IT IS crunch time for Newcastle Falcons this weekend as they host London Irish, knowing that a win would more or less guarantee their Aviva Premiership status for next season.

And former Falcons and Irish star James Hudson believes Newcastle will have enough in the tank to at home to win at Kingston Park, ending the Exiles’ Aviva Premiership journey in the process.

Current Gloucester lock Hudson played for Newcastle Falcons from 2009 to 2013 – a period that saw them consistently involved in relegation battles and spending a season in the Championship.

They are fighting for their Aviva Premiership lives once again this term – as they currently lie second-bottom of the table, four points ahead of London Irish with three games remaining.

Hudson admits he is upset to see another of his former clubs, Irish, struggling but has backed the Falcons to come out on top on Sunday.

“It’s a bit sad to see London Irish where they are because the time I had there, we were at the other end of the table,” said Hudson, speaking at an Aviva Tackling Numbers event in Gloucester.

“But I think it will be a tough ask for them to go to Newcastle and get a win. Newcastle have still been around that bottom area of the table but they’ve improved a lot and I think they’ve had some good performances this year.

“It will be a tough game for Irish to go up and win – I’ve been in that sort of position before with Newcastle and you can’t underestimate the desperation of a group of blokes who are essentially fighting for their jobs.

“It’s a huge game and I don’t want to see either club being in that position but unfortunately that’s the nature of the Aviva Premiership and how competitive it is.”

Aviva Tackling Numbers is an innovative programme for 7-9 year olds which makes learning about numbers and financial education fun and engaging.

The programme is delivered by Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs and Hudson joined Gloucester teammates Billy Burns and England star Jonny May in taking part in the session with the kids.

If Falcons were relegated to the Championship this term they would be one of the favourites to bounce straight back up but having experienced the second tier himself, Hudson is quick to point out that there are no guarantees.

“You just never know with the way things have gone in the Championships over the past few years,” added the 34-year-old. “You look this year at how well Leeds have done, Doncaster as well and how much London Welsh have struggled to almost be competitive – it shows it is not a given to get straight back into the Premiership.

“Both teams have got the squad, so hopefully they can keep hold of key player and be competitive but having had that year I had with Newcastle, I know it’s not an easy ride to come back up.”

Hudson was speaking at an Aviva Tackling Numbers session. In partnership with Premiership Rugby, #AvivaTacklingNumbers helps 7-9 year olds put foundations in place for better financial skills later in life through the power of rugby. To find out more and take a maths test, visit aviva.co.uk/tacklingnumbers.