In the back division, summer signing Jeremy Staunton makes his first start in the Premiership and replaces Andy Dunne at fly half. In the midfield, Andy Reay and George Harder replace Mel Deane and Will Greenwood respectively.

Deane is set to be out of action for up to six weeks with a knee injury, while Greenwood misses out after taking a bang to the head last weekend. While he was not concussed, as a precaution the medical team at the Stoop have requested that Greenwood be given a weeks rest.

In the pack, Ceri Jones and Ace Tiatia come into the front row in place of Mike Worsley and James Hayter respectively. Having recovered from a dislocated thumb, Tony Diprose starts in the back row at number eight, with Andre Vos reverting to the open side flank, Luke Sherriff on the blind side and Maama Molitika dropping to the bench.

"After a good start, we badly let ourselves down against Northampton last week," said NEC Harlequins Chief Executive Mark Evans. "We have a very proud squad of players who have worked very hard in training this week and are determined to make-up for what happened last weekend in attempting to get our first win of the season on Sunday."

"However, Newcastle have had two excellent away wins to start their season. With Jonny Wilkinson back in the side, along with summer signings Colin Charvis and Matthew Burke, then we know we will have to play to our full potential if we are to get the result we are looking for at Kingston Park."

The full team is as follows:

15. Gavin Duffy
14. Ugo Monye
13. George Harder
12. Andy Reay
11. Simon Keogh
10. Jeremy Staunton
9. Steve So'oialo
1. Ceri Jones
2. Ace Tiatia
3. Jon Dawson
4. Karl Rudzki
5. Simon Miall
6. Luke Sherriff
7. Andre Vos (Capt.)
8. Tony Diprose

Replacements:
16. James Hayter
17. Mike Worsley
18. Roy Winters
19. Kai Horstmann
20. Maama Molitika
21. Andy Dunne
22. Tom Williams