Wales international Owen Lane will make his first competitive start of the season when Cardiff travel to the north east for their Challenge Cup clash with Newcastle Falcons.
The 24-year-old has recovered from an ankle injury he picked up against Munster in September and he will line up in the back three alongside Ben Thomas and Josh Adams.
Rhys Priestland and Tomos Williams form the half back partnership as Max Llewellyn and Rey Lee-Lo continue in midfield.
