New Falcons signings Joe McDonnell and Loki Crichton believe the arrival of experienced players from overseas can help get Newcastle's season back on track.
All Black prop McDonnell landed in Newcastle on Monday while Crichton has already been in the north-east for a week, with both determined to make a big contribution as the Falcons look to climb back up the Guinness Premiership table.
Having trained with his new team mates on Tuesday morning, loose head prop McDonnell stated: "I'm just looking forward to being thrown in and playing some rugby.
"That's what all players love doing, playing, getting stuck in. I've been watching videos of the Falcons scrums and line outs, getting used to the calls, and then this afternoon I'll have a run-out with the boys."
Capped by the All Blacks and New Zealand Maori, McDonnell was named player of the tournament in his position for this season's Air New Zealand Cup by respected international website, Planet Rugby.
Rather than sitting on the sidelines and dipping his toe in to life in Europe, the former Wellington and Hurricanes man is keen to dive straight in to Guinness Premiership waters, starting with this Friday's trip to champions Sale Sharks.
"That's why you're involved with rugby, to play the game, and the sooner I can get started the better," he said.
"Hopefully I can bring some experience to the squad in the front row area, share some of the things I've picked up down the years and help develop the young guys we have here. I feel I'm in some of the best form of my career right now, and I just want to play."
Fellow new boy Crichton has already had a taste of the Guinness Premiership after a 20-minute cameo in Friday's defeat to NEC Harlequins, with the Samoan international stating: "It was a difficult game to come in to and the result didn't go our way, but everyone is keen to put that behind us this Friday at Sale.
"John Fletcher believes that was the worst performance of the season and there is huge room for improvement, so hopefully I can be involved in that."
With a week of English life now under his belt, the former Chiefs and Waikato star said: "We're gradually getting used to things. My oldest boy started school today and he's very excited, so it's starting to fall in to place."
Having joined Newcastle until the end of the season, he said: "I'm still learning everybody's names and the way the team plays, but the signs are good and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."
With two of his new signings now in place, and Russell Winter and Mark Sorenson still to come, Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher said: "It's been a boost to the squad.
"These signings have been planned behind the scenes pretty much from when I took over in the summer, and to see the players actually here at Kingston Park is the end of a long process. Russell and Mark will follow shortly, but in the meantime we are delighted to have Joe and Loki with us and available for Friday's game.
"We are still looking to strengthen, I feel there are one or two areas where we need some more quality, but it's a good start to have players of Joe and Loki's calibre with us right now."
Having seen Crichton in action for the best part of a week already, Fletcher said: "He looks a quality player.
"His first touch in training was to skin two players with a nice bit of footwork, and he brings a lot to the side with his ability to play right across the back line.
"Joe's arrival comes at a vital time for us in the forwards, and the experience he has will benefit the squad enormously."