NEWCASTLE Falcons will have England centre Jamie Noon, skipper Matt Burke and former Mowden Park flanker Eni Gesinde back in their starting line-up for tomorrow's European Challenge Cup tie away to French side Montauban.

The Falcons will be without any of their four recent signings, Russell Winter, Mark Sorenson, Joe McDonnell and Loki Crichton, although one could feature in the return leg at Kingston Park a week on Sunday.

They are allowed one wild card and have asked the organisers to register Crichton for next week, presumably because he can cover several positions from the bench.

It's tough on Anthony Elliott as the Falcons seemed to carry more attacking threat when he switched from the wing to replace Crichton at full back in last Saturday's match against Harlequins.

Elliott and Tim Visser, who also did well in that game, have to make way for Tom May and John Rudd, while Lee Dickson starts instead of James Grindal at scrum half.

In the pack, Jon Golding replaces the ineligible McDonnell at loose head, while Andy Perry returns at lock for Sorensen and Brent Wilson reverts to No.8 for Winter, allowing Gesinde to play at blind side.

On the bench there is a return from injury for scrum half Hall Charlton, and hooker Rob Vickers could be set for a first-team debut with Andy Long and Ross Batty both sidelined with knee trouble.

Having lost their last match in the competition at Brive seven weeks ago, the Falcons cannot afford another defeat against a team who were promoted to the French top flight last season.

Director of Rugby John Fletcher said: "If we lose then we face an extremely difficult task in getting to the last eight.

"We know Montauban were in the top three earlier in the season and that they've claimed some big scalps in the French league. They almost won in Toulouse last weekend but the previous week were beaten at home by the bottom side.

"Any French team is dangerous, especially at home, and we will treat them with the respect they deserve.

"We hope to give Hall Charlton some game time after missing most of the season with two separate injuries. He is a proven Premiership player and has been in and around the England squad at various times.

"Andy Long has twisted his knee and will be out for a couple of weeks, but I would have absolutely no problems in throwing Rob Vickers in. He's been playing some good rugby this season at Tynedale and is one of the best ball carriers in the club, so he has a lot to offer and it will be a good experience for him."

Team: M Burke (captain), T May, M Tait, J Noon, J Rudd, T Flood, L Dickson, J Golding, M Thompson, M Ward, A Perry, J Oakes, E Gesinde, B Woods, B Wilson

* Triallist Jimmy Hayes, the former Cook Islands fly half, kicked two conversions as the Falcons Development XV won 33-11 at Worcester. Full back Alex Tait was among the try scorers, while Darlington fly half Charlie Raynor replaced Hayes late in the game and also landed two good conversions.