Myler misses out as Saints make four changes for Newcastle trip

Fly-half Myler sustained a calf strain in the 20-16 defeat at Wasps last Sunday and will play no part at Kingston Park.

Hooley had played all of Saints’ pre-season games in Myler’s absence - which was also due to a calf injury - and now gets his chance in the competitive action.

It is one of four changes to the Northampton team, with Alex Waller, Kahn Fotuali’i and Ben Foden also coming into the starting 15.

Waller replaces Alex Corbisiero, while Fotuali’i and Foden, who impressed from the bench at Adams Park, replace Lee Dickson and James WIlson respectively.

Wilson and Dickson are among the replacements, with Dom Waldouck also on the bench for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have opted to hand a first start to former Leicester wing Alesana Tuilagi as they bid to end a run of 18 Premiership matches without a win.

Newcastle Falcons: Hammersley; Cato, Powell, Socino, A Tuilagi; Godman Blair; Brookes, Lawson, S Wilson; Green, Barrow; Furno, Welch (c), Hogg.

Replacements: Hawkins, Rogers, Tomaszczyk, M Wilson, Mayhew, Fury, Tiesi, Sinoti.

Saints: Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Hooley, Fotuali’i; A Waller, Hartley (c), Ma’afu; Lawes, C Day; Clark, Wood, Manoa.

Replacements: McMillan, Corbisiero, Denman, Craig, Fisher, L Dickson, Waldouck, Wilson.