ALAN Tait hopes take on a fully-loaded Toulon side on Thursday night at Kingston Park despite admitting his own Newcastle Falcons team will be juggled for the Amlin Challenge Cup clash.

The two unbeaten sides in Pool Two lock horns in the race for a quarter-final berth in the first of two back-to-back clashes, Newcastle travelling to the French Riviera a week on Saturday for the return leg.

With Falcons greats Jonny Wilkinson and Carl Hayman among the potential names on show for the big-spending visitors, the head coach said: “They have a huge squad, but we will see what they turn up with in Europe.

“For this group of players they would love to be challenged by all the big-guns Toulon could throw at us, but it will be a stiff ask even if they put a second-string out with the depth they bring. They have a huge amount of internationals, and Jonny knows Kingston Park probably better than most or all of our current squad with the amount of time he spent here.

“Bring them on is what I say, and I am sure it will be a great night for the players and supporters to have a real big European occasion to look forward to. It is live on TV, we should have a decent crowd in and we will give it a good go.”

Amazed by the depth that their visitors can boast, Tait added: “I was on their club website looking at their squad and when you see they have had Jonny and Matt Giteau starting at the weekend in the league at Toulouse you sort of get an idea of what firepower they have.

“Carl does not seem to be a regular starter, which shows their strength, but I have been honest with the boys and told them I am going to freshen up our own selection for these two games.

“I have told them over the next fortnight I am going to mix it up and throw a few lads in to keep the squad fresh.

“Then come the Sale game on Boxing Day. It is all in the mixer as to who gets in for the Premiership return.”