TOM CATTERICK is relishing a return to The Stoop on Friday for the Premiership Rugby 7s Series final – and he believes this current Newcastle Falcons side can replicate their success of three years ago.

The 23-year-old was part of the Falcons team who won the title in 2011, which was the last time the final was hosted by Harlequins.

And as captain he led from the front to ensure they would be there again, scoring two tries in front of a 7,000-strong crowd at The Northern Echo Arena on Saturday night as Newcastle topped Group D with a perfect record.

After a tight 26-21 opening game victory over fellow qualifiers Leicester Tigers, they brushed aside Sale Sharks and London Welsh and while the make-up of the squad is different to the 2011 side, Darlington-born Catterick believes it is just as potent.

“We’ve got a huge desire to reclaim the trophy. We said from the beginning we want to win the whole thing and nothing less will really do,” said full-back Catterick.

“We want to win the whole thing, whether we are good enough we will see, but we’ll work as hard as we can to do it.

“It’s a different type of squad to 2011, it’s a lot younger and a little bit less physical but we’ve probably got a little bit more skill.

“We haven’t got as many big lads but we’ve got people like Chris Harris and Dan Temm who are fit and skilful. It’s a slightly different mix but just as good.

“It will be an awesome experience to run out at The Stoop in the finals. We were down there a few years ago and we won it so I’ve got some good fond memories of that place. We’re really looking forward to it.”

While Group D proved to be the tightest group of the series – with the opening three games decided by five points or fewer – Newcastle proved to be a cut above their rivals, running in 11 tries for a clean sweep.

But Catterick admits they will need to up their game even more if they are to take the trophy back to the North East.

“It will be a really tough evening. It will be another step up because it’s the best of the best but anything can happen in 7s - if you miss a tackle you can concede a try,” he added.

“It will be ridiculously hard and I’m sure everybody will be working to their maximum but you’ve got to love those types of things with the atmosphere and the excitement.”

Having beaten Leicester and Sale, Newcastle went into their final-game decider against London Welsh knowing a win would guarantee their participation in Friday’s finals.

With a large Darlington crowd roaring them on, Falcons opened the scoring when Harris snaffled a try from the fringes of a ruck.

A successful conversion meant Newcastle took a 7-0 lead into the interval, but Jamel Chisholm’s unconverted try gave London Welsh hope at the start of the second half.

Tom Wilson’s try wrapped things up though, and ensured Falcons would claim the 14-5 triumph that left them on top of the group.

They will now travel to London on Friday to take part in a finals night that will also feature Harlequins, Northampton, Gloucester, London Irish, Leicester, Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues.

* Harlequins, Cardiff Blues, Gloucester Rugby, Leicester Tigers, London Irish, Newcastle Falcons, Newport Gwent Dragons and Northampton Saints will compete in the Premiership Rugby 7s Series Final on Friday 8 August at the Twickenham Stoop. Tickets available from quins.co.uk