Tait joined up with former Border Reivers colleague Steve Bates

Newcastle Falcons coach Alan Tait says he is working hard to build an attacking mindset within the players at Kingston Park this season.

Tait, 43, joined Steve Bates's backroom staff as a defence coach but maintains that the aim as a group is go out to win matches with flair and style.

"I try to get them to use defence as an attack, I want us to go at teams," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We want to be attacking as much as we are defending, we want to be exciting."

Falcons were handed a morale-sapping 44-14 defeat by Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday, but with home advantage for Friday's visit of Bristol, Tait is confident of sealing a second win of the campaign.

"We're very confident, everyone knows how important the Bristol game is," he said.

"We had a good win against Northampton, I hope the crowd get behind the boys and I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

"Everyone's getting over their knocks and bruises and we'll get ready to knock Bristol off."