RUGBY UNION: Victory over Newcastle would be a great tonic, says Down

A glance at the league table shows how vital beating the Falcons would be for basement boys Welsh.

But second row Down feels it would have a longer term effect as well.

“Because we are going into the European matches after this, that gives us a bit of space,” he said.

“Momentum going forward will be a big thing if we can win this week.

“We will come back to the Premiership in better shape.”

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Down added: “We are aware of what’s happening in the table.

“But we just want to focus on ourselves and correct our mistakes from previous matches.

“Results-wise, we weren’t expecting this, but this is where we are.

“We want to prove ourselves and we are working hard to get ourselves out of the trouble we face.

“We have done a lot of stuff really well, but when we do make mistakes, it is really costing us.”

Having suffered five heavy defeats on their return to the Premiership, Down admits Welsh would love to end that dismal run in front of their home fans at the Kassam Stadium.

He said: “When we played Gloucester there, for 60 minutes, we showed what we can do.

“We want to show that for the full 80.

“It will be great if Newcastle on Saturday is the game where things turn around for us.”

Down joined Welsh from Cardiff Blues, head coach Justin Burnell’s former side, last summer.

Although life in the English Premiership has proved very tough so far, the 27-year-old Welshman remains happy to be plying his trade in Oxfordshire.

“I always knew it was going to be a challenge,” he said.

“The Premiership is probably the best league in the world.

“That’s why I came here – because I wanted to challenge myself at this level.”

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