Tait took over as Falcons coach at the end of last season

Newcastle Falcons head coach Alan Tait believes his players must learn to cope with pressure if they are to achieve their potential at Kingston Park.

Falcons were mauled 46-12 by a rampant London Irish on Saturday and Tait admitted that his players failed to handle the test of Toby Booth's side.

"Our players get under pressure and crack," Tait told BBC Newcastle.

"They need to learn quickly that this league will put them under pressure and have to make the right choices."

Tait's frustrations were intensified by a second-half collapse, which saw three converted tries from the Exiles to condemn the Falcons to a thumping defeat.

"I felt this team had more about them, I hope this team has more about them, I hope they don't get their heads down and fall away," Tait added.

"After the game we had a heart-to-heart but they've got to put their hands up and ask why they were beaten by their opposite number.

"Apart from Filippo [Levi] they all came off second best which was really disappointing, and it lets down everyone at the club.

"The atmosphere's been great and the boys sat there and were devastated - they've got to get back on and try to sort out the mistakes."

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