NEWCASTLE FALCONS’ hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stage of the European Challenge Cup suffered a major setback as they crashed to a 42-12 defeat at Lyon.

Falcons have slipped to third place in their group after a difficult night at the Matmut Stadium that saw their much-changed team comprehensively outplayed.

Newcastle actually claimed an early lead when Alex Tait raced the length of the field to slip in Daniel Temm, but tries from Sami Mavinga, Paul Bonnefond and Felix Lambey ensured Lyon entered the half-time interval with a 21-5 advantage.

Rob Vickers claimed Falcons’ second try at the start of the second half, with Brett Connon’s successful conversion reducing the visitors’ arrears to nine points.

Bonnefond’s second try effectively settled things for Lyon, and secured the home team’s bonus point with ten minutes left.

Agustin Figuerola extended Lyon’s lead in the closing stages, before Bonnefond completed his hat-trick in the final minute of the game.

The teams meet again at Kingston Park on December 18, although with Welsh side Ospreys having strengthened their position at the top of the table with a resounding 59-7 win at Grenoble, it is hard to see how Falcons can prolong their European interest into the knock-out phase.

Newcastle Falcons: Catterick (Marshall 57), Tait, Waldouck, Burdon, Kibirige, Connon (Delany 57), Egerton; Rogers (Vickers 40), Sowrey (Nelson 60), D Wilson (Foster 26), Botha, Civetta, G Young, Temm, Orr (M Wilson 62).