European momentum matters for McGuigan
Hooker George McGuigan says success in the final two pool games of this season’s European Rugby Challenge Cup will be important in allowing Newcastle Falcons to build momentum for the rest of the season.
Speaking to Falcons TV, McGuigan highlighted the bounce provided in December following the win over Pat Lam’s Connacht and how the competition offers opportunities to developing talents, thanks to the club’s policy of selecting a mainly young, English side for the games.
“The Challenge Cup gives a chance to players to prove themselves, you look at players like Craig and Sean who were given opportunities and took them. We’ve doing quite well in it and it’s good to build momentum.”
“The win at home against Connacht was really good for the squad as a whole and saw everyone come into training the following week just buzzing.”
The Falcons start the European block with an away fixture in Sochi against Enisei STM, before a potentially crucial tie at home against Brive Correze, with McGuigan outlining what he and his team mates are expecting.
“We’re travelling to Russia expecting Enisei to come out and be a big physical side. We know they are a good side and we’re taking them very seriously.”
“With Brive we had a lot of opportunities away from home and if we look back on it, we probably could have gotten the result if we had been a bit more accurate. We played quite well as a team, it was always going to be a hard place to go, as they’re flying in the Top 14.”
With that final fixture potentially deciding the club’s further participation in this seasons competition, McGuigan is hopeful that Kingston Park will again be packed out with vocal support, with the hooker crediting the home crowd as making big difference in the last home game against Bath.
“You look at the Bath game, the crowd made a big difference when it was close at the end. They were nice and loud and real vocal and I think it lifts the players. Everyone chases that bit harder, someone makes a big tackle and the crowd picks you up, so it is very important that they are there and are vocal.”
For the full interview with George, [click here][1] for Falcons TV.
Tickets for the game against Brive are on sale now, starting at £15 for adult standing and £25 for adult seating and can be bought by [clicking here][2], calling 0871 2266060 or by visiting the Kingston Park box office.
[1]: https://youtu.be/FspJ1t5zYmg
[2]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2882
