Dowson confident for Bristol game

Dowson is confident of a win but is coy of the idea of immediate safety

Newcastle Falcons captain Phil Dowson is optimistic his team can return from Friday's crucial Premiership trip to fellow strugglers Bristol victorious.

Falcons are five points clear of bottom-of-the-table Bristol and two points off 10th-placed Worcester, who have a game in hand.

"There's confidence in the team that we can win," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It is going to be pretty passionate and pretty fiery but we are prepared for that."

But he also warned his team-mates that victory at the Memorial Stadium will not necessarily guarantee the club's safety in the Guinness Premiership.

"There's no reason for us to believe that if we win this game then it's a nail in Bristol's coffin," he said.

After the international break handed the Falcons a crucial rest period, the urgency of the task in hand has been reflected in this week's training sessions.

"It's been pretty fiery and feisty in training," Dowson added.

"People want to be picked for this game which is good, people want to stand up and be counted.

"To have a full squad and everybody raring to go is fabulous."