RIchards delighted as European winning run continues
The result leaves Newcastle clear at the top of Pool C of the European Rugby Challenge Cup going into Thursday’s return leg in Paris, Richards stating: “Overall I am delighted with it. There were a lot of good contributions from the young players.”
On a freezing cold night, the whole squad delivered an exciting performance to warm the 4,059 fans in attendance which Richards was keen to praise.
“I thought guys like Sean Robinson, Dan Temm and the like all put their bodies on the line. Sean sped in for a try from 20 yards, and it was probably 20 yards further than I ever ran in my own career! Tom Catterick’s performance at fly-half was really pleasing, and shows why we highly rate him there.”
The Falcons led 14-9 at the break before a see-saw second half in which the lead changed hands repeatedly, Richards saying: “At half-time we talked about how difficult we were making it for ourselves, but the boys went out there and played really well. We have got a habit of letting teams back into the game, and Stade were within a score at the end when to all intents and purposes they should not have been.”
“That said, we took our four tries really well, though, and I think everybody was delighted with that. The Italian referee allowed the teams to play, which is what we like to do, and I thought the boys acquitted themselves really well.”
With a big scrum win against the head sealing the deal in the final minute, Richards said: “Fair dues to Alex Rogers who came on for Kieran Brookes towards the end there. He did exceptionally well on that tight-head side, and I am pleased he did because I know he can play both sides.”
Richards added: “He has come to us on loan from Blaydon, it has been a nice situation to be in and I thought he was really good when he came on the field. We had a lot of young boys out there, and it was a great win.”
Aiming to become the second visiting team to win at Stade Jean Bouin on Thursday night following Newport Gwent Dragons’ triumph there in week one, the Falcons boss said: “It is going to be difficult over in Paris. They will be smarting from Friday’s result, and they won’t be happy about the fact we got all five points.”
“From our side, we were disappointed by the fact they managed to come away from Newcastle with a bonus point. That keeps them in with a little bit of a sniff but they have lost two from three now, whereas we are unbeaten. We need to go over there and produce a performance, and to take points.”
