Tait (left) has made big changes at Kingston Park, appointing Hudson (centre) as captain to replace the outbound Carl Hayman.

By Matt Newsum and Kevin Williams BBC Newcastle

It has been a summer of change at Kingston Park.

The departure of powerhouse Kiwi prop Carl Hayman for Toulon marked the end of an era of star names as he joined Jonny Wilkinson, Toby Flood and Mathew Tait on the list of players leaving the club in the last three seasons.

Those figures have been replaced by a mix of hard-working and skilful personnel, ranging from experienced top-level professionals to academy graduates and young talents plucked from the Championship.

Among the 14 new arrivals at Kingston Park this summer were Andy Henderson, a Scotland Test cap from Montauban, Munster fly-half Jeremy Manning and England under-20 centre Luke Eves, brought in from Bristol.

Behind the revolution is coach Alan Tait, a dual code British Lion whose fierce passion for attractive and successful rugby is being channelled through this new-look Falcons side.

Along with assistant Paul Moriarty and a host of specialist coaches and analysts, Tait has revamped the backroom set-up at the club, but it is on the field where the biggest impact is expected.

In the Falcons' pre-season run-out against Rotherham, established names including last season's Premiership top points scorer Jimmy Gopperth and Micky Ward found themselves on the bench, while players such as Manning, Will Welch and former Toulon man Tim Ryan got the nod.

There is a sense that reputations mean nothing, it is all about performances for Tait, who is prepared to stand by that policy when the new Premiership season starts on Friday against Sale at Edgeley Park.

"That selection would have shocked a few of the lads but that's what we see now," Tait told BBC Newcastle.

"We want competition for places, we've rewarded guys that have done really well through the summer and hopefully they've not carried injuries.

"They looked fresh and played well against Rotherham, so we'll give them a crack against Sale."

Hayman's departure has handed lock James Hudson the chance to lead the Falcons as captain for the 2010 season.

Manning is set to challenge Gopperth for fly-half duties

At 28-years-old and with spells at Bath and London Irish behind him, the England Saxon has a wealth of experience, and is impressed with the direction club is taking under Tait and his coaching team.

"My big thing personally is about the environment at the club improving," Hudson said.

"There have been a lot of small things, and big things which have changed, which have enabled the players to thrive in an environment which for a lot of the younger guys is very different to where they've been used to.

"I walked back in the gym the first day back and as soon as I walked in I had a smile on my face because I could see the guys working hard and how they were buying into that environment."

Under former coach Steve Bates, All Blacks giant Hayman was the cornerstone of a pack-driven, forwards-led brand of rugby.

But Tait preaches a different game, forged from ball skills and with an attacking approach.

"If you want to be a really good side, the forwards have got to be able to play rugby," Tait said.

"They've got to get into positions, where to go from the breakdown and making themselves available.

"Backs are asked to be more involved in contact stuff, and, as a back myself, why not get the forwards involved in carrying the ball and offloading?"

Other coaches at Premiership level, notably Bryan Redpath at Gloucester, have set themselves tough targets for the new campaign.

But Tait is reluctant to put pressure on himself or his players at this stage.

"People will say it's about the result, and we want that start, but I'm just looking for the performances to be right," he added.

"I've got certain bits in my head about how I want us to progress, but I haven't told the players yet, so I can't tell you."

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