Harlequins will be looking to make it two wins out of two in the new-look Premiership Rugby Cup when they face Newcastle Falcons at The Stoop on Sunday. 

After a mixed start to their league campaign with two victories and four defeats leaving the Quins’ currently midtable in sixth, Paul Gustard’s side got off to winning ways in the Premiership Rugby Cup, which replaced the Anglo-Welsh Cup for 2018/19, with a 27-19 triumph over Bath at the Recreation Ground.

For the fixture against Newcastle Jack Clifford captains the side and moves to flanker while Alex Dombrandt moves to number eight. 

Acting head of rugby Alex Codling was full of praise for his captain and said: “The Jack-man has made an excellent return to first team rugby over the past couple of weeks and we are delighted to see him lead the side out at our home on Sunday. 

“His attitude and commitment has been first-class all season.”

Phil Swainston will also come in at tighthead for the hosts while Dino Lamb starts in the second row.

In the backs Niall Saunders will make his first start for the club at scrum-half and Cadan Murley gets his first start of the season at right wing. 

Ross Chisholm moves to hull-back and Tim Visser comes in on the left wing. While James Lang starts at inside centre with Francis Saili moving to outside.

Codling said: “Niall and Cadan have both earned their opportunity to start this weekend and, like many others, will be looking to stick their hands up and make selection ever harder for the coaching team.

“We enjoyed an excellent start to our Premiership Rugby Cup campaign last week at Bath with a 19-27 victory at The Rec with notable improvement in our attacking play while our defence, again, was excellent. 

“It was another positive step for the squad this season as we strive to deliver that total performance. 

“I have been very pleased with the effort and attitude of the whole squad in training all week and we relish the chance to take on Newcastle in front of our raucous support at The Stoop on Sunday afternoon.”

Newcastle, who have had a poor start to the league season and sit bottom of the Gallagher Premiership, opened their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign with a 22-22 draw at home to Exeter Chiefs and will be hoping for a win to kickstart a turnaround in fortunes.

The visitors on Sunday have made five changes to their side for the trip to Harlequins, Scotland international Chris Harris the main man to come in, replacing Ben Stevenson at outside centre.

Alex Tait starts at full-back as Tom Arscott moves to the right wing following a thigh injury picked up by last week’s hat-trick hero Zach Kibirige.

The other three changes see Sam Lockwood and Jack Payne starting at prop while Connor Collett makes his first competitive start for the Falcons since joining from New Zealand’s North Harbour.