NEWCASTLE FALCONS are coming to Darlington next month.

The Falcons have confirmed they will open their pre-season friendly schedule by taking on Greene King IPA Championship side Nottingham on Saturday, August 6 at Darlington Mowden Park’s The Northern Echo Arena (kick-off 3pm).

Tickets are priced £10 for adults and £5 for juniors, and are available by calling 0871 226 6060. Supporters are advised this game is not included in Newcastle Falcons’ 2016-17 season ticket membership package.

Having moved the game 43 miles down the A1(M) to the 25,000-capacity venue, Newcastle Falcons’ managing director Mick Hogan said: “We recognise and value the support of those in the south of our region, and this game in many ways is an acknowledgement of that.

“We know Darlington Mowden Park is a top-class venue having moved our Premiership 7s tournament down there two years ago - this game is a joint venture between ourselves and Mowden and it is good for both clubs.

“It adds further variety to our pre-season programme given all the other events we have at Kingston Park Stadium either side of that weekend, and from a playing point of view it is a great way in which to begin our match preparations towards the start of the Aviva Premiership in the first week of September.”

Lee Rust, managing director of Darlington Mowden Park, said: "We’re delighted to announce another high-profile sporting fixture for this summer and to once again be working in partnership with Newcastle Falcons.

"The following for rugby in Darlington and the immediate region has grown remarkably in recent years. We’re looking forward to delivering another great occasion at the Arena and we hope our local sporting communities enjoy the opportunity to see both Premiership and Championship players in action."

Opponents Nottingham finished seventh in last season’s Greene King IPA Championship and are under new management following the appointment of Irishman Ian Costello as head coach.

This game comes a week after Kingston Park Stadium host the Singha Premiership 7s Series on the afternoon of Saturday, July 30, which sees the Falcons pooled with Leicester Tigers, Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks in their regional qualifier.

Adult and concession tickets for that event are priced £20 for premium seating and £10 for standard seating, with under-16s tickets just £5.

Season ticket memberships for the 2016-17 season are available from just £208 for adults, £176 concessions, £70 under-16s and free for under-11s (two per paying adult). To book call 0871 226 6060.