TOBY FLOOD will make the first start of his second spell at Newcastle Falcons tomorrow when Dean Richards’ side continue their pre-season preparations with a home game against Rotherham Titans.

The 60-times-capped England fly-half played the second half of last weekend’s 49-19 home win over Nottingham, kicking five from five on a day that also saw the Falcons defeat Doncaster Knights 31-8.

Flood will form part of a half-back partnership with Sonatane Takulua, the scrum-half who is playing his first pre-season game after helping Tonga secure their place at the 2019 Rugby World Cup over the summer.

Full-back Simon Hammersley makes his first start since November 4 when he suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury at Wasps, while former European Champions Cup centre Maxime Mermoz makes his second Falcons appearance following his move from Leicester Tigers.

Senior academy players Adam Radwan and Ben Stevenson, both of whom shone at the Singha 7s and scored in last week’s friendlies, form part of the back line, while Ben Sowrey makes his first start of the summer at hooker.