Bates was disappointed with elements of Falcons' performance

Newcastle Falcons head coach Steve Bates has warned his players they must be focused ahead of Thursday's trip to Brive in the European Challenge Cup.

Falcons eased through Saturday's 63-0 win against Cetransa but Bates believes vast improvements are needed to gain a result against the fancied French side.

"We have to be more disciplined in terms of our own game," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"The game against Brive will be played differently and we will react to that."

Bates handed former rugby league wing Danny Williams a European debut which came to an end with an ankle injury after just 36 minutes.

It was long enough for Williams to make an impact as his tearing run created the opening try and earned the former Leeds player a glowing response from the Falcons head coach.

"Danny did well for the first 20 minutes when he was on the field," he said.

"He's turned his ankle but he he wouldn't have played in Brive any way.

"It's probably a step too far for him, but he looked sharp when he had the opportunity but I think Brive will be something for another day."

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