Harlequins are ready to get started ahead of the new Premiership Rugby season getting underway this weekend.

Reigning champions Harlequins get their new campaign up and running on Sunday with a trip to the North East to face Newcastle Falcons.

Quins are coming off the back of a title win after beating Exeter Chiefs in a truly iconic Premiership Final to close out last season.

While Quins finished fourth before ultimately going on to lift the trophy, the Falcons finished a disappointing tenth.

Matson said: “It’s great to get our competitive season kicked off in Newcastle this weekend.

“Pre-season has offered us a great opportunity to settle back in, welcome in some new faces, myself included, and sharpen our rugby for the season ahead.

“It’s great to see a really strong mixture of continuity from last season’s title win and some fresh faces through a few academy boys and summer arrivals.

“Newcastle are a well-drilled team that are always tough to overturn in the north. I’m personally really excited to get stuck into my first Premiership game for Quins, too.

"It’s been a fantastic start for me with the club, and I can’t wait to see the pre-season work transfer onto the field through a truly talented playing group.”

Form

Quins won five of their final seven games to clinch a top-four spot, came from 28-0 down against Bristol to win their semi-final, and then beat Exeter Chiefs 40-38 in the Premiership final playing a brand of attacking rugby.

Despite a disappointing finish in the table, the Falcons ended last season well with a record of three wins in their last five matches, including victories against Northampton Saints and a convincing 52-27 triumph over London Irish.

However, the Falcons lost their final game of the regular season, 54-26 to Quins, and prior to beating Worcester Warriors in their penultimate match, they were also beaten 74-3 by Exeter Chiefs.

Team News

Four players could make their debuts for Quins at Kingston Park this Sunday, with prop Craig Trenier aiming to take to the field from the bench, while summer arrivals Jack Walker and Tommy Allan get the nod from the start.

Another new signing, Scottish international centre Huw Jones, has been named amongst the replacements.

In captain Stephan Lewies’ absence, No.8 Alex Dombrandt leads Harlequins this weekend, and four current academy members make the matchday 23.

Meanwhile, the Falcons have Logovi’i Mulipola making his 50th appearance for the club but a rib injury from last weekend’s win at Edinburgh means summer signing Mike Brown won’t be facing his old side.

Lineups

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Penny, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Ben Stevenson, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Iwan Stephens, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Louis Schreuder; 1 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Philip van der Walt, 7 Will Welch (captain), 8 Carl Fearns.

Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Kyle Cooper, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Connor Collett, 21 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 George Wacokecoke.

Harlequins: 15. Tyrone Green, 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. Cadan Murley, 10. Tommy Allan, 9. Danny Care; 1. Santiago Garcia Botta, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Simon Kerrod, 4. Matt Symons, 5. Dino Lamb 6. Tom Lawday 7. Jack Kenningham 8. Alex Dombrandt (captain)

Replacements: 16. Sam Riley, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Craig Trenier, 19. Hugh Tizard, 20. Archie White, 21. Scott Steele, 22. Huw Jones, 23. Luke Northmore