Versatile back Manning lines up at fly-half against Quins

Newcastle Falcons head coach Alan Tait has placed his trust in Jeremy Manning to dictate play at fly-half in Saturday's LV= Cup trip to Harlequins.

Manning will start at number 10 in Tait's line-up as the Falcons look to avenge last month's 23-12 Premiership defeat by Conor O'Shea's side.

"Jeremy will be in the key position," Tait told BBC Newcastle.

"I've said to him I want us to put the onus on scoring some points down there, he knows the kind of play I want."

With European Challenge Cup and Premiership commitments also to fulfil, the Falcons coach is keen to spread the workload across his squad.

Tait has made 13 changes from last week's 18-17 defeat of Ospreys, with players such as Alex Tait, Michael Tait and Gcobani Bobo coming into the side with Jimmy Gopperth, Luke Fielden and Charlie Amesbury among those earning a rest.

"It's a great opportunity to get some of the youngsters and players doing well in the A-team a run out," Tait continued.

"The injuries have taken their toll, we're a couple of guys down again but we've got a massive game [against Gloucester] the week after.

"Rob [Vickers] was 80-20 to play, but I said it's a long way to travel and I wanted him to stay at home and rest because he'll start against Gloucester.

"There's been a couple of decisions like that where players need to rest and nurse their niggles rather than push them out this week.

"This gives some of the other lads an opportunity but this is what this competition is all about for us and it gives some of the other lads a chance, particularly the youngsters."

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