The Falcons showed how much the competition means to them in their Round of 16 clash in Wales last weekend, when they rallied from 14-0 down to Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium to triumph 28-24.

“We gave the Ospreys a little too much respect in the first 20 minutes and Justin Tipuric had an absolute field day during that period,” Richards told the club website.

“After that, we decided to put our heads where it hurt for the remainder of the game and really take it to them. The final 10 minutes of the first half and the opening five of the second half saw us totally dominant, resulting in two yellow cards and three tries, and we kicked on from there.

“Sometimes people are just a little bit in awe and there’s no need to be, because I think we’ve got some really good players who are incredibly competitive.

“I hope they can take some belief from knowing they can do it against boys like that. There’s no reason why we can’t do it on a more regular basis and maybe this is the catalyst for that belief to take a real hold.

“The Challenge Cup is an important competition for us and you know me – I just want us to go as far as possible.

“We’ll have another good test next weekend and we’ll be giving it everything.”

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards has warned European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final opponents Leicester Tigers that his side “will be giving it everything” when they meet at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday.