Henry Pollock is set to make his 50th appearance for Northampton having signed a new contract with the club earlier this week.
The 21-year-old starts alongside Josh Kemeny and Callum Chick, with a second row of Alex Coles and Ed Prowse ahead of them in the pack.
Phil Dowson has named an unchanged front row from Saints’ 93-10 friendly victory over Georgian side Black Lion last week.
Newcastle name seven of their summer arrivals in the starting XV, including former Saints players Sam Graham and Elliot Millar Mills.
Chris Harris starts at inside centre having re-joined Newcastle from Bath, with former Ulster man Werner Kok on the left wing.
Maori All Black Pouri Rakete-Stones makes his Prem debut at loose-head prop, while Cam Jordan and Max Hicks also make their debuts.
Northampton: Pater; Freeman, Hutchinson, Dingwall (c), Hendy; F. Smith, McParland; Iyogun, Langdon, Kundiona; Coles, Prowse, Kemeny, Pollock, Chick.
Replacements: R. Smith, Fischetti, Neculai, Lockett, Taylor, Mitchell, Belleau, Sleightholme.
Newcastle: H Obatoyinbo; Wade, Hearle, Harris, Kok; Connon, Elliott; Rakete-Stones, McGuigan, Millar Mills; Usher, Jordan, Hicks, Christie (c), Graham.
Replacements: Fletcher, West, Harper, Molina, Leatherbarrow, Benitez Cruz, Henry, Sotutu.
