Winger to face former club on his Prem debut

CHRISTIAN

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Wade makes his first Gallagher PREM appearance for Newcastle Red Bulls tonight when they host his former club, Gloucester Rugby.The winger is just nine tries short of the division's all-time scoring record having returned to the sport from rugby league, and forms part of a Newcastle side showing three changes from the one which earned a four-try bonus point last time out at Bristol Bears.

Richard Palframan comes in at tight-head prop as Murray McCallum switches to the loose-head side, where Adam Brocklebank misses out due to illness.

Jamie Hodgson returns in the second row after injuring his nose during the Challenge Cup victory over the Lions three weeks ago, while Ollie Leatherbarrow continues in the back row after scoring in his last two games.

On the bench Ollie Fletcher is poised to play his 50th game for his home town club, with head coach Alan Dickens relishing the prospect of a positive start to the calendar year.