Catterick ready for Challenge Cup kick off
Tom Catterick makes a first start of the season in the Newcastle Falcons number 10 shirt this evening against CA Brive and is out to build on his performances in the competition last season, which saw him seize that position as his own in 2015/16
Catterick first took over playmaking duties in the impressive 30-23 win over Stade Francais and went on to make a total of 15 appearances in the 10 shirt in a breakthrough season and is hoping to enjoy a similar journey this time around.
“I’ve really fond memories of the Challenge Cup. There were some great trips and games at home against quality opposition and I’m looking forward to getting back into it and getting some game time under my belt.
Starting away to regular French rivals, who they have played in six of the last ten seasons, the European campaign offers the Falcons the chance to blood members of the squad who have not featured in the opening rounds of the Aviva Premiership.
With new faces included, Catterick says he has been impressed with the weeks training.
“It’s been a real high energy week, the squad is slightly different, some of the boys haven’t been part of the rugby part of it so they can refresh their legs after a tough four weeks of premiership. Those who have been have been having a lot of fun and I’ve been impressed with the standard of it.”
Analysing his opposition, Catterick is expecting he and his teammates to know they have been in a game come 8:30pm on Friday.
“They will be a big physical team, very forward orientated, there will be a lot of mauls they will be very direct and come around the corner. It’s slightly different to how we want to play it but we’re ready to defend what they have got.“
For more from Tom, [click here][1] for Falcons TV
[1]: https://youtu.be/b6Mw-h3kw8A
