Newcastle Falcons stalwart Rob Vickers will make it a century of appearances when he marches out for Friday night's Aviva Premiership blockbuster with Harlequins at Kingston Park.

The 30-year-old hooker made his Falcons debut during the 2006-07 season, having come through the club's successful academy system while a student at Durham University.

Yorkshireman, Vickers came to the fore during the 2009-10 campaign, scoring three tries in his 30 appearances to earn himself the Falcons Player of the Season award.

His impressive form was enough to see him named in the England Saxons squad which won the 2010 Churchill Cup.

Newcastle Falcons' last seven matches in all competitions have all been won by the home side on the day. The Falcons have won their last three games at Kingston Park since their 10-16 defeat there by Exeter in Aviva Premiership Rugby on 7 January.

Harlequins continue to top the Aviva Premiership Rugby table despite three defeats in their last six fixtures. Quins have lost their last four away games in all competitions.

The Falcons have won just one of their last six Premiership encounters against Harlequins: 33-18 at Kingston Park in this equivalent fixture last season.

Newcastle Director of rugby Gary Gold has made two changes as he aims to make it four consecutive victories on home soil.

Adriaan Fondse returns to the engine room after serving his one week suspension for an altercation with Delon Armitage during the Falcons 19-10 victory over London Irish a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile giant Samoan international Taiasina Tu'ifua gets the nod at blindside flanker with Ally Hogg moving to No. 8 and Mark Wilson dropping to the bench.

New signings James Goode and Adam Balding are amongst the replacements.

"It is going to be a fantastic night at Kingston Park with tickets priced at just £10 adults and you can bring your kids along for just £5 so hopefully we will get a big crowd behind us," said Gold.

The South African chief added: "It will certainly make a huge difference if we can get a big crowd here for the match. I hope it is going to be a cracking game and I am confident that our boys are going to front up this Friday night.

"If we front up and stick to our game-plan and we execute things to the level that we are striving for, hopefully the scoreboard will be in our favour.

"What Conor O'Shea has built at Harlequins is incredible considering his side came back from relegation just a few years ago.

"I can only imagine what a fantastic environment it must be down at Harlequins."

Harlequins have named Mike Brown, Jordan Turner-Hall and Joe Marler for this weekend's clash .

Having won two of their last three Aviva Premiership games and after securing an important losing bonus point against Gloucester, Quins will look to finish off the four game block of fixtures in a positive manner.

Brown starts at full back with Ugo Monye and Tom Williams occupy the wings. Jordan Turner-Hall and George Lowe continue in the centres alongside Nick Evans at Fly half. Danny Care starts at scrum half, with Karl Dickson looking to impact from the bench.

Marler and James Johnston are partnered in the front row with Chris Brooker, as Joe Gray picked up an injury against Gloucester last week.

Olly Kohn and Tomas Vallejos complete the front five, while Luke Wallace returns to the starting line up at open side flanker. Nick Easter continues as captain at number 8 while Tom Guest completes the back row.

Date : Friday 2nd March
Venue : Kingston Park
Kick Off :7.45pm
Live on : ESPN
Referee: Andrew Small (67th Premiership game)

Teams

Newcastle

15 Greg Goosen, 14 Tom Bedford, 13 Jamie Helleur, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Jeremy Manning, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Pilgrim, 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Rob Vickers, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 5 Tim Swinson, 6 Taiasina Tu'ifua, 7 Will Welch, 8 Ally Hogg

Replacements: 16 Michael Mayhew, 17 Jonny Golding, 18 Ashley Wells, 19 James Goode, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Adam Balding, 22 Will Chudley, 23 Alex Tait

Harlequins

15. Mike Brown , 14. Tom Williams , 13. George Lowe , 12. Jordan Turner-Hall , 11. Ugo Monye , 10. Nick Evans , 9. Danny Care, 8. Nick Easter (C), 7. Luke Wallace , 6. Tom Guest , 5. Tomas Vallejos , 4. Olly Kohn, 3. James Johnston , 2. Chris Brooker, 1. Joe Marler

Replacements:16 Rob Buchanan , 17 Mark Lambert , 18 Tim Fairbrother , 19 Pete Browne , 20 Will Skinner , 21 Karl Dickson , 22 Rory Clegg , 23 Matt Hopper