Newcastle completed an all-English lineup for the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup final with a 40-13 victory over Castres at Kingston Park.

On a bitterly cold evening that saw a range of weather conditions, the Falcons recovered from a sluggish first half to eventually score five tries and end a run that has seen them lose their last four games.

Newcastle join Sale, Worcester and last season's beaten finalists Bath in the semi-finals.

Wing John Rudd touched down in the fifth minute for the home side, but rather than build on their promising start Newcastle relaxed and let the French side back into the game almost immediately.

Newcastle were caught napping six minutes later when lock Joe Tekori slipped through a ruck close to their line before touching down unchallenged.

Tekori's try was converted by full-back Romain Teulet, who also slotted an early penalty, to give the visitors a 10-5 lead.

Johnny Wilkinson (pictured) cut the deficit with the first of his two penalties moments later, but it was cancelled out by another effort from Teulet.

A Wilkinson drop goal in the 28th minute took advantage of a decent break by scrum-half James Grindal and he then secured his side a 14-13 lead with another penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Whatever stand-in head coach Steve Bates said to his side at half-time it certainly worked as they were far more purposeful after the break.

Four minutes after the restart, prop and man-of-the-match Carl Hayman completed a flowing move for the Falcons' second try, which Wilkinson converted from the touchline to put the home side 21-13 ahead.

Replacement Tom Dillon, who enjoyed an excellent game off the bench, touched down 10 minutes later, before Grindal scampered over from 50m after a Teulet chip had fallen invitingly into his hands.

Newcastle were rewarded for their adventure in the 73rd minute when substitute Brent Wilson finished off a series of attacks for their fifth try of the evening.

The win was Bates's his first since taking charge last month, but the Falcons will need to find much more consistency if they are to progress any further in the competition.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport