EUAN Murray will make his Newcastle Falcons debut this evening as Alan Tait’s side look to ease their Aviva Premiership relegation fears with a much-needed win over Sale Sharks.

With Leeds Carnegie earning their first win of the campaign last weekend, Falcons’ defeat at Wasps left them just three points clear of the relegation spot.

It is November 21 since Newcastle last recorded a Premiership victory, and while the weather has forced a glut of postponements their recent form has been poor.

Scotland international Murray, who joined from Northampton last month, takes over the No 3 shirt.

Tait has made two further changes, with Charlie Amesbury replacing Luke Eves in the backline and Brent Wilson taking over from Redford Pennycook.

“Euan Murray’s debut is something to look forward to,” said Tait. “And this is a game that I’ve been waiting for all season.

“We’ve also been boosted by Jonny Golding this week, and he will take a place on the bench. Andrew van der Heijden has also been doing contact work with the boys, but the Sale game has just come a bit quick for him.”

While Newcastle were losing to Wasps last weekend, Sale eased their relegation fears with a morale-boosting home win over Saracens.

The Manchester club are now eight points clear of Falcons, and Tait admits tonight’s opponents have improved markedly since making a slow start to the season.

“That’s what happens in rugby, and this Aviva Premiership is full of those surprises,”

he said.

“You can see that they’ve changed coaches, and the senior players seem to be having a fair bit to say.

“Pete Anglesea is a young coach, and the older players look to be leading the way.

The likes of Charlie Hodgson and Mark Cueto seem to be just enjoying their rugby.

They’re throwing it about well and they caught Saracens by surprise.”

Newcastle skipper James Hudson is confident his side will not be similarly rattled this evening, and is hoping home advantage will help Falcons enjoy a marked improvement in fortunes.

“Having had two home games postponed, there is an excitement factor around the place as we haven’t played for some time,” he said.

FALCONS: Manning, Fielden, Bobo, Tu’ipulotu, Amesbury, Gopperth, Young; Shiells, Thompson, Murray, Hudson, Swinson, B Wilson, Welch, Hogg.

Replacements: Graham, Golding, Brookes, Levi, Pennycook, Spice, Eves, Williams.