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Wasps flyer Christian Wade returns to the starting line-up for tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle.

The England prospect, who has been sidelined since November with a foot injury, replaces the rested Frank Halai.

Wasps boss Dai Young has made one further changes to his starting XV plus two more on the bench for the struggling Falcons’ visit.

Openside flanker George Smith is rotated to the bench, to allow Thomas Young a first start since November.

The veteran Aussie is joined there by Matt Mullan and Ruaridh Jackson, who have respectively been released back to their club by England and Scotland.

In addition, new signing Siale Piutau wears a Wasps shirt for the first time, as he replaces Sailosi Tagicakibau among the replacements.

The absence of Mullan, James Haskell and Smith means Jimmy Gopperth will captain Wasps for the first time, against one of his former clubs.

Young was delighted by his team’s first win in ten years at Northampton last Friday, but has warned the players they are not good enough to win when performing below their maximum level.

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“Last week, the squad produced a great performance against Northampton Saints,” he said, “but we know we need to back it up this weekend or that win won’t count for anything. We are working hard to produce consistency in our performances to build momentum.

“Newcastle are always tough opponents and will arrive at the Ricoh Arena full of confidence after their win against Harlequins last week so we will need to be on our game.”

“I have no doubt that Newcastle are capable of beating us, but it’s a game we have to expect to win. If you are playing a team at home that’s below you in the table, and you want to be a top six team, you have to win those games.

“That said, I don’t think the distance between the teams is that big, and we’re not good enough to play to 60 or 70 per cent of our potential and win.”

After appearing twice from the bench, Andy Goode makes his first Aviva Premiership start for Newcastle.

The Coventry-born former Wasps fly half, joined Newcastle on a three-month deal over Christmas, to assist his former Leicester boss Dean Richards in the club’s relegation battle.

This is the only change to the Falcoms’ starting XV which upset Harlequins 26-19 at Kingston Park last week.

Another former Wasp, Tongan Taione Vea, will lead a powerful Falcons front row.

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Tickets are still available for Wasps v Newcastle Falcons at the Ricoh Arena this Saturday (2pm KO) and start from £15 for adults with under-10s going free in certain categories.

They can be purchased at www.wasps.co.uk or at the Ricoh Arena ticket office.

Wasps: Rob Miller; Christian Wade, Brendan Macken, James Downey, Josh Bassett; Jimmy Gopperth, Dan Robson; Simon McIntyre, Edd Shervington, Jake Cooper-Woolley; James Gaskell, Kearnan Myall; Alex Rieder, Thomas Young, Nathan Hughes, Replacements: Ashley Johnson, Matt Mullan, Phil Swainston, James Cannon, George Smith, Jamie Stevenson, Ruaridh Jackson, Siale Piutau.

Newcastle: Simon Hammersley; Alex Tait, Adam Powell, Juan Pablo Socino, Giovanbattista Venditti; Andy Goode, Michael Young; Rob Vickers, Scott Lawson, Taione Vea; Mark Wilson, Sean Robinson; Will Welch, Nili Latu, Ally Hogg. Replacements: George McGuigan, Alex Rogers, Paddy Ryan, Mouritz Botha, Richard Mayhew, Sonatane Takulua, Craig Willis, Marcus Watson.

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys