Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards believes Gary Graham "is very much like his father" as the Cumbrian prepares to make his Aviva Premiership debut at Wasps.

Falcons' Gary will follow in the footsteps of his dad George, a Scottish international prop who was a Premiership title winner with Newcastle in 1998, after featuring prominently in cup action since his summer arrival from Jersey Reds.

Frenchman Maxime Mermoz will also make his first Aviva Premiership start for the club, Simon Hammersley returns from injury and England international Toby Flood starts at fly-half this evening (5.15pm kick-off).

One man who will not be involved, though, is winger Adam Radwan.

But even in his absence, former England and British and Irish Lions international Richards was at pains to point out the progress the likes of Radwan and Graham are making.

"There’s no doubt about it that Adam is outstanding from a finishing point of view, and he has gas to burn," he said to Newcastle's website.

"He reminds me very much of myself when I was a player - I wish.

"But he’s adapting, adjusting and working on the areas of his game where he knows he needs to improve. He is getting on with that job at the moment and he is just one of a number of guys who have shone in the cups.

"Gary Graham is another, and he comes in for a well-deserved Premiership debut. He is very much like his father in that he is a real no-nonsense player, he has no airs and graces and is someone who just gets on with it."

Former Carlisle Rugby Club and Gala man Graham grounded the bonus-point try in Falcons' 53-41 Anglo-Welsh Cup win at Wasps earlier this month.

Mark Wilson, who began his junior rugby career at Penrith, is also in the Newcastle line-up.

Meanwhile, Carlisle-born Chris Harris is named as a replacement after missing out on making the Scotland squad for their match against New Zealand, while Jon Welsh is named in the starting 15.

Bothel's Rob Miller is named as a replacement by Wasps.