I can tell you it was a pretty scary moment Falcons chief Rob Andrew

The club's director of rugby, Rob Andrew, who is leading his squad on their 10-day tour of Japan, said it was a frightening experience.

"I was in the dining room in the basement, and I can tell you it was a pretty scary moment," he said.

"These sort of things are part of everyday life in Japan."

Andrew added that he was reassured by the calmness of their hosts.

"The buildings here are designed to withstand these earthquakes, and in fairness there was not even the smallest bit of damage done to the hotel," he said

"The hotel staff and the public just got on with their business."

Steve Black, the club's fitness and conditioning coach, was having a bath at the time the earthquake hit.

"It was actually quite a terrifying experience when all the waves started in the bathroom," he said.

"But we were lucky to be so far away from the epicentre, and we're assured by the locals here that it was just a bit of a wobble, which happens quite a bit."

Having arrived on Monday, the Falcons will undergo intense training sessions before playing Japanese champions NEC Green Rockets on Saturday and Toyota Blitz next Tuesday.