Tait is ready to wield the axe after Falcons take a hammering

The Falcons were floored 46-12 as wing Topsy Ojo scored three of Irish's six tries and fly-half Ryan Lamb kicked 16 points.

It was Newcastle's third reversal from four starts this term, leaving head coach Tait facing a testing week before the trip to Harlequins on Saturday.

"There aren't any real positives we can take out of a hammering," he said.

"But when you are beaten by a far better side it makes it a little easier to swallow, and they were a far superior side. There were signs of panic from us at times, and we will have to have a look at that and try to address it. But there is no miracle cure – we have to get on with it.

"We have a couple of A team games coming up. Some of the players in this game may find themselves having to play in those matches, and I will have to look at possibly giving some of those A team players their chance."

Irish, 2009 Premiership finalists, left backs coach Mike Catt thrilled by an adventurous display that confirmed they mean business this term.

"Two years ago we had the ruthlessness and killer instinct, and we lost that last season, but now we have got it back," said the England World Cup winner.

"Everything was spot-on, and for us to go to Newcastle and do what we did shows how much we have improved."

There was a reality check for Premiership newcomers Exeter after early victories over Gloucester and Newcastle, courtesy of a 40-13 drubbing from Harlequins that featured 20 points for fly-half Nick Evans.

"We didn't turn up in the frame of mind of desperation we've had in previous games, and we did not show ourselves at our best," said Exeter head coach Rob Baxter.

Gloucester kick-started their campaign with a tense 22-20 victory over Kingsholm visitors Wasps after substitute Nicky Robinson kicked two late penalties from inside his own half.

Robinson and England centre Mike Tindall were among a clutch of players relegated to the bench following Gloucester's poor display against London Irish but this time he delivered when it mattered.

"We conceded 19 penalties against Irish and never got a chance to get in the game, but we had a bit more fire about us on this occasion," said Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath.

"The Gloucester fans are hugely passionate and it was key that we showed them some passion. The expectation is massive every time we play at Kingsholm but you can't shrink from it."

Bath claimed a second bonus point victory of the campaign by sinking Sale 31-16.

Sale chief Mike Brewer blasted his team, claiming: "There was not enough intensity, not enough accuracy. There is no substitute for attitude."