Toulon target maximum points at home

"Our target on Saturday is most definitely a W, to try and beat Newcastle on our own pitch," said Azam, who knows just what it takes to win the coveted trophy after helping ASM Montferrand Auvergne to the title in 1999 and completing the double with Gloucester Rugby in 2006 as he amassed 71 European matches for the two clubs.

"And, on the day, we will see if we can get anything more, though I think that will be tough.

"Obviously we are disappointed we did not win at Newcastle but, in those conditions, it was very difficult to play any rugby.

"In those conditions anyone could have won the game but fair play to them, they were the ones who came away with the win.

"We were satisfied with the losing bonus point - and the fact that we did not pick up any new injuries - and now we can concentrate on the home match because we want to qualify for the competition's quarter-finals.

"We want to try and progress as far as we can - it is a good competition for us to be involved in - and we will give it our best shot.

"We knew before the match in Newcastle that they are a very tough team who work very hard for each other and are difficult to beat and we know just what to expect in the return match."

Toulon have a fine home record this season - with wins over Biarritz Olympique, Stade Francais Paris, Perpignan and Brive in the Top 14 to their credit - and Newcastle are well aware of the challenge ahead.

They can point to 28 tournament victories over French teams, win No 28 coming as they made it three from three in this campaign in the tight 6-3 success over Toulon last Thursday, and that means they now lead the group by three points from Toulon with matches home to Petrarca Rugby and away at Lyon Rugby to follow after their trip to the south of France.

And Falcons coach Alan Tait accepted that local knowledge was a key factor in the Round 3 win, declaring: "It was a really hard wind to read - we train a lot with the wind in Newcastle which everyone knows but I don't think anyone was expecting it to be like that.

"Jimmy (Gopperth) said that he couldn't get the better of it as the wind kept changing direction but fair play to both teams.

"Our lads came out on top and we did look to play a fair bit of rugby which I always encourage. We have come out of these tight games on the wrong end of the score line in recent times and to come out of this game with a win is great.

"This is a young side that is growing together and you can see these players developing and enjoying each other's company - they are all working hard for one another. We gave guys who have not featured much in the Premiership a chance and it was a real squad effort."