Falcons lock Mark Sorenson has called for a repeat performance as his Newcastle side travels to Welford Road on Saturday, hoping to beat Leicester Tigers for the second time this month.

A late penalty from Toby Flood ensured a 31-29 victory at Kingston Park, with the Kiwi second row saying ahead of the rematch: "It was a tough battle in the forwards, especially because they have such experience there, and we're not expecting anything different this time round.

"If anything it will be tougher down on their patch, but we're up for a good scrap and hopefully a positive outcome."

Having had a fortnight without match action after the last Leicester clash, the 28-year-old former Bay of Plenty man said: "It was frustrating not to be involved in the games against Padova and Brive, but I arrived after the registration deadline so there's nothing I could do about it.

"Being away for two matches means there is a massive hunger to get back on the field, and especially with being named in the starting XV at a place like Leicester, what more incentive do you need?

"It's a good team to come back in to because we have a winning environment now at the club, which is something we haven't always been able to say. We've won five of our last six games, and we're just quietly going about our business as we improve collectively week by week."

Still buzzing from the home victory over Tigers in his last outing, Sorenson said: "My memories of that game are mainly having a heart attack at the end when the referee thought Toby Flood had thrown the ball out and gave a penalty.

"Luckily I saw him kick it with my own eyes and the touch judge eventually intervened, but there was a brief moment of absolute horror!"

Sorenson expects an attritional battle at Welford Road in the rematch, saying: "We have to have a solid set piece, it's not rocket science really.

"The set phases are always important, but even more so when you play quality sides like Leicester, you just can't let it go for one second because they will punish any little mistake.

"Saturday will undoubtedly be the toughest test since I've been over here. The positive side of it is that we've beaten them only three weeks ago, but they are a proud team and we know they'll be keen to put that right."

After four competitive outings in Falcons colours, asked his opinion of life in the Premiership, the abrasive New Zealander said: "I think English rugby has pretty much lived up to the expectations I had before I came over, especially the fact that the games are so forward-oriented.

"Having said that, it's very exciting to be involved with a team like Newcastle which likes to play the game at pace with real exciting back play.

"Most of the sides we've played against in the Premiership have been more narrow-minded in terms of ambition and tactics, so we feel if we can get all the parts of our game right that we will be able to threaten on a number of different fronts."