NEW Newcastle Falcons captain James Hudson has vowed to do things his own way as he bids to fill the boots of All Blacks star Carl Hayman.

The giant Kiwi, the highest paid player in the Premiership when he joined Newcastle in 2007, left the club to join Toulon at the end of last season, with Hudson announced as his successor for the new campaign.

Former London Irish secondrow Hudson, an ever-present last season, will need to lead by example at Kingston Park after the Falcons ended last season with a whimper, losing five on the bounce in all competitions to end a promising campaign in ninth place.

With Alan Tait replacing Steve Bates in the dugout, it’s all change at Newcastle, with no fewer than ten players, including Hayman, leaving the club, and Scotland international Ally Hogg among 11 new faces.

While Hudson, 28, may lack the star qualities of Hayman, he insists he will have the Falcons squad working overtime both before and after every match in a bid to ensure a successful season in the newlynamed Aviva Premiership.

“Carl was a great guy and a great guy to be captained by.

He very much led by example and never left anything behind on the field,” said Hudson, speaking at the Aviva Premiership launch.

“The way he behaved on the field was an example to everybody and his work with the front-row, and the people he influenced and mentored, has left a legacy.

“But we’re quite different in a lot of ways. For one, I’m not as naturally talented as Carl. I realise that the little things and details that I have made a habit of knowing and exercising, is something I will be pressing on the boys.

“Preparation is something that I feel very strongly about and I’ll be trying to press on the boys that it’s necessary to prepare every week as well as you possibly can.

“Not everyone is as naturally talented as Carl at this level and I think we need to go into every detail to bring up a performance in the team to do that.”

Tait has strengthened his backroom staff with the appointment of former Wales second row Paul Moriarty, who played both union and league, as his No.2.

And Hudson believes the appointment of Moriarty, who played in the 1987 World Cup and helped Wales to a thirdplace finish, will make a huge difference to Newcastle.

“I’m confident that our pack is capable of competing with the best,” added Hudson, who was helping Aviva showcase their long-term commitment to English rugby.

“We went a long way last year with our setpiece and we gained some real parity there and were quite consistent in that area.

“Now we’ve got to move on to another side of the game, the breakdown, especially with the laws the way they are, and make sure we have a big impact in that area as well.

“Paul Moriarty joining has brought a massive amount of experience. It’s an area he’ll definitely be looking at with us and making sure we’re not just at the level required, but keep improving."