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Watch: Newcastle Falcons pile on 39 phases to stun another French giant

By Online Editors
Sinoti Sinoti of Newcastle Falcons. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

A stunning attacking effort in over time has captured the Falcons second major victory in as many weeks in the Heineken Champions Cup, after refusing to go down to French giants Montpellier.

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The match extended until the 90th minute as Falcons threw the kitchen sink at Montpellier in search of a game-winning score.

Montpellier defended their line for 39 phases before Callum Chick crashed over in a Herculean, never-say-never team effort.

The movement started deep in their own half with only 20 seconds remaining on the clock, before recieving a relieving penalty to have one final crack. Inch-by-inch they crept closer with a forward-led assault by the Falcons pack, piling on carry after carry to break the visitors down.

For a side that has languished at the bottom of the Premiership ladder, the Champions Cup has been a season-reviver for the Falcons, after stunning Galacticos Toulon last weekend they have followed it up with an even better encore over Montpellier.

Director of Rugby Dean Richards insists that his side are still “minnows” in the Pool following the two shock wins.

“Things haven’t changed. We are still the minnows and we still have absolutely nothing to lose. We weren’t given a hope in hell of winning one, never mind two games in the pool.

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“We play Edinburgh in December and they are a fantastic team; they are on fire. They have something like 15 current full internationals. We’re not in that position so we still have nothing to lose.”

Montpellier head coach Vern Cotter praised the hosts for their ability to stay composed at the end and take their chance.

“They managed to keep the ball for eight minutes at the end of the game to win and you have to give them credit for that – it’s a sign of a good team.

In other news:

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Bull Shark 9 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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