Rugby Union: Falcons sharpen claws

NEWCASTLE will be seeking to rip up the form book when European champions Wasps come calling at Kingston Park today.

The Falcons came unstuck 32-13 at Saracens last weekend, and winger Tom May knows director of rugby Rob Andrew will want a much- improved showing.

May said yesterday: "It's vital that we turn around last weekend's performance, and while this one game isn't going to make or break our season, it can set the tone.

"We've been working hard this week to fix what happened down there, and there have been a few video nasties in the sessions.

"So we're confident we have addressed the issues and have what it takes to turn it round."

May, the scorer of six Newcastle tries this season, feels the sixth-placed Falcons, who have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, are approaching a pivotal period of the season.

"During the Six Nations is when a lot of teams come unstuck, and it's up to us to stand up and make it happen so that when we're back to normal, we are in a position to challenge for trophies."

In the day's other Premiership game, Sale centre Jos Baxendell is confident a raft of international call-ups will not affect the Sharks' chances of success at London Irish.

Philippe Saint Andre takes his third-placed side to the Madejski Stadium without eight first-team players due to Six Nations commitments, including England back duo Jason Robinson and Charlie Hodgson.

But 32-year-old Baxendell, a former England international, insists Sale have enough in reserve to counter the threat of the lowly Exiles.

He said: "I don't think it will weaken us that much. Those coming in have played quite a few times for us this season already, especially during the autumn."

London Irish head coach Gary Gold reckons his players have got last weekend's miserable 16-5 loss to Leeds out of their system and is hopeful of upsetting the odds against the Sharks.

"If they can take the professional approach that they have shown in training all week to the Madejski Stadium then we will do ourselves justice against one of the form teams in this season's Premiership," he said.

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