Falcons ready to fly in European semi-final

GLOUCESTER

V NEWCASTLE

and Newcastle rugby director Richards does not want to see his team suffer semi-final agony for a second time this season.

Newcastle lost an Anglowelsh Cup semi-final to Exeter in March, and Richards said: “It really annoyed me because I love winning, and we were within reach of a final.

“We didn’t turn up on the day, we probably didn’t pay Exeter enough respect, and that certainly won’t be the case on Friday.

“There are a few changes due to injuries, guys coming back and some boys not being registered for Europe, but the upshot is that we have fresh legs taking the field and a group of guys who are absolutely raring to go.”

Gloucester will bid to reach a third Challenge Cup final in four seasons, having won the trophy three years ago and then losing to Stade Francais last term.

Head coach Johan Ackermann said: “We’ve played each other three times already [this season], so it is not an unknown factor. Both teams know each other quite well, so it makes the contest quite intriguing.”