Gopperth
23 Rob Vickerman