JOHNNY WILLIAMS makes his first-team comeback for Newcastle Falcons on Sunday after successfully overcoming testicular cancer.

Williams, who has undergone chemotherapy after being diagnosed over the summer, starts for Dean Richards’ side as they look to maintain their 100 per cent record for the season at Yorkshire Carnegie.

The 23-year-old centre’s most recent competitive game saw him score on his England debut as they defeated the Barbarians at Twickenham in June.

The former London Irish man played the first half for a Falcons XV last Saturday during their 31-5 win over Watsonians in preparation for this weekend’s return to senior action, with his inclusion coming as one of 12 changes to the side that saw off Doncaster 34-10 last Friday.

Tom Arscott, Gary Graham and Sonatane Takulua are the only three players to keep their places, with Dominic Waldouck captaining the team from outside centre.

England Under-20s star Josh Hodge makes his first-team debut on the right wing, while Joel Hodgson starts at fly-half against one of his former clubs after spending the 2015-16 season at Headingley.

Sam Lockwood, Jamie Blamire and Mark Tampin all step up from bench duty into the starting berths as Falcons go in search of their 15th successive victory in all competitions.

American international Greg Peterson comes in to start after playing more than an hour from the bench last time out, with Sebastian de Chaves partnering him in front of a back row which sees the addition of Nemani Nagusa and Callum Chick.

Newcastle Falcons: Arscott, Hodge, Waldouck, Williams, Swiel, Hodgson, Takulua; Lockwood, Blamire, Tampin, Peterson, de Chaves, Chick, Graham, Nagusa.

Replacements: Maddison, Davison, Mulipola, Salmon, Uzokwe, Young, Connon, Wacokecoke.