NEWCASTLE FALCONS hand a Gallagher Premiership debut to 18-year-old full-back Ben Redshaw when they open the new league season away to Bath tomorrow afternoon.

Redshaw captained England Under-18s to a 56-14 away win over Ireland in April, going on to start for England Under-19s a year young in their victory over Italy before this month being named in England Under-20s’ elite player squad.

The Leeds native impressed in Premiership Rugby Cup action during the home wins against Bedford Blues and Sale Sharks, and last month flew out to spend a week training with England’s Rugby World squad in France.

He is part of a starting XV at Bath including ten academy graduates – Callum Chick captaining the side as he forms part of an all-homegrown back row.

Scottish prop Murray McCallum plays his first Premiership game for Falcons since arriving from Edinburgh, with fellow summer signing Hugh O’Sullivan starting at scrum-half.

Head coach Alex Codling takes charge of his first Premiership game having helped steer Oyonnax into France’s Top 14 last season, with the former England lock enthused for the league opener after four wins from five in the cup.

Codling said: “After 18 weeks of meetings, team building, lots of training, fitness testing and the cup games we’re just all excited that the Gallagher Premiership is finally upon us.

 “We’re going down to one of the real traditional grounds of English club rugby to face what will be a massive physical challenge. There’ll be a big contest around the set-piece and the kicking battle, and we have to be ready for it.

 “I’m extremely proud to lead this group on Saturday. We’re just ready to rip in now and give it our best shot.”

Asked what the hallmarks of his Falcons team will be, Codling said: “First and foremost I want us to work incredibly hard. We’ve done that for the most part, and secondly I want us to have an attacking mind-set. When it’s on I want us to play, to back our skills and get our fans excited.”

Explaining his line-up for today’s opener at Bath, the head coach added: “Selection this week has been tough, the young guys did really well in the Cup and there’s been plenty of food for thought.

“We’ve got a couple of injuries in the camp such as Richard Palframan who is working really hard but is going to be out for a couple of months, and then a host of guys vying for positions.

“Players like Ben Redshaw are the future of this club, he has applied himself really well since going full-time with us in the summer and he’s a huge talent, so I’m looking forward to seeing him start at full-back.”