NEWCASTLE Falcons boss Dean Richards is not planning for a season of struggle in the North-East after this season's Aviva Premiership fixtures were announced on Thursday.

Falcons begin life back in English rugby's top-flight with a Friday night home game against Bath, before travelling to Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks.

Richards, who returned to coaching last season after an enforced spell from the game following the infamous Bloodgate scandal during his time with Harlequins, is convinced his new-look Falcons possess the required ammunition.

The likes of former Scotland captain Mike Blair has joined from Brive, as well as fly-half Rory Clegg from Harlequins and England Saxons star Andy Saull from Saracens, giving Richards some much-needed top-flight pedigree.

Back in 2005, Richards led Harlequins back into the Premiership following relegation before establishing the club has a perennial title challenger until his untimely departure.

And the former England and Leicester No.8 is determined to make his mark when it matters against former Falcons' boss Gary Gold and Bath on the opening day of the season.

"It's going to be a baptism of fire back in the Aviva Premiership - Bath at home followed by Sale and Leicester away - it doesn't get much harder than that," said Richards, speaking ahead of the J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s, which kick off on August 1 at Kingsholm with rounds at Franklin's Gardens and also at Allianz Park and the final at The Recreation Ground.

"There are no easy games in the Aviva Premiership though and I've told the boys this - Bath at home will be a very good indication of where we're at as a club and where we need to improve during the season if we're going to be competitive.

"It doesn't matter who you play, it's more about when you play them - having Bath at home on a Friday night at the start of the season probably plays more into their hands if you look at the squad they possess but the Premiership can change very quickly.

"I'm not starting the season with a goal in mind, I hope we don't go down - probably barring the top four or five clubs, everybody has that fear each season.

"It's such a tough competition and I hope we don't get sucked into a relegation battle because it's difficult to escape from.

"I know if we play as well as we can do and the new guys involved gel quickly, hopefully we'll have enough to stay up, I'm confident about that."

Having returned to the Aviva Premiership via the Championship play-offs in May; Richards and Newcastle have enjoyed just three weeks holiday and are already two weeks into a grueling pre-season.

The first challenge for the Falcons will be August's J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s - an annual competition involving all 12 Premiership clubs and featuring some of the league's most destructive runners.

Newcastle have previously won the competition and finished runners-up and Richards, who will see his side play at Northampton in Pool B alongside the Saints, Leicester and Sale is eager to use the competition as a springboard to Aviva Premiership success.

"The 7s is an important introduction for us into the season at Newcastle Falcons because it's about utilising the open spaces and that transfers itself into the 15s game," added Richards.

"It's an opportunity for me to look at some of the younger players in the squad and assess who is ready to play in the first team and see how they perform alongside some of my more established players.

"I can't wait for the J.P Morgan 7s to begin - it will be great to see some old friends in Dorian West at Northampton and Richard Cockerill at Leicester.

"We've got a very good collection of pre-season fixtures, the boys are back training and it's certainly going to be very interesting indeed.

"We've only had three weeks off, we've been back now training hard for a fortnight but that's the price you pay for relegation and having to go up via the Championships play-offs.

"I'm pleased with who I have brought in, there seems to be a good blend of experience and youth and I think we will have enough this season.

"7s is all about developing players and helping youngsters progress their careers - it's going to be an important competition for us."

The J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off on 1st August at Kingsholm with rounds at Franklin's Gardens and Allianz Park and the final at The Recreation Ground. Tickets and information from www.jpmorgan7s.com or follow @jpmorganrugby7s