Murray: Back from World Cup duty

Murray's inclusion is one of eight changes made by Falcons coach Alan Tait, with Kiwi centre Jeremy Manning also returning following injury.

Wings Rikki Sheriffe and Luke Eves, scrum-half Jordi Pasqualin, front-rowers Darren Fearn and Michael Mayhew and flanker Mark Wilson are all included.

Tait said of Murray's return: "He is one of the best scrummagers in the world, and Mickey Ward has got a smile on his face as front-row coach because he knows like me that great players make a great difference."

Cardiff coaches Gareth Baber and Justin Burnell have placed their faith in a young side for the trip.

Starlets such as Cory Allen, Rhys Patchell and Rhys Downes have been handed their chances to stake first-team claims.

Baber said: "It is a young team that we've selected, but it's full of talent as well and that's what we want to see as coaches."

Newcastle: Goosen, Sheriffe, Uys, Manning, Eves, Gopperth, Pasqualin, Fearn, M. Mayhew, Murray, Townson, van der Heijden, Wilson, Pennycook, Hogg.

Replacements: Graham, Wells, Hall, Swinson, Welch, Chudley, Helleur, Hodgson.

Cardiff: Fish, Mustoe, O Williams, Allen, A Thomas, Patchell, Downes; Trevett, Tyrrell, Harford, Hill, Downes, Jenkins Young, Hamilton.

Replacements: R Williams, Corsi, T Davies, Screech, Shellard, L Jones, L Williams, R Smith.