Newcastle Falcons survived a huge scare on their return to European competition as they came from behind to beat Bucharest Wolves.

Dean Richards made 10 changes for the trip to the Romanian capital and the switches took their toll as they trailed 12-10 at the break.

It looked as though Bucharest might hold on for a famous win until Falcons full back Tom Catterick kicked a winning penalty four minutes from time.

Newcastle had made a perfect start with a penalty from Joel Hodgson inside two minutes but it was the home side who had the best of the first half.

Bucharest had never beaten English opposition in 16 attempts but four penalties from Romania international Valentin Calafeteanu put them in the ascendency.

Newcastle’s cause wasn’t helped when they lost captain Alex Crockett through injury just before the half hour mark but they managed to get themselves back into the game on the stroke of half time. A converted try from Falcons centre Adam Powell cut Bucharest’s lead to two points at the break.

The expected second half fightback never really materialised and it was Newcastle who were holding on after the break as Bucharest put pressure on the visitors' line.

Bucharest failed to make the most of a number of good positions and they were almost punished for it 10 minutes from time when they conceded a penalty out wide. Hodgson had the chance to put Richards’ side back in front for the first time since the opening minutes but the 21-year-old’s kick came back off the post.

Bucharest had the worst disciplinary record in the competition last season and a late yellow card for Stephen Hihetah put them under pressure. It proved to be costly as full back Catterick sealed the win for Newcastle with an excellent kick.