Dean Richards: 'Newcastle Falcons lacked composure'

Newcastle Falcons coach Dean Richards has admitted that his side lacked composure during Saturday's LV= Cup defeat to Gloucester Rugby.

The Falcons suffered their first loss of this season's competition as they went down 20-3 at Kingsholm Stadium.

"Our players are very despondent as they know they played with a lack of accuracy," Richards told reporters.

"We lacked a little bit of composure and turned over the ball far too often and played in the wrong areas of the field.

"It was a great learning curve for some of our youngsters, especially front rowers, George McGuigan and Scott Wilson who are only 19 and 20 years of age."

Newcastle return to Aviva Premiership action on Saturday when they make the trip to Northampton Saints.