MARK Wilson has revealed how the wind of change has already started to blow through Kingston Park as new boss Gary Gold takes the helm for his first game.

The South African director of rugby was largely a spectator for the Falcons’ 21-13 loss at Lyon last weekend as Paul Moriarty led the side, but both Gold and defence coach Mike Ford have stepped up their influence in preparation for Sunday’s LV= Cup visit of Sale Sharks.

Wilson, the flank-forward who was one of Newcastle’s most prominent players in central France, said: “Gary and Mike have been here for a little while now, but it is only this week where they have really introduced themselves in terms of taking the lead in training and meetings.

“They have sat us down, told us what their philosophy is, and training has been good on the back of that. The boys are excited about what is to come, and there has been a real buzz during the sessions.”

Gold helped London Irish to their one-and-only trophy with the 2002 Powergen Cup, and boasts considerable top-level expertise after four years as assistant coach to the South African national team. Elaborating on the early signs as he aims to use a fortnight of Anglo-Welsh Cup action to build momentum for the Premiership push, Wilson said: “Gary has talked a lot about our human qualities, and how he wants the guys to show attitude and work rate.

“Obviously he is tinkering with a few elements of our game plan which I won’t go into specifics about, but on top of that he is big on intensity during training and taking it out onto the field on match-day.”

Already nine points adrift at the foot of the league, out of European competition and currently bottom of their LV= Cup group midway through the pool phase, if ever there was a time to improve then this is undoubtedly it.