Challenge Cup Pool 1: Connacht v Newcastle Falcons, 11 December

PREVIEW: Newcastle ready for key games against Connacht

Newcastle Falcons boss Dean Richards is braced for a 'tough encounter' in Galway against Guinness Pro12 high-flyers Connacht.

These teams have vast experience of the European Rugby Challenge Cup but have made vastly contrasting starts to the season.

Falcons claimed their only success of the campaign so far when they defeated Russian outfit Enisei STM 55-7 last time out in this tournament.

That disappointing run, extended by defeat to Saracens last week, has left them 11th in the Aviva Premiership and now - following defeat in the opening round to Brive - facing crunch games against Connacht, starting at the Galway Sportsground.

Director of rugby Dean Richards said: "It is frustration because for 55 or 60 minutes we were in with a shout of beating Saracens.

"I thought our boys acquitted themselves well but we just need that little bit more accuracy and to understand the consequences of one or two little mistakes. There is plenty to build on for next week.

"Connacht are a good side and are in a rich vein of form in the Guinness Pro12, even having lost at Cardiff Blues on Friday. They will be a hard side to beat over there and they will be gunning for it."

Opposite number Pat Lam is delighted with his side's start despite suffering only their second defeat in 11 games at Cardiff Blues last weekend.

They are counting the cost of that defeat having lost back-row Eoin McKeon (elbow) and lock Quinn Roux (ankle) with further concerns over key pair Craig Ronaldson and Kieran Marmion (both concussion) as well as Ian Porter.

However Lam could at least welcome back veteran Andrew Browne and Danie Poolman this week.
The men from Galway are second in the Pro12 and have a track record for qualifying for the nock-out stages of the Challenge Cup.

However they have recently struggled against English opponents having lost their five Anglo-Irish ties, including home games in this competition against Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs.

Match Facts

- The home side has triumphed on the previous three occasions these sides have met in the Challenge Cup with Newcastle emerging victorious in two of those games and Connacht winning one.
- Connacht Rugby have won eight of their last 11 matches in the Challenge Cup, including both matches so far this season.
- Connacht Rugby haven't beaten an English side in the Challenge Cup since beating Worcester Warriors twice in the 2009/10 pool stage, losing all five games against teams from England since then.
- A loss for Newcastle would be their third in succession away from home, equalling the clubs longest such run in the Challenge Cup.

Director of rugby Dean Richards said: "It is frustration because for 55 or 60 minutes we were in with a shout of beating Saracens.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Don't be fooled....we are Poopie!!!

Pot Hale wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Don't be fooled....we are Poopie!!!

Possibly but better than London Irish. They still managed to win against a more affluent English Premiership team despite all of the odds stacked against them and their history in European cup games.

Only halfway though, lot to go still.

Cumbrian wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Don't be fooled....we are Poopie!!!

Possibly but better than London Irish. They still managed to win against a more affluent English Premiership team despite all of the odds stacked against them and their history in European cup games.

Only halfway though, lot to go still.

A bit of a stretch maybe?  Connacht won at home against a team who's last league win came ten months ago and who only had 2-3 first choice players starting (not that I’m saying our first choice team would have won).

We're also so 'affluent' that as soon as a decent player/ English international comes through they are hoovered up by a truly ‘affluent’ club.

Dear me, some of you guys have got a narrative and you are keeping to it come hell or high water.  You’ve got your David and Golliath roles mixed up here, it was top of the league vs. foot of the table stuff.

Congratulations Connacht, but you’ve got to view the result in context.

Pot Hale wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Don't be fooled....we are Poopie!!!

Possibly but better than London Irish. They still managed to win against a more affluent English Premiership team despite all of the odds stacked against them and their history in European cup games.

Only halfway though, lot to go still.

mikey_dragon wrote:Well LI are below them in the 'world's premier competition' so which is it?

mikey_dragon wrote:Well LI are below them in the 'world's premier competition' so which is it?