NEWCASTLE Falcons face a stern test of their home-grown policy when they kick off their Zurich Premiership campaign at home to Wasps tomorrow.

Although Wasps have Wales scrum half Rob Howley on board, and Lawrence Dallaglio back from injury, these two clubs have been less active than most in their summer recruitment.

The only newcomer in Falcons' line-up tomorrow is 20-year-old Joe Shaw, signed from Northampton. He is on the wing, although he can also play at full back, where Liam Botham continues in the role he was handed at the end of last season.

Captained this season by Jonny Wilkinson, the Falcons have also added his brother Mark to their playing staff as cover at centre, where he played a few games for Mowden Park last season.

Another signing who might be considered as much a minder as a first team prospect is Epi Taione's former Tynedale pal Soa Otuvaka, who has also played in the back row for a couple of Division One sides.

Leicester scrum half James Grindal has also signed and will provide keen competition for Hall Charlton, while Andy Springgay, Phil Dowson, Phil Godman and Craig Hamilton have been promoted from the academy.

Newcastle will be under pressure from the England management not to overplay their captain, but cover for Wilkinson looks very thin as David Walder could be out for four months with a broken leg.

It's a big blow for Walder, who missed a chunk of last season with hamstring problems, while the other understudy for his full back and fly half roles, Dave Richardson, has damaged knee ligaments.

Following the loss of Pat Lam, Inga Tuigamala, Gary Armstrong, Doddie Weir and George Graham, it will be very interesting to see how the Falcons' young guns cope.

The experience in the pack comes from Marius Hurter and Richard Arnold, while former Scotland hooker Steve Brotherstone has signed after being on loan from Northampton at the end of last season.

While winning remains all-important, the Falcons plan to keep developing their entertaining style and they certainly have two of the most mobile locks in the business in Hugh Vyvyan and Stuart Grimes.

In common with most Premiership clubs, Newcastle report an 18 per cent increase in season ticket sales, which have topped 2,000 as they press ahead with the £10m development of Kingston Park.

Newcastle: L Botham, J Shaw, T May, J Noon, M Stephenson, J Wilkinson (capt), H Charlton, I Peel, S Brotherstone, M Hurter, S Grimes, H Vyvyan, E Taione, R Arnold, J Dunbar.