A third injury for Newcastle already - this time it's the play-maker Joel Hodgson. It means Juan-Pablo Socino is on at fly-half.

After a false start as Leicester try to take a quick penalty - but were called back after the kicking tee had already been brought on, the Tigers have to go for three.

Right in front of the posts from close range and no mistake from George Ford so we are all square.

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Leicester are starting to get the bigger share of possession.

They have a third lineout towards the Falcons 22. They've made a mess of the first two, but the third is on the money and the Tigers forwards head towards the Falcons 22.

Tigers have a lineout deep in Newcastle territory, but Leicester make a hash of it and the Falcons will have a scrum on their own 22.

Meanwhile Newcastle prop Scott Wilson has failed his HIA so Trevor Davison will stay on for the duration.

Ellis Genge knocks on and another Leicester attack comes to an end.

But Telusa Veainu is looking really dangerous for the home side. The full-back is constantly probing the Newcastle defence with ball in hand and is looking rather slippery this evening.

Leicester have the possession again - they look really threatening with ball in hand.

But as I say that George Ford goes for a drop goal and makes a real mess of it. Not quite sure why he did that - 40m out in pouring rain in a decent position, it's not like it was the dying embers of the game....

Meanwhile Sean Robinson is coming off for Newcastle. The Falcons flanker is replaced by Will Witty.

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Joel Hodgson converts a three-pointer from distance and Newcastle take the lead again.

Meanwhile Wilson comes off, it's for a head injury assessment so he could come back. Trevor Davison is on in his place.

We have a bit of a wait here for a Newcastle penalty as their prop Scott Wilson is down with an injury. It does give us a chance to catch our breath though after a fast-paced start to this clash.

You can tell how much this game means to both sides here. Both teams know that if they lose their play-off hopes could be over - you can feel the intensity early in this game.

Leicester immediately come back at Newcastle. Brendon O'Connor makes a great break and the home side are camped deep in the Falcons 22....

We are under way here at Welford Road. George Ford kicking off for Leicester.

The atmosphere is mounting here as round 21 of the Premiership is set to start.

With a play-off place up for grabs both sides will be desperate to win this one - which way will it go?

If you want live commentary of this evening's game, then can choose to listen to audio from two BBC local radio stations.

Just click on either the BBC Radio Newcastle or BBC Radio Leicester tab at the top of this page.

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With two rounds of Premiership matches left, five sides have a chance of making it to the post-season play-offs.

Champions Exeter are assured of a home semi-final while Saracens can lock-in second place with a win in either of their two remaining games.

But then it gets interesting....

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Wasps face Northampton at home and Newcastle away - two wins and they could go second, but will definitely be third. One Wasps win would eliminate Sale, even if they cause an upset and win at Exeter on Saturday.

Leicester take on Sale next week, so a win this evening and next Saturday would ensure they made the play-offs in at least fourth place.

But you would suggest that if Newcastle won tonight's encounter at Leicester it would all but end the Tigers' hopes of making the top four. It is in Dean Richards' side's own hands as they also face Wasps, so two wins with at least one bonus point and they guarantee third.

Gloucester on paper have a tough route to the last four - they host West Country rivals Bath on Saturday and then go to Saracens on the final day. But if Saracens have second place wrapped up could they rest their stars and give the Cherry and Whites a chance?

But... Gloucester are the only side in the shake-up for the final two play-off places who do not face at least one other rival, so two wins will definitely see them leapfrog at least one side above them. Two bonus-point wins and Gloucester could well end up fourth.

Sale need favours from other sides - even if they beat Exeter and Leicester in their final two games they need Leicester to beat Newcastle this evening and then hope results go their way on the final day when they host the Tigers.

Rather complicated isn't it - and don't even get us started on the permutations if teams start to draw matches.....

England centre Manu Tuilagi returns to Leicester's line-up for the first time in a month after injuring a pectoral muscle against Wasps.

It will be the injury-prone 26-year-old's 12th start of the season in all competitions - his highest number of starts since the 2012-13 season.

Tuilagi, is one of three returning from injury along with Brendon O'Connor and Mike Williams.

Newcastle make four changes with fit-again captain Will Witty coming in after missing the last two months.

Ex-Leicester winger Vereniki Goneva returns to the side to face his former club, while fellow danger man Sinoti Sinoti is back and Ally Hogg gets the nod at number eight.

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Hello and welcome to tonight's live coverage of Leicester v Newcastle on BBC Sport.

The Tigers and the Falcons both know a victory this evening will go a long way to sealing a place in the end-of-season play-offs, with the loser likely to need snookers if they want a chance of playing at Twickenham.

We will have all the permutations of who can make the last four and how in a bit, but first here's the team news....

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