European Rugby Challenge Cup – Brive Preview
The culmination of the European Rugby Challenge Cup pool stages sees familiar opposition arrive at Kingston Park this Saturday, in the shape of Top 14 side Brive Correze.
Drawn against the 1996/97 Heineken Cup Champions for the sixth season since 2005, the Falcons and the French counterparts are well acquainted with matches between the pair traditionally, close affairs.
Over the course of the games played between the two sides in European competition results have generally been close, with a combined points tally seeing the teams separated by a mere two.
With the pool 1 standings having Brive, Connacht and the Falcons separated by only four points, the match could be crucial in deciding who progresses into the quarter finals.
First and foremost for the Falcons will be maintaining their unbeaten home record in this season’s competition, which has seen bonus point wins recorded against Enisei STM and Connacht Rugby.
Taking the same result against the team that currently sit top of the pool will not only give Dean Richards side the best possible chance of advancing to the last eight, but will also avenge the narrow loss suffered in France back in November.
For Nicolas Godignon’s side, a repeat of that win would secure a quarter final spot for the first time since 2014, after taking a last gasp win against Connacht in France in round five and overhauling Pat Lam’s side in the standings.
With the Irish side’s match against Enisei STM kicking off at the same time as matters in the North East, it sets up what promises to be an enthralling Saturday afternoon.
Tickets are available now [online][1], in person from the Kingston Park Stadium Box Office or by calling the Falcons’ 24 hour Ticket Hotline on 0871 226 6060.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/Events
