Tough task for Newcastle at Pool A leaders Cardiff

Cardiff have taken maximum points from their opening two games, thrashing CA Brive 41-0 at home before marching to a 47-10 success at Newcastle.

Falcons went down 22-8 at Connacht Rugby prior to that Round 2 defeat and are still searching for their first point in the pool.

However, Cardiff have lost their last two matches in the United Rugby Championship, both of which were at home, and Newcastle come into the game off the back of a stunning 45-26 win over Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership.

The Pool A match kicks off at 13:00 (UK & Irish time) on Sunday at Cardiff Arms Park, and can be watched on Viaplay-Premier Sports and FloRugby.

Sherratt: “The Challenge Cup at the moment, in all reality, is one that gives a lot of chances for clubs to get some silverware and we’ll be going for two wins over the next two weeks, which should give us a home last 16, which is massively important.”

Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder: “We feel like we haven’t given a good account of ourselves in our two opening games and that’s definitely in the back of our minds.”

Cardiff Rugby

• Cardiff have scored 14 tries and 88 points – more than any other club to date. Josh Adams is the competition’s joint-top try scorer, with three.
• They have won 24 turnovers, more than any other team, including the most maul (seven) and tackle (seven) turnovers.
• Cardiff have conceded just one try so far – no team has conceded fewer.

Newcastle Falcons

• Newcastle have made more forward passes (three) and more intercepted passes (three) than any other team.
• With only two to their tally, the Falcons have scored the joint-fewest tries in the tournament so far.
• Ollie Fletcher threw more successful lineouts in Round 2 than any other player (18), missing just one.