Rory Jennings makes his first start for Newcastle Falcons on Friday night when they host Gloucester in Gallagher Premiership action.

The former London Irish man starts at inside centre after making his debut from the bench in last weekend’s league opener at Bath, coming in as the only change for the 6pm Kingston Park kick-off.

For the second week running the Falcons field a starting XV containing ten current or former academy players, with head coach Alex Codling’s men looking to repeat last season’s home-and-away double over the Cherry and Whites.

Codling said: “Gloucester will provide a big challenge around the scrum and the maul, so first and foremost it’s about the set-piece.

“The weather will play a factor with the way the forecast’s looking but we’ll aim to move the ball when we can, and both sides will be tested defensively because we have two teams who are looking to work the ball to the space.

“Storm Babet is coming but it is what it is, and we will just have to deal with whatever the conditions throw up on the night.

“We’ll prepare for all eventualities, good and bad. I just hope it doesn’t deter the supporters from coming down because it should still be a fantastic game and the boys are buzzing to play in front of our home crowd.

“Our away supporters were fantastic down at Bath last weekend, and our home games in the cup have also seen a great atmosphere here with people coming along and enjoying their time at Kingston Park. Our players love to see the supporters getting involved and it makes a massive difference for us.”

Newcastle were beaten 34-26 at Bath in the opening round, with Codling remaining positive about many aspects of the performance.

He said: “Sometimes you have that immediate emotion after the game and it changes a couple of days later when you’ve watched it two or three times and done your analysis, but I still feel the same way now as I did on the final whistle last Saturday.

“I feel an immense amount of pride around the resilience and tenacity shown by the boys – I thought our desire on the day was superb and that Callum Chick led the team magnificently.

“I loved our ambition and our willingness to move the ball, but of course there’s also a strong sense of frustration that we didn’t take three or four gilt-edged chances in and around the Bath 22, which ultimately cost us.”

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A huge day for the sport on Friday sees the Falcons’ 6pm kick-off followed two hours later when New Zealand face an Argentina squad with a distinct Newcastle flavour – the Pumas’ party for the tournament including Mateo Carreras, Matias Moroni, Eduardo Bello and Pedro Rubiolo.

“It’s a big night of rugby with our own game against Gloucester and then the Rugby World Cup semi-final between on TV in the bars at 8pm, so it should be a great evening,” said Codling.

“Our Argentinian guys are a very proud bunch and they love playing their country, so we’ll be right behind them and cheering them on. It’s brilliant to see them doing so well and reaching the semi-finals of a Rugby World Cup, and I’m sure they’ll give it everything they’ve got in what will be a massive test against the All Blacks.

“We’ve obviously got England in the semi-finals on Saturday as well, which as a proud Englishman is great to see. They’ll go in as underdogs against South Africa but they’ve already shown that when the odds are against them they can come together and produce a performance, so like all England supporters I’ll be wishing them all the best.”

Keen for the club game to capitalise on the sport’s moment in the shop window, he added: “It’s a great time to be a rugby fan, and as well as all the excitement around the Gallagher Premiership we’ve just come off the back of an incredible week of World Cup quarter-finals.

“It will be drawing new interest into the sport which can only be a good thing, and hopefully people in our area who have been enjoying the Rugby World Cup on TV might come down and check out a Newcastle Falcons game in person over the coming weeks.”

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Newcastle Falcons team v Gloucester (Friday, 6pm, Kingston Park)

15 Ben Redshaw, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Tom Penny, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Hugh O’Sullivan; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Murray McCallum, 4 Philip van der Walt, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Freddie Lockwood, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Phil Brantingham, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Kiran McDonald, 20 Sam Cross, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Matias Orlando, 23 Elliott Obatoyinbo.

Not available for selection: Josh Barton, Eduardo Bello, Mateo Carreras, Nathan Greenwood, Charlie Maddison, Matias Moroni, Richard Palframan, Pedro Rubiolo, Adam Scott.

Gloucester Rugby: 15 Lloyd Evans, 14 Jake Morris, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 George Barton, 9 Stephen Varney; 1 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Fraser Balmain, 4 Freddie Clarke, 5 Arthur Clark, 6 Ben Donnell, 7 Lewis Ludlow (captain), 8 Zach Mercer.

Replacements: 16 Seb Blake, 17 Val Rapava-Ruskin, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Max Llewellyn. 23 Alex Hearle.

Referee: Jack Makepeace.