Newcastle's European Challenge Cup semi-final hopes have been boosted after England star Mathew Tait was declared fit for the Kingston Park encounter against Castres.

Tait, who was left dazed following a crunching collision that saw Harlequins centre De Wet Barry sent off in last weekend's Premiership fixture, has passed the necessary tests and starts at full-back.

England centre Jamie Noon though, faces a late fitness check as he looks to recover in time from a shin injury.

Falcons' acting rugby director Steve Bates said: "We are very positive about both players and, in fact, Mathew will definitely start because he has already passed his cog test and is feeling fine.

"Jamie feels in good shape, but we will have a look at him on Saturday just to double check that there are no lingering problems surrounding his injury."

Castres have left out France captain Lionel Nallet, but Bates expects a fierce examination from a side currently sixth in their domestic league.

He added: "They are an excellent scrummaging side, and although they lost last week at home to Montpellier, they are a team in an excellent run of recent form.

"I've watched their last three games against Montpellier, Montauban and Auch, and while they do have a tendency to change their team selection from week to week, they still look a very robust side.

"The shape of the game will be influenced largely by the conditions which, having checked the weather forecast during the week, are pretty appalling.

"From our point of view we have a very clear and simple game plan which we will look to play no matter what the weather.

"If the snow and wind comes in, as expected, that may disrupt Castres a little, but we will have to wait and see because you never know what this north-east weather is going to do from one minute to the next."

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