The Falcons will arrive at Rodney Parade tomorrow night for an appointment with Newport Gwent Dragons, having lost injured talisman Jonny Wilkinson possibly until the New Year.

It ends a difficult week for Newcastle, who have shipped 83 points and 10 tries in their last two away games.

But the Dragons will be in no mood for sympathy, with 35-year-old Charvis likely to make an appearance off the replacements’ bench.

Wales’ most capped forward spent two seasons at Kingston Park before moving to the Dragons, where he recently took up a position as contact and defence skills coach.

Dragons coach Paul Turner though, has named Charvis among the substitutes as the Welsh region look to build on successive Magners League wins against Ulster and Edinburgh.

Turner said: “When we sat down in the summer, it was always envisaged that Colin would have some game time this season.

“He played a small part in our pre-season game against Bedford in August, and has kept himself in condition with a game in Tonga, and more recently the Help for Heroes game at Twickenham.

“Colin is well aware of the challenge that any Anglo-Welsh fixture brings, and this fixture provides an extra incentive against one of his former teams.”