DEAN RICHARDS is hoping the retention of a settled side will enable Newcastle Falcons to build on last weekend’s promising start against Leicester Tigers when they entertain London Irish in their opening home game of the season on Sunday.

Richards has made just three changes to his starting line-up as Falcons get their first competitive experience of Kingston Park’s new synthetic playing surface.

American prop Eric Fry will make his Falcons debut after moving from London Scottish during the summer, replacing Rob Vickers, who has an ankle injury.

Mark Wilson has recovered from an ear infection to replace Richard Mayhew at blindside flanker, with Scott Lawson coming in for the injured George McGuigan at hooker.

Rob Hawkins is named among the replacements following his involvement in Monday night’s A team win at Leicester, with Alesana Tuilagi again on the bench as he continues to build up his fitness following his late arrival during pre-season.

“It’s always helpful when you can call upon the same core squad week to week as it allows the players to breed confidence and an understanding of their combined abilities,” said Richards.

“Form and injuries obviously play a part across a season, but being able to select the vast majority of last week’s team allows us to try and build on what I felt was an encouraging start.”

Summer signing Uili Kolo’ofai is unavailable as he continues to recover from a calf injury, but the Tonga international is looking forward to his first glimpse of his team-mates in action on their new home pitch.

“The guys are generally positive,” he said. “We have a few things to work on from the Leicester game, but everyone is looking forward to using the new pitch against London Irish and really kicking on.

“We are going to throw the ball around and have a real go, which should be entertaining for the guys coming down to watch.”

Sunday's game kicks off at 3pm, and will form part of a cross-code double-header, with Gateshead Thunder taking on Hemel Stags in rugby league’s Championship One play-offs at 6pm.

Newcastle Falcons: Hammersley, Sinoti, Powell, Socino, Cato, Godman, Blair; Fry, Lawson, Tomaszczyk, Green, Furno, M Wilson, Welch, Hogg.

Replacements: Hawkins, Rogers, S Wilson, Barrow, R Mayhew, Tipuna, Alesana Tuilagi, Helleur.