Falcons v Montauban: Teams

Newcastle can expect their toughest test so far in the Amlin Challenge Cup when they take on Montauban on Thursday.

The Falcons have claimed a maximum 10 points from their opening two games with victories over Petrarca and Albi.

But Montauban come into the game on the back of a Top 14 win against Clermont Auvergne and are just two points behind Newcastle in Pool Five, also boasting an unbeaten Challenge Cup record this season.

Falcons boss Steve Bates has made four changes from the side beaten 25-13 by Gloucester last weekend.

Full-back Alex Tait, scrum-half Micky Young, hooker Matt Thompson and flanker Will Welch are all handed starts for the Kingston Park clash as Newcastle look to avoid a fifth defeat from their last six starts in all competitions.

Bates said: "Going into back-to-back games against Montauban presents a tough challenge, but a win on Thursday puts us in a great position from which to go into the return leg next Friday in France.

"Having played at Gloucester last Saturday means we have to manage a short turnaround for a Thursday game, but the players seem fresh and keen to get back out there again."

Only the five Challenge Cup pool winners are guaranteed a quarter-final place, with the three remaining places to be filled by group runners-up from the Heineken Cup.

Falcons number eight Filipo Levi said: "If we can win on Thursday it puts us in with a great chance of making the quarter-finals, and even perhaps getting a home draw.

Tough ask

"We know that going over to Montauban next Friday is an extremely tough ask, so if we can lay the foundation on Thursday night in Newcastle then we're halfway there.

"The Challenge Cup has been a strange competition for us this season because we've probably seen the two extremes in terms of performances.

"We played poorly and almost lost against Petrarca in the first game, but then at home to Albi we really blew them away and ran in seven tries to none.

"The upshot is that we are currently the top seeds with two wins and two bonus points, but that means nothing if we don't back it up on Thursday."

Newcastle Falcons: A Tait, C Amesbury, G Bobo, T Tu'ipulotu, T Biggs, J Gopperth, M Young, J Golding, M Thompson, C Hayman [capt], J Hudson, T Swinson, J Afu, W Welch, F Levi.
Replacements: R Vickers, M Ward, L Ovens, P Browne, E Williamson, H Charlton, R Miller, T Catterick.

Montauban: J Dalla Riva, J Cassin, A Henderson, F Le Bourhis, A Figueiredo, C Coll, J Audy, G Shvelidze, M Lozupone, S Florea, R Frost, S Murray, R Sazy, A Campos, B Mach.
Replacements: G Arganese, N Adams, B Sa, A Boutaty, M Clarkin, M Belie, J Larroque, S Paku.

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)