The Stephen Jones order for Newcastle Red Bulls regarding Christian Wade

Stephen Jones has ordered his Newcastle Red Bulls side to get the ball wide to former England flyer Christian Wade if they want to start winning matches this season.

Ex-Wasps, Racing 92 and Gloucester star Wade scored his 94th PREM try in last weekend’s defeat to Exeter Chiefs to move to within seven of Chris Ashton’s league record of 101 tries.

The sensational dance down the sideline before cutting in was his first in the league since he returned from Super League Wigan Warriors, and his third for the club after touching down in the Challenge Cup against Perpignan and the Dragons.

Getting the ball to Wade, 34, could be key to any success when La Rochelle visit the North-East in their round of 16 clash on Saturday evening, according to Red Bulls head coach Jones.

“It was a special moment. I think we all agreed he had no right to score that try, and his finish was world-class. That was the main moment for us in the first half, where, you know, it’s pretty much four defenders he beats the score that try.

“It’s our responsibility when we play, not just have ball movement in our game, but be able to get the ball to our best running threats, our best ball carriers at certain times, so that they can have the ability to work defences.

“It’s not just, obviously, getting them the ball, and they’ve got no time and space. You know, we’ve got a duty to create that time and space for someone like Wady. We’d love to create for all our back three players.

“If we can free them and get the ball to them early, and just let them show what talents they’ve got. We can back them up, and we can play some front-foot rugby,” said Jones.

Jones says his side needs to learn the lessons from the defeats they have suffered under his leadership at the hands of the Northampton Saints and the Chiefs.

“We have to make sure we take those learnings on board quickly because I know when we get our house in order and are accurate, we are very, very good.

“It’s our challenge to constantly deliver that for 80 minutes, not just for one half or patches of a game during the course of 80 minutes,” he added.