Falcons out to continue dominance over Grenoble
The Falcons were 19-12 winners in their last meeting back in October 2002, Jonny Wilkinson kicking four penalties and a conversion of Marius Hurter’s try in a hard-fought encounter in the Rhône-Alpes region of South East France.
Grenoble by that stage were already 33-17 down in the aggregate tie, Michael Stephenson’s hat-trick plus 18 points from the boot of Wilkinson building enough of a buffer.
The links between the two clubs go a little further, too, with centre Mark Mayerhofler having played for Grenoble before joining the Falcons, while current Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards was in charge of the French club during the 2004-5 campaign.
Grenoble are currently second-bottom in the French Top 14 but had a big win in their last league outing, thumping Bayonne 44-16.
Both clubs go into Sunday’s 3pm kick-off on the back of opening-round defeats in this season’s European Challenge Cup, the Falcons falling at Ospreys while Grenoble lost 39-13 at home to French rivals Lyon.
Irish ex-hooker Bernard Jackman and former Munster scrum-half Mike Prendergast form part of the club’s coaching staff, Grenoble’s all-time European Challenge Cup record reading played 51, won 21, drawn two and lost 28.
The Falcons’ overall record against French sides in European competition has seen 47 meetings, with 28 Newcastle victories and 19 defeats. On home soil against French teams they have lost only three times, twice against Brive and once to Montepellier.
Tickets for Sunday’s clash at Kingston Park Stadium are available by calling 0871 226 6060, [**clicking here**][1] or from the stadium box office in person.
The club are also offering two-for-one on hospitality places for this game. For more information on that please email **corporatesales@newcastle-falcons.co.uk** or call 0191 214 2892.
Supporters are reminded they can enjoy FREE curry after the game in the Tap & Tackle from around 5.30pm.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2981
