Both Newcastle and Northampton have lost their opening two matches of the new Premiership campaign but the Saints’ fine recent record in this fixture will give them confidence heading into Sunday.

They have won the pair’s last four meetings, including April’s 66-5 success on their last trip to Kingston Park. 

After encouraging signs in defeats to Sale and Bristol, the visitors will fancy themselves to get off the mark against the Falcons, who are still adapting to life under new boss Alex Codling.

Always competitive, Codling has seen his side lose their matches against Bath and Gloucester by a combined tally of just 12 points. However, Saints’ strike power hints that they will have too much on Tyneside.

Match Odds

Newcastle are 7/5 to grab a first win of the season, with Northampton 8/13 to break their duck and the tie 18/1.

Last season’s success for the Saints came by a full 61 points, so a winning margin of over 12 points, available at 23/10, may interest some punters.

Team News 

Newcastle’s Adam Radwan makes his 100^th appearance for the club, retaining his place as the Falcons make five changes.

Iwan Stephens starts on the left wing, with Elliott Obatoyinbo at full-back and Sam Stuart at scrum-half.

Up front, Sam Cross is named in the number six shirt and Mark Tampin slots in at tighthead prop.

Northampton have made four alterations from the defeat to Bristol. George Furbank is named at full-back, while centre Fraser Dingwall and wing George Hendy also return to the starting XV.

In the pack, lock Chunya Munga makes his first start, partnering Alex Coles in the second row.

Newcastle -6.5 @ 11/10

Defence has been Northampton’s issue in recent seasons, conceding 611 points and 86 tries across 20 league matches last term and their exploits so far suggest that new coaching recruit Lee Radford is yet to make his mark.

Despite Radwan’s presence, the Falcons are still falling short in attack, enjoying possession against both Bath and Gloucester but only emerging with five tries.

Their league-low 75.6 per-cent tackle rate is also an issue and could be exposed by a Saints side who head into the weekend having made more offloads, beaten more defenders and made more clean breaks than any other team.

Having spent eight years as a player at Kingston Park, visiting coach Phil Dowson remains a popular face in the north east but will be imploring his side to put his former side to the sword.

Total Points – Over 44.5 @ SP

Radwan’s big afternoon could be worth at least five points for the Falcons and he scored his team’s only try in last season’s renewal.

The Saints also have pace galore, including Tom Seabrook, who twice went over against Newcastle last season while still at Gloucester and has scored six tries in as many outings for his new club.

As well as winning 66-5 on Tyneside in 2022/23, Northampton also triumphed in the reverse game at home, winning 32-31.

With both sides already being involved in games that have featured 60 points this season, it makes sense to look for another high-scoring affair on Sunday.