Tu'ipulotu (left) and Afu will both miss the Premiership opener

Newcastle Falcons head coach Alan Tait is confident his side can cope with losing Tane Tu'ipulotu and Josh Afu for the start of the Premiership season.

Back-row Afu, 23, suffered a broken leg and ankle ligament damage on duty with Tonga while centre Tu'ipulotu, 29, has undergone a hip operation.

"We have some good depth in a number of positions, and that will be tested early on in the season," Tait said.

"We have quality guys in the squad who can come in and fight for the shirts."

Tait added: "It's a bitter blow so early into our pre-season, especially to lose guys like Josh and Tane who were both in serious contention for starting places."

Falcons' preparations have been further hampered by the earlier loss of fly-half Tom Catterick as he recovers from a shoulder operation, and a groin injury could rule out flanker Mark Wilson.

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