Newcastle Falcons are off and running in the Aviva Premiership and Dom Barrow claims the trust of director of rugby Dean Richards has inspired confidence throughout the side.

Barrow is the prime example - a new recruit from Leeds Carnegie in the summer, he has been thrust into the starting XV for both of the Falcons' opening matches against Bath Rugby and Sale Sharks.

While the 21-0 reversal at home to Bath may have appeared a disastrous start, the 20-year-old responded in the best possible way on Friday night by helping his side edge out the Sharks 15-14.

And back rower Barrow puts it all down to the work of Richards, who he believes can bring him on as a player over the coming season.

"So far things have been brilliant at Newcastle, the coaching staff have been a breath of fresh air, not just Dean (Richards) but the whole set-up," he said.

"Dean's record speaks for itself, and I want to learn as much as possible from him and I am every single day.

"There have been little technical aspects of my game that have already been brought on, but the biggest thing is just the fact he lets me go out and play.

"He's trusted my ability, and actions speak louder than words and to play from the off is brilliant, those actions breed confidence in a player."

Barrow was not a man short on confidence before he pitched up at Kingston Park, he had just played his part in England U20s' Junior World Championship success this summer.

Winning has become a habit for the Yorkshireman, and he wants it to continue in a Newcastle shirt this term.

"It was an amazing experience to go out there and actually win it, and I don't think (former England U20 coach) Rob Hunter's preparation for the Six Nations can be underestimated," added Barrow.

"Nick Walshe and Ian Peel pulled the squad together, but it's a group of hard-working lads which we showed against New Zealand when we were underdogs, an England age group side had never beaten New Zealand before but we didn't let it faze us in the semis.

"We did what we had to do and I was honoured to be a part of the group and I think we can all learn from the experience.

"Winning is a habit, just like losing is, and if a number of us from that side go on to play internationally and come up against New Zealand or Wales again I think we can draw from that experience."

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