NEWCASTLE Falcons scrum-half James Grindal has claimed his side's much-improved pack are ready to claim their biggest scalp of the season tomorrow afternoon.

Grindal will make his tenth start of the campaign as Newcastle look to upset three-time Premiership champions Wasps at the Causeway Stadium.

After starting the season slowly, the Falcons have found their feet in recent weeks as they have embarked on a timely seven-game unbeaten run.

And, while Rob Andrew's side have always been renowned for their exciting backs, it is an improvement up front that has been the catalyst for their sudden upturn in form.

"It's been a good run, and I've enjoyed every minute of it," said Grindal, who has profited from the medial knee ligament injury picked up by Hall Charlton in October's win over Borders.

"The improvement in the pack has been the main factor, as a scrum half, and with the conditions in the last few weeks, we've been forced to play a more forward-oriented game. They have really fronted up and played well, so it makes my job much easier.

"Confidence-wise, the pack are starting to believe in themselves more and, while the backs have scored most of the tries, anyone watching will know it's the forwards who have won those matches.

"It's a very noticeable change in attitude really. They now go in to games not just believing that they're going to try and hold their own, but they're going to steamroller the opposition.

"Clearly, Wasps are an excellent team, so we're not expecting an easy ride on Sunday. But we have a pack and a team now which is definitely capable of competing with them and pushing them all the way."

Last weekend's 21-15 win over Worcester underlined Newcastle's combative qualities, and the likes of Micky Ward, Owen Finegan and Colin Charvis will have to be on their mettle again if the Falcons are to repeat November's surprise two-point success over tomorrow's opponents.

"We need to play an all-round game," said Grindal. "That includes involving the forwards, getting them hitting the ball up, running angles off me and then spreading it wide quickly when we get the chance.

"The weather conditions this weekend won't be anything like the rain, wind and cold we had up here when we played Wasps in November. We know they are an extremely physical team, though, and will be a massive test for us.

"That game was the one that started our winning run off, and we want to keep it going.

"Wasps and Sale are undoubtedly the form sides in the league at the moment, and Wasps' key players all seem to be hitting form in the last few matches, so we know the size of the challenge in front of us even if we're not daunted by it."

The individual threat facing Grindal is no less daunting. In Eoin Reddan and Matt Dawson, Wasps boast two of the best scrum-halves in the English game.

"Reddan played up here in November and has started most of their recent matches," said Grindal. "But, if Dawson plays, our forwards will have to watch for him around the fringes where he likes to have a go.

"He'll probably admit he's not as sharp as he used to be, but he's a very fiery customer and I would still put him in the top two scrum halves in the Premiership.

"It's a big test for me and I'll have to be on the ball but it's not intimidating at all."