DEAN Richards doesn’t have anything to prove at Newcastle, according to former Falcon John Bentley, but he’s still tipping the one-time England international to guide his old side back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.

Richards returned to coaching with Newcastle this summer after three years in the wilderness in familiar territory, having also taken charge of Harlequins in 2004 following their relegation to the Championship.

Under Richards’ stewardship, Quins wasted little time in returning to the top flight, losing just one game all season before going on to win their first Premiership title last year.

And Bentley, who won promotion from the Championship in 1997 with Newcastle, before going on to win the Premiership crown a year later, believes Richards’ Falcons, who have won their opening five matches, are to be feared this season.

“It’s going to make it even more difficult for us this time with not only having Newcastle to go up against but with Dean Richards in charge of them,” said Bentley, who is Leeds Carnegie’s business development manager.

“I think it’s the most difficult league in the land to win but going up against a team coached by Dean Richards at any level adds that something extra.

“The incentive is their within the club to get back to the Premiership because that is where Newcastle feel they belong.

“I am not sure if there is any extra incentive for Dean to show what he is made of after what has happened, and I don’t think that matters.

“But if there is, then we better watch out because Dean Richards and Newcastle are big names and they will be eager to put last season behind them as quickly as possible.”

Question marks remain over whether Richards’ imposed exile will affect his ability to coach in the English topflight again – he has been away for three seasons – but Bentley has no doubts.

Newcastle have started this season like an express train, enjoying a 100 per cent start to life in the Championship, including last weekend’s 53-10 win against Bentley’s Leeds.

But while confident of a Newcastle return to the Premiership at the first time of asking, they face a trip to Moseley tomorrow, Bentley has warned the Falcons about the strength of this season’s Championship and not getting carried away.

“He will have an impact at Newcastle, because that’s the type of guy he is,” added Bentley, who is an SSE Rugby Energy ambassador.

“People have questioned how current he will be, I guess it remains to be seen how much the game has moved on while he has been away but I know he has the tools to cope and inspire Newcastle.

“I am sure he has kept in touch on how the game is and the way teams are playing.

“In previous seasons it has been a guarantee that the relegated club from the Premiership would immediately earn promotion back at the first time of asking but not anymore because the Championship is so competitive.

“Newcastle had a great finish to last season but a lot of the damage in terms of results was done in the first half of the year.

“They’re a club with huge potential on and off the field, but only if they get it right and that’s the job Dean needs to get sorted.

“It’s getting harder and harder to get out of the Championships right now with the play-offs and the growing strength of the league.

“At Leeds we didn’t take the Championship for granted, we knew it was going to be tough and we knew we were going to have a fight on our hands to get out.

“But just how strong it really was still was a bit of a shock and I fear for Newcastle should they not get promoted this season, I really do.”