“The boys had last week to themselves after a tough couple of months, but we are back in from today onwards and focusing massively on what will be a big test for us down at Bristol,” said Walton.

“With no match this week we will be able to have three days of good intensive training.

“The players are fresh from their week away and the pack will be getting through a lot of work, including plenty of contact stuff, so we hope to see the benefits once we get back in to match action.”

The break has also helped some of Newcastle’s walking wounded along the road to recovery, with Walton stating: “This time of year is a chance to get rid of some knocks and niggles that guys have been carrying around.

“Matt Burke missed our last two matches with a bang to the head but will be back for the Bristol game, by which time his British residency will be sorted so both he and Joe McDonnell will finally be able to play in the same team.”

With the Six Nations dominating the rugby agenda last weekend, Walton admitted to divided loyalties as England started their campaign with an emphatic 42-20 Calcutta Cup win over his former team, Scotland.

“It was obviously disappointing to see Scotland beaten, but the way Jonny Wilkinson came back to international rugby was massively pleasing from both a personal and a club point of view,” said the 24-times-capped back rower.

“As always he has put in an incredible amount of hard work behind the scenes to come back as well as he did, and his performance on Saturday came as a surprise to nobody at the club because we’ve seen it every single day in training.”