Newcastle Falcons have cruised to a 43-19 win over Bucharest Wolves in the opening match in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this evening.

The home side were 12 points up inside the opening four minutes after Will Witty and Lee Smith both crossed the try line early on.

Newcastle continued to dominate the possession, while the visitors struggled to cope with their pace, allowing the English club to add four more tries before the break, including two for Tom Penny.

Florin Ionita got the visitors off the mark before half time, forcing his way over after a quick break from the Romanian side.

Ionut Botezatu reduced the deficit after the break as Newcastle sent on their replacements, leaving the wing to score two tries in the space of seven minutes.

However, a David Nelson effort ensured that there was no chance of a comeback from the visitors as he added the seventh try for Newcastle to secure the win.