DEAN RICHARDS claims there is still plenty of room for improvement from his Newcastle Falcons side, despite their rise into the top four in the Aviva Premiership table.

Falcons are just four points off third-placed Wasps after securing a landmark win at Harlequins last weekend, and will attempt to take another huge step towards a European Champions Cup place when they travel to Gloucester this weekend.

Richards’ side beat Gloucester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup four weeks ago, claiming a bonus point victory as they ran out 31-19 winners.

They have lost just once in their last seven league games, but Richards claims they are far from the finished article.

“We have enjoyed some good results recently but we still feel there is more to come from the team,” said the Falcons director of rugby. “In the first half at Harlequins last weekend, we were not quite clinical enough in finishing off the many chances we created, although it was pleasing to see that rectified to a large extent during the second half.

"We know (the game) at Gloucester will be a tough challenge against a side who showed up very strongly when we played them at Kingston Park back in November, and their record at home this season just goes to show we will have to be at our best to repeat last season's result down there.”

Richards has made two changes to his starting line-up as the Falcons look to claim another win at Kingsholm, having triumphed 18-13 last season.

Ally Hogg replaces Mark Wilson on the blindside flank after the England international limped out of last weekend's win at Harlequins, while Sean Robinson replaces Will Witty in the second row.

Newcastle Falcons: Hammersley, Goneva, Harris, Matavesi, Sinoti, Flood, Young; Vickers, Cooper, Welsh, Green, Robinson, Hogg, Welch, Latu.

Replacements: Lawson, Lockwood, Davison, Witty, Chick, Takulua, Hodgson, Mermoz.