Newcastle have named a different front row among seven changes for the Guinness Premiership visit of high-flying Bath on Sunday.

Falcons coach John Fletcher has brought in props Jon Golding and Micky Ward, along with hooker Matt Thompson, to replace the trio of Joe McDonnell, Andy Long and David Wilson that were part of the team that went down 23-16 at Bristol last week.

The one other change to the pack sees Andy Perry step in for Jason Oakes in the second row. All four of the replaced players are on the bench.

In the backs, Andy Perry takes the place of James Grindal at scrum-half while Dutchman Tim Visser replaces Adam Dehaty at outside centre.

The Falcons have enjoyed a good start to the season despite having four senior players on World Cup duty with England and are lying fourth in the table after three wins in their first five games.

However, Fletcher admits the absence of Jonny Wilkinson, Matthew Tait, Jamie Noon - now injured - and Toby Flood, along with a number of injuries to key players, has severely tested his squad.

"Not only have we lost the England four, but injury also means we're without our captain Phil Dowson, our England Saxons flanker Ben Woods, an ex-All Black in Mark Mayerhofler and one of our best prospects in Andy Buist," explained Fletcher.

"That's almost half our first choice team because these guys are all big, big players for us, but that's the nature of the game these days and it's just a case of getting on with it without whingeing."

Bath are placed second after four wins.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport