Newcastle Falcons have made steady progress since Dean Richards took charge and guided them back into the Aviva Premiership at the first attempt in May 2013.
Last season saw Newcastle finish eighth – their highest league position in 11 years – and the return of former favourite Toby Flood has encouraged hopes of an even more prosperous 2017-18 campaign.
The 31-year-old Falcons academy graduate won three Premiership titles with Leicester in his nine years away from Kingston Park.
Flood, who was capped 60 times during a stellar England career, made his Premiership debut for Newcastle in 2005 before spending six seasons at Welford Road.
He has spent the past three seasons in the French top flight with Toulouse but is looking forward to making the club where he made his name a respected force in the Premiership.
“It was an easy decision for me to come back, in all honesty, and it’s great to be here again,” said Flood, who grew up in the north-east.
“Although the buildings and the face of the club probably haven’t changed too much, underneath there is a big difference.
“I gained a lot of positive experience from my spell at Leicester and learned what it was like to be in that environment where there was an expectation to win things all the time.
“It was a huge learning curve, every game had a cup final mindset and to have six years of that was brilliant.
“In that time we played in five or six major finals, won three Premiership titles and it was a wonderful thing to be part of.
“From there I moved to Toulouse where the rugby was as random as anything, but it was a great experience and a massive opportunity to gain a different perspective on the sport.
“To now come back to Newcastle with that nine years of experience behind me, I think that puts me in a decent place to offer something here.”
Flood’s game-management and experience should prove a huge asset to Newcastle side who continue to improve under England legend Richards.
Flood is among a raft of new signings and going back to Kingston Park has reunited him with some old friends in the squad and coaching staff.
He added: “It will also be great to link up again with people like Niki Goneva.
“When Niki gets it right he’s as good as any winger in the world, and I really mean that.
“We had a great understanding at Leicester, it’s great to hopefully have that again here at Newcastle.
“I was lucky enough to play with both Dave Walder and Micky Ward, and I worked with John Wells for England, so I have a good idea of what they’re about.
“It’s really exciting to be working with guys of that calibre, and they’re very much willing to listen as well as being ruthless when they need to be.
“The Falcons last season really set out their stall in being a serious threat to any team in the Aviva Premiership, and we could really compete for honours,” he stated.
“They key is to use that momentum and keep on looking forward, and it’s about getting results. The next step for the club is about being cut-throat in that regard, and that’s where we need to make a move.
“Within your culture should be embedded the firm desire to win every single time you play.
“That for me is where a team needs to get to, having the genuine self-belief that you can win this game. I truly believe Newcastle can get there – we just need to be ruthless and honest with one another.”
