Tries from Max Wright, Mike Brown, George McGuigan and Ollie Lindsay-Haugue were enough to see Newcastle take the win but they were ran close as Worcester crossed through Duhan Van Der Merwe, Harri Doel and Will Chudley.

Richards admitted his team failed to control the game and compared the European clash to the two sides’ 24-24 draw in the Gallagher Premiership last month.

“Our guys will admit we weren’t good enough and that we played into their hands a little bit, which is disappointing,” he told Newcastle’s website.

“But at the same time we’ve come away with the full five points and got our campaign off to a good start in terms of progression through the competition.”

“It was a bit like when we drew with them in the league here, and we should have won by a country mile if I’m being honest.

“We allowed them time and again to get back into the game, we showed our inaccuracy in certain areas but at the same time we’ve got that ability to turn it on when we want to.

“We were frustrated, more than anything, although we scored a couple of great tries.

“We came in drawing 21-21 at half-time thanks to a try right at the end of the half, and in the second half we began to understand a little bit better how we wanted to play the game.”

Falcons are not in EPCR Challenge Cup action again until January 14, when they visit Biarritz Olympique with hopes of another bonus point win – albeit via a more assured performance.

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards says his side still have work to do despite beating Worcester Warriors 31-26 at Kingston Park in Round 1 of the EPCR Challenge Cup on Friday night.