Falcons in five-way Euro shootout this weekend

Newcastle Falcons are involved in a five-way shoot-out for the last place in the knock-out rounds of the EPCR Challenge Cup ahead of Saturday's home game against Irish visitors, Connacht. The Falcons are battling with Perpignan, Bath, Zebre Parma and Brive for passage through to the last 16, with only a single point between them in the standings.   Click here to buy your tickets. Click here to view the pool standings in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Five of the six qualifying spots have already been secured going into the final round of group action, making for a fascinating climax this weekend.

Perpignan, Bath, Zebre and Brive have the slight advantage as they sit on one point, with Newcastle yet to get off the mark.

But with an intriguing round of fixtures to come, the competition is very much alive.

Should two or more teams be tied on points at the end of the pool phase the determining factors are (in order), points difference, tries scored and fewest number of players suspended.

Friday's schedule could see the picture become clearer as Perpignan travel to Bristol, with Zebre at Toulon while Bath travel to Glasgow.

Saturday sees Newcastle hosting Connacht at 5.30pm, and the situation could even still be alive post-match as Brive travel to Cardiff for an 8pm kick-off.

Falcons season ticket holders are reminded that Saturday's 5.30pm kick-off at home to Connacht IS included in their 2022-23 package.