Samoan powerhouse Alesana Tuilagi will make his Newcastle Falcons debut from the bench against Edinburgh on Friday despite only arriving at his new club this week.

The three-time Premiership winner is expected to be given around 15 minutes at the end of the Falcons’ final pre-season friendly, which takes place in the Scottish border town of Hawick.

Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, he said: “The jetlag is the main thing at the moment, but other than that I feel good to go.”

Younger brother Anitelea, a fellow Samoan international, will also feature from the bench against Edinburgh, Alesana having this week had the distraction of visiting Ireland to answer assault allegations dating back to 2011.

Currently on bail and due to return to court next month, the giant winger is looking on the positive side after rejoining to a league in which he has previously enjoyed huge success as a Leicester player.

The 33-year-old said: “This is a new challenge, and I want to test myself as well as helping the team achieve the success they are striving for.

“People know my style of rugby so it is no great secret, but I will just try and help the team however I can.

“Newcastle was always a tough place to come during my time with Leicester, although the weather at the moment is a bit better than I remember it!

“When I got the call from Dean Richards, who had contacted my brother Freddie, I knew I wanted to come. I am looking forward to it, and knowing Dean and John Wells from my time at Leicester is definitely a bonus. That is why I have come.”

Two frustrating years in Japan have at least ensured Tuilagi arrives with fresh legs, explaining: “The Premiership is a league that I love, and it seems to suit my style.

“Japan was a great experience in terms of taking my family there and trying something different, but it was frustrating at times with the rugby.

“The way their system works you can only have two foreigners in your starting team and two on the bench, and only two foreign guys can be on the field at any one time.

“That really reduced the amount of rugby I was able to play for the NTT club, but I have moved on and am looking forward now.”

Despite his Japanese season having finished at the beginning of March he believes he is in position to hit the ground running for the Falcons, adding: I have been training with local boys out in Samoa, and just going running to keep fit.

“I was delighted when I saw Leicester away was the first Premiership game to come out for us on September 6, and I just hope I get the chance to play.

“It would be nice to go back there in a Newcastle shirt.”

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NEWCASTLE FALCONS (v Edinburgh at Hawick RFC, Friday, 7.45pm): S Hammersley, N Cato, D Barnes, A Powell, T Catterick, JP Socino, M Blair; R Vickers, G McGuigan, O Tomaszczyk, C Green, D Barrow, M Wilson, W Welch (captain), A Hogg.

EDINBURGH: J Cuthbert, D Fife, S Beard, A Strauss, T Visser, G Tonks, S Hidalgo-Clyne; R Sutherland, R Ford, J Andress, F McKenzie, O Atkins, T Leonard, H Watson C du Preez.