Waller makes long-awaited return in Wanderers' clash with Newcastle

The prop has been sidelined since breaking his arm in an Aviva Premiership fixture against the Falcons at Franklin's Gardens in early December.

He has suffered a few setbacks while on the comeback trail but was a reserve for Saints' defeat to Saracens on Saturday and now gets a start for the Wanderers.

Ben Foden is also in the starting 15 as he lines up at full-back, while Tom Collins, who scored a hat-trick in the Wanderers' 75-26 win against Wasps A last Monday, is on the wing.

The Wanderers, who won the Prem Rugby A League last season, will be looking to make it 10 bonus-point wins from as many matches this time round.

But they will be up against a strong Newcastle side that includes former Saints players Dom Waldouck and Jake Ilnicki as well as France international Maxime Mermoz.

Ex-Saints Academy player George Wacokecoke, who attends Northumbria University, will be on the Falcons bench.

Newcastle Falcons: Penny; Kibirige, Waldouck, Mermoz, Stevenson; Socino, Elliott; Brocklebank, Blamire, Ilnicki, Cavubati, Davidson; Burrows, Chick, Hogg.

Replacements: Blackett, Mavinga, Payne, Davies, Graham, Cowell, Matavesi, Wacokecoke.

Wanderers: Foden; K Pisi, Dingwall, Stephenson, Collins; Grayson, Kessell; Waller, Clare, M Collins; Moon, D Onojaife; Ludlam, Ryan, Eadie.

Replacements: Fish, Beesley, Trinder, Allman, Strachan, Emery, Elliott, Estelles.