By CHARLES WILLIAMS

Influential: Toby Flood

A PERFORMANCE brimming with guts and character saw Newcastle Falcons move to the top of European Challenge Cup Pool 1 in South-west France last night.
A converted try from Jon Welsh and some heroic defence near their own line during the final moments of a full-blooded encounter saw the visitors lay down their credentials as serious contenders for their first silverware since 2004.
Shrewd game management of the final phases was to the fore in a game which saw them trailing until after the hour mark, Dean Richards’ side carrying their fin...