WITH the gap to safety now standing at a nervy nine points, Jordi Pasqualin is hoping Newcastle Falcons extend their fine recent record over Gloucester this evening.

Falcons’ survival battle became much more difficult last weekend when their own loss to Harlequins was accompanied by a Worcester win over Bath.

It is imperative that Alan Tait’s men begin to pick up points quickly, and tonight’s Kingston Park encounter offers a decent opportunity to record only a second Aviva Premiership success of the season.

Gloucester have failed to win on their last three visits to the North-East, and having spent three seasons at Kingsholm, Pasqualin is hoping to inflict further misery on his former employers.

“Gloucester haven’t won here for three seasons and we will be trying our best to make this the fourth,” said Pasqualin. “They are a quality side with great capability, but we can give them a good game and make the most of our home advantage.

“It’s a game I have been looking forward to and as a player you always want to put in a good performance if you’re playing against your old club.”

Having watched his side pass up a number of decent scoring opportunities against Harlequins, Tait has made seven changes to his starting line-up for tonight’s game.

Greg Goosen starts at fullback, while Corne Uys partners James Fitzpatrick in a new-look centre pairing.

Ryan Shortland gets the nod on the wing, with Grant Shiells and Euan Murray joining forces in the front row. Will Welch comes in at flanker to round off the changes.

Murray’s presence could be especially important, with Gloucester’s pack having looked vulnerable on more than one occasion this season.

“We have to focus on the job in hand and not think about the overall position that we’re in,” said the Scotland international. “It’s crucial that we concentrate on all of the individual aspects of the game.

“If you get a scrum you give it 100 per cent and if you get a line-out you give it 100 per cent.

“Gloucester are strong all over the pitch, with internationals throughout the team, and it will certainly be a big game. They play very direct and we have watched a bit of what they can do in moving the ball about. They have runners in the backs and a tight defence.”

NEWCASTLE FALCONS: Goosen, Hufanga, Uys, Fitzpatrick, Shortland, Gopperth, Pasqualin; Shiells, Mayhew, Murray, Hudson, van der Heijden, Tuifua, Welch, Hogg.

Replacements: Graham, Wells, Frazier, Fondse, Wilson, Pilgrim, Helleur, Catterick.