Toulon fairytale has Falcons dreaming
NEWCASTLE’s stunning 26-25 win at Toulon has given rise to the belief that anything is possible.
The club’s players and staff reportedly drank the hotel bar dry basking in the afterglow of their successful Mediterranean mission and veteran prop Davey Wilson admits back-to-back wins over Top 14 opposition would get everyone in Newcastle very excited.
With this season’s final at St James’ Park, the city’s bountiful clubs and bars had better stock up on the beer if the rugby club deliver the ultimate fairytale.
“If we win this weekend, I think we’ll start to get very excited because we’d put ourselves in a very good position,” Davey told TRP.
“We can’t really pat ourselves on the back yet, we need another ‘W’ at home otherwise Toulon is all for nothing.
“You’ve got to win all your home games whatever competition you’re in. The boys will take a lot of confidence from the win and hopefully we can kick on against Montpellier.”
As first starts of the season go, Wilson could not have asked for any more.
“I’ve had a few niggles, basically a back issue causing a tight hammy, but I’m getting there,” the 33-yearold former England tight-head said. “I’m mindful that I am not as young as I used to be and I’m just trying to play as many games as I can and enjoy it.
“I play every game like it’s my last and if you do that, hopefully you won’t go too far wrong. You don’t last forever, I’ve got another season or two, maximum.”
Capped 44 times by England in a seven-year Test career, Wilson’s contract at Newcastle runs out at the end of the season and could be his last. Even if he does not get a Champions Cup winner’s medal as a parting gift, the South Shields-born player will always be able to say he played his part in one of the biggest shocks in European Cup history.
“Getting promoted and into the top four last season were good times for the club but, for me, Toulon is right up there as one of the best wins of my career.
“I was a bit gutted to come off (after 55 minutes) because I was enjoying it and we were winning at the time. There were some very big calls as they went at us hammer and tongs but, thankfully, we kept on the right side of the scoreline.”
Montpellier opened their campaign with a scrappy 21-15 win despite conceding almost 70 per cent possession and territory to Edinburgh.
“They’re a French/South African hybrid: very physical and direct, so you need to front up,” Wilson said.
“Hopefully we can stop them getting momentum from the set-piece and close collision contests and also be smart in playing a different type of game to the one they’re used to.”
Vereniki Goneva returns on the wing for Newcastle after a head knock, withRyan Burrows and Calum Green coming to the pack.
Montpellier welcome back Kiwi fly-half Aaron Cruden, who has missed the past five weeks with a calf injury. Ruan Pienaar is at No.9, while France No.8 Louis Picamoles captains the side. South African pair Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis are absent however.