Luke Fielden is among the players given an opportunity against Bourgoin

Newcastle Falcons development coach Richard Arnold is confident his players are capable of slotting into the first XV against Bourgoin on Thursday.

Head coach Alan Tait has named Mark Wilson, Joe Graham and Glen Townson among his starting line-up, with six more fringe players on the bench.

"We're playing at home, and you've got to front up against the French," Arnold told BBC Newcastle.

"I think there's enough experience and enough youth to give them a good game."

Following the visit of Bourgoin this week comes a trip to Montpellier seven days later, and Arnold is confident the experimental line-up can succeed away from Kingston Park.

"There's nothing better than going to France and playing a European game, and it gees you up more than a home game," he added.

"The French supporters with all their noise, it's a fantastic atmosphere.

"European games are what everyone aspires to, it's fantastic to play different sides, different styles of rugby, and with the big old French forward packs it will be a big clash."

The Kiwi, a former Falcons player, was drafted into Alan Tait's plans during the summer after spells at Westhoe and as director of rugby at Northumbria University.

"I've been doing it quite a well, but I'm really enjoying it," Arnold added.

"Working with Paul Moriarty and Alan Tait is fantastic at a professional level, I'm really bedding in now and starting to enjoy it."

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