Burke wants his Falcons to fly
Newcastle captain seeking big performance for 'mini Test series'
Newcastle Falcons skipper Matt Burke insists Friday’s trip to Montauban is the ideal chance to get his side’s European Challenge Cup campaign back on the rails.
Following their half century at home to Petrarca Padova in the opening round, the Falcons came unstuck on French soil in their last European outing as Brive delivered a 41-12 drubbing.
But for the Round 3 contest at Stade de Sapiac, Burke believes his team will turn the corner.
“It’s almost like a fresh start for us in the competition after a six-week break, and with playing Montauban back-to-back it makes it almost into a mini Test series," Burke said.
While Montauban may not be regarded as one of the traditional powerhouses of the French game, 33-year-old Burke is all too aware of the task in hand.
“Having been promoted to the Top 14 this season they've been going great guns, and any side that can beat Perpignan away and Stade Français Paris at home has to be taken seriously,” the Rugby World Cup winner said.
“Like many French clubs, a lot of their play revolves around the tight five, but their fly half Sebastien Fauque captains them well and has a hand in everything they do.
“He has a huge boot and can peg you back in your own half if you’re not careful, so if he plays we will have to look to contain that threat.”
Newcastle coach John Fletcher spoke the same volumes as his Falcon's skipper warning that to underestimate Montauban will only result in disaster for the team.
However the fairly new Falcons coach believes his team has what it takes to beat any given opposition on any given day.
“We have seen the videos of Montauban and we know what we are in for over there on Friday," Fletcher said.
“They look a strong side up front and you can’t argue with their record this season in the French league.
“From our own point of view we have to put right what went wrong in Brive last time we visited France, but we have shown this season with some big performances in other competitions that we can beat anyone on our day.
“Qualification is still a realistic possibility for us. As disappointing as the performance was in Brive we have to keep it in perspective. It was only one game, and if we mount a strong finish in our four remaining group matches then the quarter-finals are still very much within reach.”
The five Pool winners and three best runners-up will qualify for the quarter-finals on the weekend of 30 / 31 March and 1 April, 2007.
