Prem Cup can be 'stepping stone' for Newcastle

Alan Dickens has moved up to head coach amid changes which saw the exit of Steve Diamond

Newcastle Red Bulls head coach Alan Dickens wants his side to use the Prem Rugby Cup as a "stepping stone" to success this season.

Newcastle are bottom of the Gallagher Prem having lost all five matches so far and were thrashed 52-14 by Harlequins on Saturday.

Their next three matches come in the Cup - starting against Leicester on Friday - and Dickens wants his side to mirror the likes of Exeter, Northampton and Bath by using success in the competition to launch a challenge in the league.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It's very important, we want momentum and every time we step onto the pitch, that gives us a chance to improve.

"If you look at the history of this competition, lots of teams who win it use it to build on. It's a stepping stone and we want to win every game."

Dickens plans to make changes to his team, confirming that former Crusaders back-row Tom Christie will join in training next week ahead of successive away Cup games at Northampton and Saracens.

Wing Christian Wade, meanwhile, will be available from the start of December on his return to union from a stint in rugby league with Wigan.

"We do need to freshen up, we have senior players in the squad who need game time and we will make changes on Friday," Dickens said.

"We have new players arriving and adding to the group. We have talked a lot about cohesion and getting players into our system. "