By Ridley Hall
May 10 2002

The prospect of an undignfied play-off confrontation at Gloucester looms for Falcons if they fail to win at Saints on Sunday. Now there's an extraincentive for Rob to motivate his troops .. that's in addition to a guaranteed Heineken Cup spot.

Falcons are currently fifth only two points behind Irish and a home game in the play-offs. Irish are at Tigers so may well remain on 57 points.

Victory for Falcons at Saints would therefore move us into fourth spot and a home game against Irish in the play-offs.

But Saints are capable of also overhauling the Irish if they get a try scoring bonus point in beating us.

Still tuned in? Well if Saints beat us but miss out on the bonus point [sadly, not beyond the realms of possibility] then we would finish 6th. Glaws are currently third and could overtake Sale. But the West Country boys are away at Leeds while Sale are at home to Quins so both are likely to win.

Yup. Glaws v Falcons is a distinct possibility. If it happens will Walkinshaw stick by his promise not to allopw Rob in unless he apologises for his remarks following the Taione and Azzam incident. Let's hope so.

I'd still like think we could do ourselves a heap of good by beating Saints. They won at Bristol in midweek, and have improved out of sight over the past few months, so it will be a very tall order.

Both clubs are checking on knocks from the midweek matches before choosing sides but there's every chance Pat Lam will make a sentimental return to Franklin's Gardens. Having starred for both clubs it would be a fitting way to end his league career.