Newcastle bidding for first league win over Wasps in six years
Newcastle will target a first league victory over Wasps for six years when the clubs meet at Kingston Park on Friday.
Wasps, seven places and nine points above Newcastle in the Gallagher Premiership, boast a 10-game unbeaten league record against the Falcons.
"Wasps are a side we've struggled to beat in recent years, a little bit like Worcester were before we put that record to bed two weeks ago," Newcastle rugby director Dean Richards said.
"We've had a good look at things and we are working hard to come away with the spoils, but we're under no illusions because it is going to take a big effort against a good side.
"Wasps are a force, and they score a lot of points. Maybe defence isn't always their primary focus, but all they have ever endeavoured to do is score more points than the opposition, and they are very effective at it."
Newcastle have claimed a solitary victory from their first four Premiership games, and Richards added: "We knew the first six weeks were always going to be difficult, and what will be will be in that regard.
"At the same time, we are playing reasonable rugby. We are not always seeing that reflected in the result, and therein lies the frustration for the players and coaches.
"Sometimes, we can let those frustrations fester a little bit, but you don't really want those feelings to hang around. We want to crack on, put the previous game to bed regardless of the result and then get on with the next one.
"In terms of the Premiership as a whole, you look at the top two in Saracens and Exeter and you pretty much know they're going to be up there at the end of the season, but below that it's dog eat dog. I think everybody on their day can beat each other."
Newcastle are bolstered by the return of wings Vereniki Goneva and Sinoti Sinoti for Wasps' visit. Goneva has been sidelined for a fortnight due to injury, while Sinoti missed last week's defeat against Exeter.
Wasps rugby director Dai Young has made six changes from the side that beat Sale Sharks last weekend, including first starts of the season for wing Marcus Watson, scrum-half Joe Simpson and flanker Ben Morris.
Elliot Daly, Dan Robson and Nathan Hughes are all on the bench after being involved in an England training camp earlier this week, while full-back Rob Miller replaces Willie Le Roux, who is on Test duty with South Africa this weekend.
Young said: "Defensively, Newcastle take a lot of breaking down. We will need to keep the ball for multiple phases. They don't get broken much off first phase, and you have got to look after the ball.
"Set-piece wise, we will be tested. They've got a lot of the old Leicester tradition in Newcastle, but the way they play the game is exciting as well. They play the ball with real width, moving it from one touchline to another looking for opportunities.
"They have certainly got some real weapons out wide, and we know it's going to be a tough game. They've played all the big boys this season, and I think they've been a bit unlucky. They have pushed them close."
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