Prop Micky Ward popped up on the wing to score the match-sealing try for Newcastle in a hard-fought European Challenge Cup match at Parc Municipal de Brive.

The Falcons finished the pool stages unbeaten, but had to dig deep against a tough French outfit who went all out to make the quarter-finals of the competition.

The boot of Australian veteran Matt Burke kept the Falcons in the match in the opening spell, with his four penalty goals cancelling out a try to Brive's Test centre Ludovic Valbon.

Brive fought back in the third quarter, but late tries to winger James Hoyle and Ward clinched the win and a home quarter-final.

Falcons director of rugby Rob Andrew said afterwards: "We had a few problems at the breakdown and we were frustrated at half-time, but I think we sorted things out in the second spell.

"Our scrum was fantastic and we won 100% of our lineouts. We closed out a match against a French team in France and that's an outstanding feat."