Summary

  • FT: Newcastle 30-34 Wasps

  • Wasps move five points clear at the summit

  • Cipriani, Wade & Young touch down for Wasps in first half

  • Replacement Gopperth scores fourth try for visitors

  • Takulua & Watson cross inside opening four minutes for Falcons

  • Wilson scores bonus-point try for Falcons

  1. Kick-offpublished at 0 mins

    Newcastle 0-0 Wasps

    Joel Hodgson gets the match under way and it's Dan Robson that clears the lines for Wasps into the hands of Alex Tait. With the artificial surface and it being such a mild night we're set for plenty of running rugby. 

  2. Here we go!published at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2016

    Newcastle v Wasps (19:45 GMT)

    It's a crisp night in Newcastle for this Round 12 opener. The man in the middle is Tom Foley and he's taking charge of his 29th Premiership game. 

    The players are heading out onto the pitch, so as two of the nation's best-loved Geordies would say: "Let's Get Ready to Rumble!"

  3. Listen livepublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2016

    Newcastle v Wasps (19:45 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra will have every kick, pass and tackle from Kingston Park along with BBC Newcastle and BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.

    You can select your desired commentary at the top of this page.

    The teams are just making their way into the tunnel...

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2016

    #bbcrugby

    As ever our live text commentaries are about you guys getting involved as well.

    Is this the year Wasps stop the Saracens juggernaut? What would be a good season for Newcastle?

    Get in touch using #bbcrugby on Twitter.

  5. Team newspublished at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2016

    Newcastle v Wasps (19:45 GMT)

    Wasps have rotated their squad with Guy Thompson, Matt Symons, Josh Bassett, Kyle Eastmond and Dan Robson coming into their starting line-up.

    Flanker Thomas Young, son of Wasps director of rugby Dai, is set to make his 50th appearance for the club.  

    Wasps starting XV v Newcastle

    Replacements: Johnson, Bristow, Swainston, Rowlands, Rieder, Simpson, Gopperth, Armitage.  

  6. Team newspublished at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2016

    Newcastle v Wasps (19:45 GMT)

    Newcastle have made three changes from the defeat at Saracens on Christmas Eve.

    Will Witty and Opeti Fonua come into the pack while Belisario Agulla replaces Fred Burdon at outside centre.  

    Newcastle starting XV v Wasps

    Replacements: Sowrey, Harris, Wilson, Holmes, Welch, Egerton, Willis, Waldouck.  

  7. Wasps looking to go toppublished at 19:33 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2016

    Newcastle v Wasps (19:45 GMT)

    A single point will take second-placed Wasps above Saracens to the top of the Premiership this evening.

    However, Dai Young's men will surely want all five as they bid to win the title for the first time since 2008.

    In their way are a Falcons side who have arguably performed above expectations this season.

    They stand ninth with five wins already under their belts. Can they make it half a dozen against a much-changed Wasps side tonight?

    Kick-off is fast approaching.

  8. Festive feast continuespublished at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2016

    Newcastle v Wasps (19:45 GMT)

    So, does anyone know what day of the week it is yet? Nope, I haven't got a clue either.

    But asides from the Christmas confusion, what I can tell you for certain is that the feast of Premiership rugby continues this evening with an absolute cracker.

    High-flying Wasps visit a hugely competitive Newcastle Falcons side and we've got all the action from Kingston Park right here.

    Christian Wade WaspsImage source, Getty Images