THERE will be a genuine northern atmosphere at Kingston Park on Sunday afternoon and Dean Richards thinks Newcastle Falcons can capitalise on it when Danny Cipriani and Co come to town.

The Falcons head in to the game with the Sale Sharks (kick-off 3.15pm) on the back of a decent 20-10 win over Gloucester eight days ago but the Sharks are also high in confidence having overcome Harlequins on the same night.

The major change to the side from that night for the Falcons is that hooker Scott Lawson, sidelined with an adductor injury, is replaced by George McGuigan. Samoan international Kane Thompson is also set for his debut after two months out through injury.

But Richards, the Falcons' director of football, thinks his players can shine. He said: “There is a buzz around the place right now but the boys are realistic about what is in front of them. But you don’t get given anything at this level. We are under no illusions that will be a tough day at the office.

“Both sides are in decent form and we have made no bones about the fact that we want the north as a region to be more than fighting its weight when it comes to the Premiership.”

Josh Furno, the Italian international, is named on the bench after it was confirmed that both Calum Green and Dom Barrow stay in the team, but Richards is wary of the big threats posed by the Sharks.

He said: “Sale are a quality side who are going well at the moment and they had a really good win down at Harlequins.

“Danny Cipriani is heavily involved in a lot of their good work, they have a strong pack with plenty of English players and their returning international contingent includes good runners like Johnny Leota.”

Sale will have former England winger Mark Cueto back in their ranks on Tyneside as well as Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter. Richards said: “They will be a tough nut to crack.”

Falcons: Tait, Sinoti, Tiesi, Socino, Tuilagi, Clegg, Blair; Vickers, McGuigan, Tomaszcyyk, Green, Barrow, Wilson, Saull, Hogg. Replacements: Rogers, Fry, Wilson, Thompson, Furno, Fury, Powell, Hammersley.