Paul Moriarty joined Newcastle Falcons as forwards coach in May 2010

Newcastle Falcons coach Paul Moriarty says his forwards must take responsibility for underperforming.

Falcons are currently second from bottom of the Aviva Premiership.

Moriarty told BBC Newcastle: "It's been very disappointing. They haven't given the backs the platform that they should be giving them."

Newcastle face Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup on 22 January but cannot qualify from Pool Three after losing to Montpellier last week.

As forwards coach, Moriarty says he takes some personal responsibility for his forwards' disappointing outings: "I think it's a poor reflection on myself, I feel really hurt at times at some of the things I'm seeing on the field.

"But at the end of the day it's down to professional sportsmen to go out there and perform and put in a performance that's acceptable."

Moriarty also had criticism for the team as a whole.

"After last Friday's lack of performance, [a 6-0 defeat by Montepellier on 14 January] we sat down on Monday as a group, and the main thing we were trying to get across is the lack of enthusiasm from the group," he said.

"We're hoping that what was discussed on Monday will get a reaction from the group.

"They know that they didn't perform and disappointed themselves and we're hoping to see a totally different reaction to the way we played last Friday."

Like Newcastle, Bourgoin are in a relegation battle, but despite their lowly league position and relatively unknown squad, Moriarty is not underestimating the opposition.

It's the not the biggest European competition by far and it's a competition we've looked at to give people the opportunity to play senior rugby Paul Moriarty

"I've been going to France now since 1996," he said. "And I don't think I've ever been there and played against a French side that's been poor.

"I'm aware of Bourgoin, their potential and what they can do.

"We need to go there and starting putting some performances in for Newcastle Rugby Club so that by the time we get back to LV= Cup and Aviva Premiership, we've got a bit of shape about ourselves again.".

A loss to Bourgoin could see Newcastle finish bottom of their group, but Moriarty says that will not stop him from giving younger players, such as 18-year-old half-back Joel Hodgson, first team experience.

"It's disappointing if you do finish bottom, but it's not the end of the world if you do," he said.

"It's the not the biggest European competition by far and it's a competition we've looked at to give people the opportunity to play senior rugby.

"If that means us finishing bottom to give players that type of exposure, that's great."

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