Golding will be appearing in his first cup final

Newcastle Falcons prop Jonny Golding says the side's belief in their abilities has been a key factor in this season's push to the LV= Cup final.

Falcons have won three straight games as they prepare to face Gloucester in Sunday's final, including a last-gasp semi-final victory against Harlequins.

"Everyone's really driven at the moment," Golding told BBC Newcastle.

"We started winning the last few games and the guys started believing a bit more," he added.

Standing in the way of a first trophy since the Powergen Cup win against Sale in 2004 are Bryan Redpath's Gloucester.

Newcastle were 12-6 winners against the Cherry and Whites at Kingston Park in November, one of only four defeats suffered by the Premiership title challengers this season.

"Gloucester are a massively different team to what they were at the beginning of the year," Golding said.

"They've got a very strong pack, which is going to be a good challenge.

"They're playing good running rugby as well, so they play with a lot of variety, they're going to be tough opposition, but there's no reason why we can't go down to Northampton and make it a fantastic day and a good game of rugby."

The additional incentive to win Sunday's final is entry to the Heineken Cup, and a potential return to the European rugby elite for Falcons for the first time since 2004/05.

"That would be some scalp to get into the Heineken Cup," Golding added.

"It would be massive for the area and the club."

Golding signed a new contract at the Falcons last month, having joined the club from Rotherham in February 2006.

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