Argentina centres Matias Moroni and Matias Orlando have both been drafted straight into Newcastle‘s starting line-up as they chase a first win of the season against Bristol Bears.
The duo played a key part in Argentina’s solid performance in this year’s Rugby Championship, which finished last week in defeat to South Africa.
But like the Argentina side who lost their last three games of the tournament, they come into a team that is on the same run, with Newcastle failing to win their first three games.
Explaining the decision to start both of his returning Pumas, Walder said: “When players of that quality become available you’ve just got to pick them.
“They landed on Monday evening, they were training with the team on Tuesday and they’ve just slotted straight in.
“Matias Orlando is obviously familiar with a lot of what we do having been with us for a couple of seasons already, and even during their time away with Argentina I’ve been speaking to them both regularly and communicating around what we’re trying to do with the team here.”
Elsewhere in the backs, Tom Penny makes his first start of the season at full-back after returning from injury off the bench last weekend at Worcester Warriors, while fit-again Sam Stuart comes in at nine.
Skipper Will Welch returns on the blind-side flank having missed the Warriors defeat due to illness, with Sean Robinson moving into the second row.
On the bench there is a return for Samoan international prop Logovi’i Mulipola and centre Pete Lucock, with the Falcons out for a repeat of the 13-5 home victory they enjoyed over Bristol on their last visit to the North-East.
Bristol have made five changes to their team, as they search for a fourth-straight win to stay top of the league.
Jack Bates (above) returns at outside centre, while Henry Purdy starts on the wing and Rich Lane switches to full-back.
Piers O’Conor moves to inside centre alongside Bates, and Andy Uren gets his first start of the season at scrum-half.
The only change in the pack sees Ellis Genge earn a well-deserved rest, with Jake Woolmore stepping up to start and Yann Thomas filling in the gap on the bench.
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