Former Carlisle Rugby Club man Gary Graham insists there will be no fear- factor as Newcastle Falcons look to end their 20-year wait for a win at Welford Road.

Falcons’ last away victory over Leicester Tigers saw Gary’s father, George, come off the bench in a 25-19 success during their march to the 1997/98 Aviva Premiership title.

That victory might be a distant memory but, with Newcastle fourth in the Aviva Premiership table, two points and a place ahead of Tigers, Dean Richards’ side have every reason to travel to Leicester with confidence this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

“I’ve never played at Welford Road before so it holds no fear in that sense but I know it will be a big atmosphere,” said Graham, once of Harraby.

“We’ve got two of the top-five teams in the league to play in our remaining two games. There’s a huge amount to go for and it’s exciting for the lads.

“Leicester are a top-quality side, there’s no doubt about that. But we’ve got a game plan in place and a lot of talent in the squad.

“They maybe struggled a bit in the early part of the season but they’ve found their rhythm now, and even taking into account a home defeat to Northampton in their last game, they’re still one of the form sides in the league.

“Good sides turn it on at the business end of the season, that’s where we want to be and we’ve put ourselves in a position to really kick-on towards the semi-finals.”

Graham, 25, has shone in his first season with Newcastle after joining from Jersey Reds last summer.

The Stirling-born flanker, who signed a two-year extension this month as his brother, Guy, also agreed terms for next season, was called up into England’s NatWest 6 Nations.

But his impressive progress was hampered by a neck injury in the build-up to their opener in Italy.

“It has been a bit of a roller-coaster, to be honest,” admitted Graham to Falcons’ website.

“The last 13 or 14 weeks has been a nightmare with being out injured prior to returning against Sale a fortnight ago, but from where I was at the start of the season to where I am now, I can’t really complain.

“I’ve almost done what I wanted to do for my first year at a Premiership club, there’s a bit more left to finish off the campaign and then it’s a case of flying into pre-season and really looking to build again.”