Both sides have been guilty of kicking away possession in the opening 10 minutes or so at the Madejski Stadium, with London Irish trying to take advantage of low sun in Simon Hammersley's eyes, but Chris Noakes is failing to execute the tactic. 

Newcastle are penalised for a high tackle, Nili Latu the culprit, and Chris Noakes has the first points of the game. 

Newcastle win the line-out but after going though 10 phases they struggle to break the gain line, insisting on attacking Irish's midfield and eventually they concede a penalty. It's Irish's turn to kick into Newcastle's half. 

Newcastle have made a confident start to this game but after going through nine phases a handling error sees them surrender possession, they win a penalty though and kick deep into the Irish half.

Newcastle's Craig Willis gets us underway at the Madejski Stadium. 

Andy Goode could make his Newcastle Falcons debut against London Irish, the club he left in pre-season without making an appearance because of injury worries.

The former Leicester, Wasps and England fly-half, 35, signed a three-month contract last month and is named among the Falcons replacements.

Image source, BBC Sport

Replacements: McGuigan, Rogers, Vea, Botha, Clever, Booth, Goode, Agulla.

Bottom-of-the-table London Irish recall Topsy Ojo at full-back with Sean Maitland (hamstring) out for two weeks.

Jebb Sinclair swaps places with Blair Cowan in the back row.

Image source, BBC Sport

Replacements: Cruse, Smallbone, Aulika, Trayfoot, Cowan, Allinson, Geraghty, Mulchrone.

Remember you can listen to today's Premiership and European games on BBC local radio, which is available here.

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Madejski Stadium

Glorious wintry sunshine in Berkshire for the meeting of the Premiership's bottom two.

A crunch game already for both sides, who switched places at the foot of the table last week.

Just one each so far and no bonus points. Falcons have a two-point lead over Irish courtesy of their draw against Sale.

Set to be a tense affair.

Starter: A relegation ding-dong between London Irish and Newcastle (13:00 GMT).

Entrée: A domestic dust-up with Wasps and Worcester (14:00 GMT).

Main course: Toulon host Bath in a battle of two European heavyweights (15:15 GMT).

Welcome to this afternoon’s Premiership and Champions Cup live text commentary.