Greig Laidlaw set for the lead role with Edinburgh

Coach Michael Bradley was highly encouraged by the way his side played in last week’s 28-22 win over Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park but has stuck to his promise to rotate his squad ahead of the new RaboDirect PRO12 campaign.

Try-scoring full-back Tom Brown and winger Simon Webster are the only backs to keep their places in a new-look division which sees winger Lee Jones come in.

There are also new midfield and half-back partnerships with John Houston and Jim Thompson teaming up at centre and Phil Godman lining up at No 10 outside Laidlaw.

Kyle Traynor is the only front-row to return to the first XV. He packs down alongside the incumbent Andrew Kelly (hooker) and Jack Gilding, while young Grant Gilchrist earns a start alongside returning lock Steven Turnbull. In the back row, David Denton is the only new face, coming in at No 8 alongside Sean Cox and Roddy Grant, both of whom started in the win against Sale.

Bradley said: “I was very impressed with large parts of our performance against Sale Sharks last Friday and am happy to be in a position to select a very different but equally-strong side to take on Newcastle in our first home game of the season.

“Your first run out at home in a new season is very special as you look to show the home support how you’ve improved over pre-season and what you’re all about for the season ahead.

“This match is the last opportunity for players to trial all the things we’ve been working on in pre-season and stake a claim for a starting jersey.

Edinburgh are keen to promote the match as the first chance for fans to sample the new “Murrayfield matchday experience”.

For this season, supporters will be seated in the east stand and a perimeter standing area has been created around the other three sides of the pitch to get supporters right on top of the action.

Edinburgh get their Celtic League campaign underway at Murrayfield the following Friday against Cardiff Blues.