The visitors knock-on at the scrum and Falcons are awarded a penalty.

At this early stage they go for goal to ease any nerves, and Sonatane Takulua kicks between the posts with a monstrous effort.

We're three minutes in.

Image source, Getty Images

Joel Hodgson gets things started for the hosts.

Falcons might be in mid-table obscurity but they still have hopes of a top-six finish, so will be no pushovers for Sarries.

The players are about to emerge at Kingston Park - it's a beautiful afternoon in the north-east.

Sun is shining across two-thirds of the pitch - let's hope for some more attractive rugby than we've seen elsewhere this weekend in more challenging conditions.

You can listen along to coverage of both of today's Premiership games via BBC Local Radio.

BBC Newcastle are at Newcastle v Saracens, while there's a choice of BBC Hereford & Worcester or BBC Bristol for the Worcester v Bristol game at 15:00 GMT.

Simply make your choice above and you can listen along while following our text updates.

There's also commentary on Cornish Pirates' match against Jersey Reds and Yorkshire Carnegie v London Irish in the Championship.

The big news for Saracens is the return of number eight Billy Vunipola, who has been out since November with a knee injury.

Jackson Wray moves to blindside flanker, with Joel Conlon at openside.

Sean Maitland has recovered from a rib injury sustained in the defeat by Gloucester to take his place on the left wing.

Kelly Brown will make his 150th appearance for Saracens if he features from the bench.

Image source, BBC Sport

Replacements:  Saunders, Barrington, Du Plessis, Flanagan, Brown, Spencer, Malins, Earle.

Image source, Rex Features

Sarries supporters are probably fairly relaxed about their side finishing in the top four, but international call-ups have disrupted their campaign.

It's only one Premiership win from their last four, and anything but victory at Newcastle this afternoon would leave a little gap to second-placed Exeter.

A third or fourth-placed finish would mean an away semi-final, probably at either Wasps or Exeter, and that could hinder Saracens' hopes of making the final and defending their title.

Mark Wilson returns in the Newcastle Falcons back row, having missed the recent trip to Exeter Chiefs through illness.

Kyle Cooper and Jon Welsh replace Ben Sowrey and Scott Wilson in the front row, with Juan Pablo Socino at centre.

Image source, BBC Sport

Replacements:  Lawson, Harris, D Wilson, Hogg, Chick, Egerton, Delany, Harris.

Image source, Rex Features

Four matches have already been played in round 17 of the Premiership.

On Friday night  Exeter moved one point behind Premiership leaders Wasps with a bonus-point win at Leicester Tigers, while  Northampton boosted their play-off chances with a bonus-point win at strugglers Sale.

Yesterday's action saw  Wasps extend their lead at the top with a Kurtley Beale-inspired victory against fellow play-off hopefuls Bath, while  Harlequins scored 15 points in the final eight minutes against 14-man Gloucester to clinch a dramatic victory at Kingsholm.

The capitulation from the Cherry and Whites led to head coach Laurie Fisher hinting at his departure on social media, after he referred to making "room for someone else" in the role on social media.

Image source, Rex Features

People weren't expecting him to return quite so quickly, but Sarries and England fans will be pleased to see number eight Billy Vunipola back in action this afternoon.

Sidelined since November with a knee injury, the 24-year-old's recovery has progressed quicker than expected. 

All being well Vunipola will then be in contention to face Scotland on 11 March, or Ireland a week later - he could be crucial as Eddie Jones' side chase a grand slam.

Image source, Getty Images and Rex Features

The media are often accused of over-hyping things, but there's no doubting that this is a day which could have massive ramifications at both the top and bottom of the Premiership.

First we have champions Saracens in action at mid-table Newcastle - Sarries needing victory to close their 11-point gap to leaders Wasps and increase their chances of a home semi-final in the play-offs.

However the big one comes later as Bristol have the chance to move off the bottom of the table for the first time in what feels like forever - they're at 11th-placed Worcester, who are just two points above them.

Sit back and enjoy.