The clubs fought out a thrilling 24-24 draw in heavy snow in the Premiership on November 27, with Fin Smith converting Billy Searle’s 74th-minute try for a share of the spoils.

Other key facts:

• This will be just the second meeting between Newcastle and Worcester in the Challenge Cup, after their semi-final clash back in 2007/08, which the Warriors won 31-16.
• Newcastle have won nine of their last 11 home games in the Challenge Cup, although one of their two defeats in that run came in their most recent game at Kingston Park in the competition, a 33-20 defeat to Cardiff.
• Worcester have lost their last three Challenge Cup fixtures, their longest such run in the competition since suffering seven straight defeats across the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons.
• Newcastle carried the ball for 807 metres per game during their two Challenge Cup games last season. Only Connacht Rugby ran with the ball for more metres on average (950).
• Worcester’s Beck Cutting found a teammate with each of his 11 lineout throws in the Challenge Cup last season. No hooker attempted more throws without missing at least one.

Key quotes:

Luther Burrell (Newcastle Falcons centre): “I really feel like we can target this competition and do well in it this season, because the players we’ve got are good enough.”

Jonathan Thomas (Worcester Warriors head coach): “What we did there last time is a positive reference point. But we have to press re-set and make sure that we earn the right to win the game.”