Border Telegraph | Sport | Tait impressed by Falcons

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 25th October, 2005 10:37

Tait impressed by Falcons

By Border Telegraph Sport

THE Newcastle Connection comes to Netherdale on Sunday afternoon when Border Reivers face their toughest game of the season as the Falcons swoop in on European Challenge Cup duty.

And with three ex-Newcastle men now the driving force behind the Reivers, the game will prove just how the Borders have progressed under Steve Bates, George Graham and Alan Tait.

With a team packed full of international players from around the globe, among them England World Cup hero and Lions star, Jonny Wilkinson, Tait is aware of the huge task facing his team.

Speaking yesterday at Netherdale after watching Newcastle demolish Brive 51-19, Tait said he believed that the Falcons were targeting the Challenge Cup this season.

“They were very impressive and the best team I have seen this season.

“Their movement in the backs was tremendous and Wilkinson was at his best. He is playing so well at present, and the mission alone on Saturday just to watch him was worth it alone.

“The people who come along on Sunday will see a world class player. I am sure he will play. He has been struggling for a time with injury and there is nothing better than to play well and get games.

“England play Australia in a couple of weeks and he really needs games.’

But Newcastle is packed full of big names…Matt Burke, captain Colin Charvis, Ian Peel, Owen Finegan, Stuart Grimes, Jamie Noon to name only few.

“Newcastle outclassed a Brive team, who are not really a bad side.

“They had some good players themselves, and the way Newcastle took them apart was very impressive.

“We will have our work cut out to stop them.”

Tait went on: ‘In England there are only two or three trophies to win and it very tough when you have teams like Newcastle, Leicester and Wasps fighting for them.

“The way they played on Saturday, they will go full out to win the cup. I can see them going all the way.

“It would be very nice to put a spoke in their wheel. The Borders and Newcastle, it’s a local derby really, and there a lot of connection with Steve, George and myself.’

But Tait knows this will be a huge task for the team.

“We scored five tries on Saturday, but Sunday is a big game. We will give it our best shot”

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