Carl Hayman is excited byt the prospect of a showdown with Gethin Jenkins © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Carl Hayman | Gethin Jenkins

Tournaments/Tours: European Challenge Cup

Teams: Cardiff Blues | England | Newcastle Falcons | Wales

Newcastle skipper Carl Hayman is preparing for a tough day at the office when Gethin Jenkins and the Cardiff Blues arrive at Kingston Park for their European Challenge Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

The Falcons tight-head, who will join Top 14 high-flyers Toulon at the end of the season, has met Jenkins at Test level when the All Blacks have faced both Wales and the British & Irish Lions and is well aware of the task ahead.

"I have clashed with Gethin on a few occasions at Test level, and he is a great competitor," he said. "He has been involved in the Wales set-up for quite some time and that shows his quality.

"You don't play that many games for your country, and the British & Irish Lions, if you have any weaknesses. He is very good around the field and his scrummaging is very good as well. He is part of a very strong Cardiff Blues pack and it is going to be an interesting battle. Games are won and lost up front so, if we can continue our recent form with our pack, I think we can cause them some problems."

Hayman also wants to sign off from his time at Kingston Park with some silverware, but is not underestimating the challenge posed by the Blues despite their Magners League position.

"It would be great for the club if we could finally reach a major European final and now we are two wins away from giving ourselves a shot at taking a title," he said. "It has been a few years now since the Falcons have won any silverware.

"The Blues are a hard side to face and I know they will be disappointed at coming out of the Heineken Cup. Given their position in the Magners League, it is going to be a very big game for them. When you talk about the big teams in Europe you put the Blues right up there with the best."