KIERAN BROOKES is happy to see Newcastle Falcons continuing their policy of using the European Challenge Cup to blood some of their brightest young talents.

Brookes is back in the Falcons fold after spending a month on international duty with England, and is one of the few experienced names in the Newcastle side that will host Stade Francais tomorrow night.

Director of rugby Dean Richards used the opening two rounds of the continental competition to have a look at some of the academy players pushing for a more regular place in the first team, and has adopted the same policy ahead of tomorrow's game despite facing one of the biggest names in French rugby.

Nineteen members of tomorrow’s 23-man squad are English, with 12 having spent time in the Kingston Park academy system, and Brookes is delighted to see the next generation of Falcons players getting a chance to prove themselves at the top level.

“It can only be good for the club that all the young lads that have been given an opportunity in recent weeks have done really well,” said the front rower. “They have pushed the lads in front of them on, and it is always good to have competition for shirts in every position.

“I like the European tournaments. It gives you the chance to play against players that you don’t see every week. I also think the nature of it means the games are less structured, and players can play with a bit more flair and expression. I think it is going to be a game with a lot of free running on show.”

In total, Falcons have made 13 changes from last weekend’s defeat to Sale Sharks, with Simon Hammersley returning at full-back and Noah Cato replacing Alesana Tuilagi on the left flank.

Adam Powell captains the side from the centres, where he will partner Chris Harris, with Tom Catterick and Warren Fury forming the half-back partnership.

American international Eric Fry is also back from international duty in the front row, with Kane Thompson making his first Falcons start at lock after making his debut from the replacements’ bench against Sale.

The back row is completely revamped, with Sean Robinson, Daniel Temm and Chris York replacing Mark Wilson, Andy Saull and Ally Hogg.

“Beating Bucharest (in the first round of European competition) was good, and after beating Newport away the lads were ecstatic,” said Brookes. “Then seeing Newport beat Stade away, the boys are confident for our chances this weekend. We know if we play as well as we can, we have the chance to come away with a win.”

Newcastle Falcons: Hammersley, Tait, Powell, Harris, Cato, Catterick, Fury; Fry, McGuigan, Brookes, Thompson, MacLeod, Robinson, Temm, York.

Replacements: Vickers, Rogers, S Wilson, Barrow, Morris, Tipuna, Clegg, Penny.