The former Leicester Tigers man starts in a potent-looking back line as Newcastle aim to go unbeaten through their entire schedule, having already enjoyed victories against Nottingham (50-12), Doncaster Knights (34-12) and Gala RFC (57-12).

Mike Delany comes in at fly-half in a half-back partnership with Tongan international Sonatane Takulua, Scotsmen Jon Welsh and Scott Lawson packing down in the front row as they return to native soil.

Canadian international Evan Olmstead moves from lock to the back row after scoring in both of his pre-season appearances – Will Welch captaining the team from the open-side flank.

Tonga back-row forward Opeti Fonua is in line for a debut from the bench after joining Newcastle from Leicester Tigers earlier this month – Zach Kibirige also among the replacements after scoring in his last two appearances.

Tickets for tonight’s game are available from BT Murrayfield priced £12 for adults, £8 concessions and £5 for under-18s.

The Falcons’ Aviva Premiership season starts on Friday September 2 when Sale Sharks are the visitors to Kingston Park Stadium in an 8pm kick-off. For tickets call 0871 226 60 60 or [**click here.**][1]

**NEWCASTLE FALCONS:**

15 Simon Hammersley

14 Vereniki Goneva

13 Chris Harris

12 Juan Pablo Socino

11 Sinoti Sinoti

10 Mike Delany

9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Jon Welsh

2 Scott Lawson

3 Taione Vea

4 Calum Green

5 Will Witty

6 Evan Olmstead

7 Will Welch (captain)

8 Mark Wilson

**REPLACEMENTS:**

16 Ben Sowrey

17 Alex Rogers

18 Paddy Ryan

19 Nick Civetta

20 Tyrone Holmes

21 Joel Hodgson

22 Sam Egerton

23 Zach Kibirige

(Blank shirt) Alex Tait

(Blank shirt) Belisario Agulla

(Blank shirt) Opeti Fonua

(Blank shirt) Callum Chick

**EDINBURGH:**

15 Glenn Bryce

14 Tom Brown

13 Sasa Tofilau

12 Phil Burleigh

11 Rory Scholes

10 Duncan Weir

9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

1 Rory Sutherland

2 Ross Ford

3 WP Nel

4 Fraser McKenzie

5 Grant Gilchrist

6 Jamie Ritchie

7 Hamish Watson

8 Magnus Bradbury

**REPLACEMENTS:**

16 Stuart McInally

17 Jack Cosgrove

18 Simon Berghan

19 Ben Toolis

20 John Hardie

21 Nathan Fowles

22 Blair Kinghorn

23 Chris Dean

(Blank shirt) George Turner

(Blank shirt) Lewis Carmichael

(Blank shirt) Viliami Fihaki

(Blank shirt) Solomoni Rasolea

[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2941