Mark Wilson says Newcastle are still in fight to avoid releggation

The Falcons' fate will be sealed by Sunday night if they lose at home to Northampton without a bonus point on Friday and Leicester then beat Bristol and Worcester topple Gloucester.

But should they beat play-off hopefuls Saints, it would turn up the heat on 11th-placed Worcester, who are currently seven points above Newcastle, with Leicester a point better off in 10th.

"The important thing is that we are in a scrap now, and we've got to get up and carry on fighting," Newcastle and England flanker Wilson said ahead of his side's final three games.

"We are still in the fight - make no mistake about that. We can still have a big effect on what happens, and it's vital we remember that.

"Obviously now, there is an element of seeing what happens in other matches, but we are doing everything possible to take care of our own end to make sure we push it right down to the wire."

Fiji international number eight Nemani Nagusa returns to the Newcastle side, while one other change sees Callum Chick enter the back-row equation and Wilson moves to openside flanker. John Hardie misses out because of a shoulder injury.

Newcastle rugby director Dean Richards said: "It's a massive game - a must-win game.

"We know perfectly well where we are, what we've got to do and what is expected from us in terms of what we need to get out of Friday.

"Even then, you look at Worcester's run-in to the end of the season, and it's not that clear what they are going to get from those games.

"There is still a lot of hope there for us, and if we win on Friday, and even if Worcester do on Sunday, there is still a chance. I think it will go right up to the last game of the season."

Northampton are chasing a third successive Premiership away win for the first time since 2014, and victory would take them above Harlequins into fourth place.

Saints rugby director Chris Boyd said: "It's knockout rugby for everybody at the moment.

"I don't think there are very many teams that can sit back and say they don't have anything to play for in the next three games. They are crucial."

Friday's Premiership team news and stats

Newcastle (12) v Northampton (6)

Fiji international number eight Nemani Nagusa returns to the Newcastle side against Northampton at Kingston Park. One other change sees Callum Chick enter the back-row equation and Mark Wilson moving to openside flanker. John Hardie misses out because of a shoulder injury.

Northampton show just two changes from the side that beat Harlequins a fortnight ago. Wing Tom Collins takes over from an injured George Furbank, while centre Luther Burrell returns to action and partners Rory Hutchinson in midfield.

Last season: Newcastle 25 Northampton 22, Northampton 22 Newcastle 24

Last Six League Matches: Newcastle L W W W L L Northampton W L L W L W

Top try scorers: Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle) 6; Jacobus Reinach (Northampton) 11

Top goal scorers: Toby Flood (Newcastle) 128; Dan Biggar (Northampton) 214;

Sale (8) v Bath (7)

Sale are unchanged from the side edged out by La Rochelle in last weekend's European Challenge Cup semi-final. Sale boss Steve Diamond has retained a starting back-row of Ben Curry, Tom Curry and Jono Ross, with Josh Strauss on the bench, while wing Chris Ashton and centre James O'Connor also feature.

Anthony Watson returns to action for Bath after 13 months on the sidelines because of an Achilles injury. Watson has not played since last season's Six Nations, but he lines up in a Bath team that also sees starts for the likes of wing Joe Cokanasiga, centre Jamie Roberts and flanker Sam Underhill.

Last season: Bath 33 Sale 32, Sale 32 Bath 9

Last six league matches: Sale W L W L W L Bath L L W L W L

Top try scorers: Denny Solomona (Sale) 10; Joe Cokanasiga (Bath) 6;

Top points scorers: Robert Du Preez (Sale) 211; Freddie Burns (Bath) 135