Interim head coach Micky Ward says Sunday’s 32-23 win in Perpignan can be a springboard for Newcastle Falcons’ season.

The club’s record appearance holder took the reins for the EPCR Challenge Cup clash at Stade Aime Giral, with tries from Ben Redshaw and Hugh O’Sullivan as well as an eight-from-eight kicking display from man-of-the-match Louie Johnson.

Speaking after the game, Ward said: “It’s not down to me, it’s down to the lads and how hard they work for each other.

“They stuck together and did exactly what we asked them to do from a game plan point of view.

“We’ve gotten a good result on the back of it which is obviously really pleasing, but it’s all down to the players and how they’ve applied themselves.

“I thought the forwards battled really well, the backs finished off their chances when they came and kicking eight from eight also helps a bit!

“The likes of Freddie Lockwood and Sam Cross were outstanding in the pack – they all played well, to be fair – and Louie Johnson was good value for his man of the match award.”

Having led the squad in a long-overdue rendition of their victory song, the Blaydon Races, Ward added: “It’s a competition we knew we couldn’t go through in but it’s such an important result for us in terms of the group, and they showed a lot of character to come back from that half-time deficit.

“We played in the right areas, applied pressure, and we knew if we were in the fight at half-time then we had a chance.

“We knew we would be strong later on because we had quality coming on from the bench, and Tom Williams’ attacking messages really got through.”

Looking to push on now as the Falcons head to Northampton on Saturday in Gallagher Premiership action, the interim boss said: “Just for the whole group I think it’s an important turning point for us, even though this competition is finished for the season now.

“We’ve got a massive away game in Northampton next weekend, the lads are in great fettle and we’ll give it a right go down there.

“I also want to say a massive thank you to the all the supporters who travelled over here to France and everyone sending messages or cheering for us from home.

“I was really surprised that so many of them came over, but it shows how much the club means to them.

“I was taken aback by it, to be honest, but you could hear them on the pitch and I loved seeing the lads go over to thank them all after the final whistle.

“I’m sure they’ll have enjoyed their weekend in a nice part of the world like this, but honestly on behalf of the whole club we’re just so grateful for the support we receive from everyone and the way that things are beginning to build.”