NEWCASTLE FALCONS are hoping to set a new world record in the Kingston Park stands tonight – and Andy Saull is confident of engineering further success on the pitch against Gloucester.

Tonight’s Aviva Premiership game has been tagged “Bringing The Noise”, with the club hoping to set a new record for the world’s loudest rugby crowd.

With representatives from Newcastle City Council on hand to provide verification, Falcons are hoping a bumper crowd of around 7,000 will help to raise the roof before kick-off.

It is hoped tonight’s attendance will surpass 7,074, currently the biggest home crowd since the club returned to the Premiership after winning the Championship title, and Saull is confident the increased support will have an effect on the pitch.

“We’re all really excited for it,” said the back rower. “Gloucester were beaten by Harlequins last weekend and we really think we can take them down again.

“They might be missing one or two with the internationals, and with the game being at home on a Friday night, it should be a cracker.

“When you’re playing, it’s brilliant when there’s a really good atmosphere. A smaller atmosphere can be quite eerie at times.

“The more noise, people and energy there is, the more excited you get as a player and teams definitely respond to it, especially when it’s coming from a home crowd.”

Saull captained Falcons during last weekend’s 23-14 defeat to Bath, but fellow back rower Ally Hogg will take over the armband this evening as director of rugby Dean Richards makes six changes in personnel and a further two positional alterations.

Alex Tait replaces Simon Hammersley at full-back, with Mike Blair coming in for Ruki Tipuna and Rory Clegg assuming fly-half duties as Juan Pablo Socini moves to inside centre in place of Adam Powell.

A new-look front row sees Scott Lawson and Oliver Tomaszczyk move up from the bench to replace George McGuigan and Scott Wilson, while Hogg will look to build on his successful return from injury last weekend as he starts at number eight.

Newcastle Falcons: Tait, Sinoti, Tiesi, Socino, Alesana Tuilagi, Clegg, Blair; Vickers, Lawson, Tomaszczyk, Green, Barrow, M Wilson, Saull, Hogg.

Replacements: McGuigan, Rogers, S Wilson, Robinson, York, Fury, Powell, Hammersley.